Summertime is not the time to be cranking the oven roasting a leg of lamb for hours. Or even turning on the crock pot to stew some beef. When the temps are high, I want light, fresh and minimal stove/oven time. Here are a few dishes that I’ve made and loved for their ease, their freshness and the fact that my kitchen isn’t 90 degrees when I’m done cooking.
via Ezra Pound Cake
These are super versatile! You can eat them as above with chopped avocado and tomato, or with the best salsa ever. But they will blow your mind with leftover strips of flank steak and a poached egg. Oh my.
Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza
from Cooking Light
I was so surprised with how this turned out! Really, really delish.
via Cook Au Vin
Don’t be concerned if you can’t get the corn to go on the skewer – they work just as well grilled separately. The Old Bay sauce on these kebabs is amazing!
via Lottie + Doof
Super good. I added a few red pepper flakes to mine and, um, tripled the garlic.
Charred Corn Tacos with Zucchini-Radish Slaw
via Smitten Kitchen
Charred corn is so easy if you have a gas stove! I didn’t make these into tacos, but it was still fantastic just piled on a plate.
Cold Avocado and Cucumber Soup
via Tasting Table
I love cold soups in the summer and this soup will cool you down for sure. The sour cream is what makes it.
from Joy the Baker
A great lunch option and so fresh! I gobbled this up really fast – it’s hard not to, the dressing and the creamy avocados with the crisp edamame and radishes is just too good.
This recipe makes a ton – perfect for family dinner or a potluck. And it’s light and colorful, full of summer veggies and just really yummy.
Desserts
Fresh Strawberry (or Raspberry) Yogurt Cake
from A Spicy Perspective
Truthfully, I didn’t make this exact cake. I made this one – a Raspberry Yogurt Cake. But there’s no picture. The one pictured is very similar, and you can totally sub out the strawberries for any summer berry! I bet it would be divine with blackberries.
via Cookies & Cups
No fire pit – no problem! Get your s’mores fix with this crazy pie. So easy to make and just 20 minutes in the oven until pure s’mores bliss!
These little gems are really, really good. The coconut gives them an island taste – reminded me of something I had at a luau in Hawaii.
Drinks
via Joy the Baker
I love making this – way better than anything you’d find in a can and pretty darn simple to make, especially with a food processor. Plus, homemade ginger ale is something the whole family can enjoy, just add a splash of bourbon for the adults!
Oh wow. Margaritas are good, obviously. But when you add the coolness of a cucumber, they’re taken to another level. Try these, for real.
Let’s play “Which One Would You Try First?” – I know I’m going to try the Cold Avocado and Cucumber Soup again soon!
