As the summer temperatures rise, cooking a hot supper can sometimes be the last thing on your mind. But you don’t have to sacrifice a delicious and healthy meal just because you don’t want to turn on the oven! By incorporating some cold dishes into your menu planning, you can whip up a summer feast that will leave your family satisfied without making you sweat.
Salads for Summer
One of the best things about salads is that they can be made ahead of time and served chilled, making them perfect for a summer supper. Salads are perfect for the summer not just because they help you cool down but because of all the produce that is available this season.
Arugula, corn, cucumber, zucchini, and tomatoes are only a few favorites from the list to choose from. Just chop up your favorite vegetables, add some protein in the form of chicken, shrimp, or tofu, and toss with your favorite dressing.
Don’t like to eat raw vegetables? No problem! You can quickly blanch most veggies in boiling water to take the edge off without losing any of their crunch. And if you’re really short on time, there’s no shame in using pre-washed and pre-cut veggies from the grocery store.
Salads are perfect on their own or paired with protein like black beans, chicken, or salmon—the variety is endless and can be tailored to your own preferences or what you have on hand.
Cold Soups for a Hot Night
Another fantastic summer supper option is cold soup. Like salad, cold soup can be made ahead of time and doesn’t require any cooking, making it ideal for a hot night. Most cold soups only require a food processor or high-speed blender. Unless you want to get even richer cold soups by cooking some potatoes or other vegetables and chilling the soup overnight.
To keep cold soups healthy and full of nutrients avoid heavy creams or other dairy products and stick to in-season and locally grown produce. If you want a thicker and more satisfying cold soup blend in bread or avocado to replace the dairy.
For a quick and refreshing gazpacho recipe, all you will need are three tomatoes, two cucumbers, one green bell pepper, one red bell pepper, a small red onion, and a few cloves of garlic. Peel, deseed and dice all the ingredients and add to a blender with three cups of tomato juice. Blend until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
Other cold soup recipes you should try this summer include watermelon gazpacho, corn and crab bisque, and cold beet borscht.
Serve with a Slice of Watermelon
Summer suppers wouldn’t be complete without a refreshing slice of watermelon for dessert. Not only is watermelon a classic summer fruit, but it’s also packed with nutrients like lycopene, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants.
If you want to get a little fancy with your watermelon, try one of these recipes: watermelon salad with feta and mint, grilled watermelon with lime and chili, or watermelon sorbet.
No matter what you make for summer supper, remember to keep it light and refreshing. And most importantly, don’t forget the tall glass of iced tea or lemonade!
How to Store Vegetables and Fruits Longer
The hot weather can make fresh fruits and vegetables spoiling faster than usual. If you want them to last a little longer, storing them properly can help. Check out these tips:
- Store fruits and vegetables in the fridge as soon as you bring them home from the store.
- Wash them before storing (but not all at once – only wash what you’re going to eat within the next day or two).
- Use plastic bags with small holes punched in them, or storage containers with ventilation.
- Don’t store fruits and vegetables together. Some fruits give off ethylene gas, which can cause vegetables to spoil faster.
- Check on your stored fruits and vegetables regularly and use the older ones first. Don’t forget to use them up before they go bad!
- If you have any leftover produce that you won’t be able to eat before it goes bad, consider freezing or canning it for later. Frozen fruits are perfect for smoothies, while canned fruits can be used in pies or other desserts.
If you follow these tips, your fruits and vegetables will last a little longer, giving you more time to enjoy summer! Have green fingers? Why not try growing your own vegetables as well? When you buy salads in the store, you can never be sure how long they’ve been sitting there. With your own homegrown vegetables, you can be confident that they’re fresh.
Final Words
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy all the fresh produce that is available. So take advantage of it while you can and don’t forget to try some new recipes too. You’ll be glad you did when the cold weather comes back around!
What are your favorite summer supper recipes? Let us know in the comments below!
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