Summer is the season of sun-kissed skin, lazy days by the pool, and refreshing drinks. It’s also the perfect time to experiment with new recipes that are simple, delicious, and easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a picnic in the park, these 10 summer recipes are sure to impress your friends and family. From savory grilled chicken with peach salsa to sweet grilled peaches drizzled with honey and lavender – we’ve got you covered! So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
Recipe #1: Watermelon Salad
Watermelon Salad is the perfect summer dish that will leave you refreshed and satisfied on a hot day. This simple recipe only requires a handful of ingredients, making it easy to prepare in no time.
To make Watermelon Salad, you’ll need sliced watermelon chunks, feta cheese crumbles, fresh mint leaves and balsamic glaze. The combination of sweet juicy watermelon with tangy feta cheese creates a delicious blend of flavors that’s both savory and refreshing.
When preparing this salad, presentation is key! Arrange the watermelon slices in a circular pattern on your serving platter or bowl. Sprinkle the feta cheese crumbles over the top of the watermelon slices and add some fresh mint leaves for an added pop of color.
Drizzle balsamic glaze over everything before serving to give your Watermelon Salad an extra burst of flavor. It’s also great as an appetizer or side dish at any summer gathering!
Whether you’re hosting a BBQ party or just looking for something light and healthy to eat during those warm sunny days, Watermelon Salad is definitely worth trying out!
READ ALSO: 10 Ways To Spice Up Your Grill This Summer: A list of 10 ways to make your grilling experience that much better this summer.
Recipe #2: Grilled Chicken with Peach Salsa
One of the most perfect pairings for summer is grilled chicken with peach salsa. The combination of juicy grilled chicken and sweet, tangy salsa made from fresh peaches will be a hit at any backyard barbecue or outdoor picnic.
To make this dish, start by marinating your chicken in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs like thyme and rosemary. While the chicken marinates, prepare your peach salsa by combining diced peaches with red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a touch of honey for sweetness.
Once your grill is hot and ready to go, place the marinated chicken on the grates and cook until it’s fully cooked through. Then top each piece with generous spoonfuls of peach salsa before serving.
The result is a flavorful dish that’s both savory and sweet at the same time. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make! So next time you’re looking for an impressive yet simple recipe for summer entertaining or just a weeknight dinner outdoors under stars give this one try!
Recipe #3: Panzanella Salad
Panzanella Salad is a classic Italian bread salad that’s perfect for summer. The dish consists of toasted bread cubes, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and basil all tossed together with a light vinaigrette. It’s simple to make and requires minimal effort.
The key to making the perfect Panzanella Salad is using good quality ingredients. Make sure to use ripe tomatoes and crusty bread that will hold up well in the salad without becoming too soggy.
To make this delicious salad, start by cutting day-old or stale bread into bite-sized pieces and then toast them in the oven until they are crispy on the outside but still slightly chewy on the inside.
Next, chop your tomatoes into large chunks along with some thinly sliced red onion and cucumber. Toss these vegetables together with your toasted bread cubes before drizzling everything with a simple dressing made from olive oil, vinegar and salt.
Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over top of everything before serving your delicious Panzanella Salad!
This recipe is perfect for those hot summer days where you want something light yet filling at the same time. It’s also an excellent way to use up any leftover bread you may have lying around!
Recipe #4: Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowls
If you’re a fan of sushi, then Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowls are definitely worth trying this summer. This Hawaiian-inspired dish is light, refreshing and packed with flavor.
The star ingredient of this dish is the fresh tuna. Make sure to choose high-quality sashimi-grade tuna that has been properly handled and stored. The spicy marinade gives it an extra kick; mixing soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha sauce and lime juice together for a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
To assemble the bowl, start by adding rice as your base. Then add chopped cucumbers, avocado slices and green onions on top of your rice bed before placing the marinated tuna at the center. To finish off your poke bowl sprinkle some sesame seeds over everything for added texture.
These bowls make great lunches or dinners when you want something filling but not heavy during hot summer days!
