5 Refreshing and Easy Summer Recipes
by Catherine Santino
It's finally summertime — and with that comes sunshine, pool days, vacations, and amazing food. All of the best fruits and veggies are now in season, and produce stands are in full swing.
The hot weather is likely making you crave something refreshing, so why not try out a few easy summer recipes? With a bounty of fresh produce available, there are a number of meals and snacks to choose from in the summertime. And luckily, there are tons of ways to prepare dishes without ever turning on the oven (a blessing in the humid weather).
Here are five delicious and easy summer recipe ideas that the whole family will love.
1. Homemade Ice Pops
Easy, healthy, delicious — what more could anyone want from one recipe? Simply blend your favorite summer fruits together in a blender or food processor, pour the liquid into ice pop trays, place the trays in your freezer, and enjoy within hours. The kids will love this one, too, and they probably won't even guess that it's healthy!
2. Kebabs
It's barbecue season, so take advantage of the outdoor weather and fire up the grill to make healthy — and super easy — kebabs. To create a flavorful marinade, add one cup of brown sugar, one cup of oil, half a cup of soy sauce, and half a cup of vinegar to a large, zip-top plastic bag and mix the ingredients together. Then place the chicken breasts in the bag and let everything marinate for at least 30 minutes. Once ready, simply skewer the boneless chicken alongside some of your favorite summer veggies (zucchini and tomatoes are always great) and throw them on the grill for a crispy, smoky, delicious dinner that tastes like summer.
3. Caprese Sandwich
Looking for something light and tasty to throw in your picnic basket? A caprese sandwich is always a good choice! Simply slice up some fresh farm tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves and place them on a piece of focaccia bread. Top it off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze (and another piece of bread) and you've found your go-to summer sandwich.
There's no stove or oven involved, making this meal not only easy to assemble but easy to enjoy in the summer heat. All that's left to do? Pack your beach towel and chair!
4. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Is there anything better than fresh corn on the cob in the summertime? Answer: No.
Grab a few ears of corn from your local farm stand. Peel back the corn husks and remove the silk before replacing the husk and securely wrapping each ear of corn in aluminum foil. Then, throw them on the top rack of a preheated grill to accompany a meal. You can also enjoy them as a standalone snack. Try seasoning with Sriracha or red pepper flakes if you like a kick, or sprinkle with basil and Parmesan for an Italian-inspired twist.
5. No-Bake Pie
It's okay to treat yourself once in a while, so why not indulge in some easy summer recipes? Try this simple recipe for a no-bake, cherry chocolate pie that incorporates fresh cherries and hot fudge. It's an irresistible summer treat. You'll definitely have to eat this one quickly before it melts — but that likely won't be an issue since it's so delicious!