One of the things I love about summer is how easy meal preparation becomes. There’s something about summer that inspires ease and freshness. This usually translates well into the cooking I do (or don’t do) during the summer.
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh food during the summer.
First of All: Grazing Goodness
I “graze” a lot more during the summer than I do the rest of the year. The good news is that most of this grazing is done on fresh, health foods. It’s much easier to set out berries, cut carrots, and early peas during the summer. Often, we just set out a tray of fruits and veggies, and just graze. It’s a good way to fill up on healthy foods. Since we have a garden, we start grazing on produce as soon as it is ready to harvest.
Add a little salsa to the mix for the veggies, and you have a tangy treat. You can also stir lemon pepper into cottage cheese for a fresh take on veggie dip. With a little healthy Greek yogurt and some honey, you can create a tasty fruit dip to go with just about any fruit. You can also experiment with other flavors, like vanilla extract and cinnamon.
Other Easy and Fast Summer Food Preparation Ideas
If you like to grill, do up or fish, but add a bit of spice. With a little chili powder, lemon juice, and olive oil, you can whip up a quick marinade for grilled lean meats. Cut a prepare thick pineapple rings, and you can grill those as well. They make a fun and fresh treat to go with the meal, and it’s pretty healthy.
You can also grill corn on the cob with a tasty twist. First, peel back the husks and remove the silk. Grill the corn (this is a great with chicken or fish), and when it’s done brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and paprika. You can also sprinkle with a little asiago or feta cheese for an extra treat.
Summertime spaghetti is one the things my husband makes that’s delicious. In a pan on the stove, saute zucchini, mushrooms, red peppers, and onions in olive oil and with your favorite Italian herbs (I like basil, oregano, and thyme). Toss with prepared spaghetti and grape tomatoes. It’s quick, easy, and fresh.
If you must have potato salad, you can make it without mayonnaise. Use small red potatoes, boiled and quartered (you don’t even need to peel them), plain yogurt, and low-fat sour cream. You can add sliced olives, chopped scallions, radishes, celery, parsley, or whatever else you like in your potato salad. Toss it all together with lemon juice and salt and pepper, and you’re set.
Pita pizzas are fun treats that I like to have with my son. It’s really easy. Just get a package of pocketless Greek pitas. You can put a little sauce on each pita, along with your favorite toppings, including cheese and meat. Broil in the oven until cheese is melted. You can also place these on the grill top.
What’s your favorite summer treat?
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