"Summertime and the livin' is easy ..." "Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer ..." "It's summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime ..."

Familiar song lyrics indicate that the short months of sweltering sun, comforting shade, gently swaying hammocks, lounge chairs in the yard, overflowing picnic baskets and fired-up grills are not to be met with a lot of fuss and bother.

The same applies to summer's cuisine. Let these cookout-friendly recipes match the rhythm of the season and be deliciously quick, uncomplicated, refreshing and fun.

I made the Caribbean burgers and accompanying slaw as "something different" for my vegetarian daughter Suzanne during a Labor Day visit to her town.

The second sandwich has a popular salad dressing flavor done up in a burger. Salsa wakes up the taste buds in the optional topping.

Bacon burgers are made simpler by using ready-to-go bacon in a bag. The taste of the packaged cooked bits has much improved over the years. The real bits are certainly better than those deep red-orange "pork-flavored Grape Nuts" (as I dubbed them) of old. You know the ones.

In case you want to sustain summer partying after your burger event, Aug. 8 is National Zucchini Day. Get out and celebrate!

Reach Judy Grigoraci at ...@suddenlink.net

Vegetarian Caribbean Jerk

Burger with Caribbean Coleslaw

 Makes 4 servings.

 2  tablespoons Marzetti light slaw dressing

 2  tablespoons light mayonnaise

 1 1/2  teaspoons McCormick Caribbean jerk seasoning

 1 1/2  cups packaged coleslaw mix

 4  vegetarian burger patties (recommended Boca Griller)

 Whole-wheat hamburger buns

IN BOWL, mix slaw dressing, mayonnaise and seasoning; set aside. Prepare burger as desired - grill, pan-fried or broiled (or according to package directions on the Boca box). Once one side is heated (or cooked if meat patty), turn.

USING HALF the slaw dressing mixture, spoon equal amounts over the heated top of the burgers and allow burgers to cook/brown on the uncooked side until heated or cooked through. Stir remaining slaw dressing mixture into the coleslaw mix. Top cooked burgers with slaw and place in bun.

Notes: Burgers may also be made of ground beef or ground turkey. For ease, select the burgers that are already formed in patties. May add a slice of desired favorite cheese on burgers.

Ranch Burger

Makes 4 to 6 patties

1  pound ground turkey or lean ground beef

 1  envelope buttermilk recipe ranch dressing mix

 1/4  cup taco sauce - mild, medium or hot

 1  beaten egg

 1/3  cup shredded Cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese

MIX all ingredients gently but well. Shape into patties and cook as desired. Serve on buns with trimmings of your choice and Spicy Salsa Topping (recipe below).

Spicy Salsa Topping

Equal parts mayonnaise and your favorite salsa (as hot as you like). May drain the salsa in mesh strainer, if desired, before mixing into mayonnaise.

Bacon Burgers

Makes 4 patties

 1  pound ground beef or ground turkey

 1/4  cup real bacon bits

 1  tablespoon McCormick hamburger seasoning or McCormick Montreal steak seasoning

 1  teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

MIX ingredients gently but well. Shape into patties and cook as desired. Serve on buns or rolls of your choice.