Summer is a time to kick back and take it easy. But you've still got to eat, right? In our Gourmet Rooms we firmly believe that easy and delicious can coexist. So today's post is all about simple gourmet secrets that might fool even you into thinking you've spent all day in the kitchen. Be sure to scroll all the way down for a super simple gourmet recipe for Corn & Black Bean Salad.

The number one way to spice up your summer is with gourmet sauces. High quality premade sauces are the simplest way to take grilled chicken, steaks, etc. to a higher level. The sauces are also a quick trick for tasty dips and salads. (See the No Bones Party Dip & Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad simple gourmet recipes.) Stop in our gourmet rooms to sample some of our favorites. We have a large variety of sauces to suit every taste. Get creative with Anna Mae's Sweet & Smokey Chipotle Sauce by Robert Rothschild Farms—the perfect blend of sweet and spicy with a kick. For an American classic flavor, Roadhouse Steak Sauce by Stonewall Kitchen is your poison.

Cedar plank grilling is a simple gourmet secret to add special flavor to barbecue dishes. Just soak the plank and put your meat or fish directly on the plank. Cover while it cooks to give your entree a smokey flavor. The hardest part about the process is resisting the urge to lift the lid and peek at the yummy progress. Our cedar plank sets from Gourmet Village come with rubs in a variety of flavors. Here are pictures of our guests enjoying plank-grilled delights at our Grilling Seminar earlier this summer.

Whether you have a garden with cucumbers aplenty or are looking for a fun and simple gourment project for summer, check out our pickling spices.  Simply mix the packet with vinegar and sugar and toss in cucumbers, cauliflower, onions, or whatever veggie you want. It's a healthy and refreshing snack with "made it myself" bragging rights. Try Grandma's Icebox Pickles by Pam's Pantry or  Chilled Dill Pickle Mix and IceBox Pickle Mix from Country Home Creations.

 A Simple Gourmet Recipe

Corn & Black Bean Salad

1 Jar Stonewall Kitchen Corn Relsih*

15oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

4oz Monterey jack cheese, cut into cubes

1 rips avocado cut into cubes

Mix all ingredients and enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips.

* Available in our Gourmet Foods Room.