Recipe #5: Grilled Peaches with Honey and Lavender
Grilled Peaches with Honey and Lavender is a simple yet elegant dessert that’s perfect for summer. The combination of juicy peaches, sweet honey, and fragrant lavender creates a deliciously unique flavor profile.
To make this dish, simply slice the peaches in half and remove the pit. Brush them with olive oil and grill them on medium heat until they’re lightly charred. Once done, drizzle some honey over the top of each peach half and sprinkle some dried lavender on top.
The sweetness of the honey pairs perfectly with the slight tanginess of grilled peaches while adding a touch of floral flavor from lavender creates an intriguing twist to your ordinary fruit-based desserts.
This recipe can be served as it is or paired up with vanilla ice cream to make it even more indulgent. It’s quick, easy-to-make but full-flavored – definitely something worth trying out!
Recipe #5: Easy Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken is a classic summer dish that never goes out of style. This easy recipe requires only a few ingredients and can be cooked on the grill or in a grill pan indoors.
To start, marinate your chicken breasts in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This will add extra flavor to the meat and help keep it moist during cooking.
Next, preheat your grill to medium-high heat or heat up your indoor grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken breasts on the grill or pan and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked through with no pink inside.
Once done cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips or cubes to serve as desired. You can enjoy this grilled chicken on its own as an entrée or use it in salads, wraps, sandwiches – endless possibilities!
Recipe #7: Summertime Salad
Summertime Salad is a perfect addition to your summer menu. It’s light, refreshing, and packed with nutrients that are good for you. This salad is easy to make and requires minimal effort, making it the ideal meal on hot days.
To start off, gather all the ingredients needed for the recipe like mixed greens, sliced strawberries, diced avocadoes, crumbled feta cheese, chopped pecans or walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Mix all of them in a large bowl until everything is well-combined.
One of the best things about this salad is that you can easily customize it according to your preferences. If you prefer more crunchiness in your salads then add some cucumber slices or croutons. And if you want to add more protein then grilled chicken or shrimp would be great options as well.
The combination of sweet and tangy flavors from the strawberries and balsamic vinaigrette complement each other perfectly while adding a burst of freshness into every bite. The creamy texture from avocados adds richness while nuts give an extra crunch that makes this dish even more delicious.
Summertime Salad is an excellent choice when looking for a light yet satisfying meal during summertime gatherings or picnics at the park. With its vibrant colors and flavorsome taste sensations; there’s no doubt this dish will become one of your favorite go-to salads!
Recipe #8: Perfect Picnic Potato Salad
If you’re planning a picnic this summer, the perfect side dish is a classic potato salad. This recipe takes that classic and adds some extra flavor with the addition of bacon and green onions.
To start, boil your potatoes until they are fork-tender. While they cool down, fry up some bacon until it’s crispy. Crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix together mayonnaise, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper to create the dressing for your salad. Once your potatoes have cooled down enough to handle, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Combine the potatoes with sliced green onions and chopped celery in a large mixing bowl. Pour over the prepared dressing mixture and toss everything together until coated evenly.
Finally add in your crumbled bacon bits on top of everything else for an extra layer of flavor! Serve chilled or at room temperature – it’s sure to be a hit at any summer gathering!
Recipe #9: Grilled Veggies and Hummus Wrap
If you’re looking for a healthy and satisfying lunch or dinner option, this grilled veggies and hummus wrap is perfect for you. It’s easy to make and packed with nutritious ingredients that your body will thank you for.
To start off, gather all the vegetables of your choice – zucchini, bell peppers, onions, eggplants – and slice them into thin strips. Toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper and any other seasoning of your choice before grilling them until they’re tender.
Next up is the hummus spread. You can either buy pre-made hummus from the store or make it yourself at home using chickpeas, tahini sauce, garlic cloves and lemon juice. Spread a generous amount onto a whole wheat wrap to add creaminess to every bite.
Assemble everything together by adding some fresh greens like spinach leaves or arugula on top of the hummus spread before placing the grilled veggies on top. Roll tightly and enjoy!
This recipe is not only delicious but also vegan-friendly which makes it an excellent addition to any summer meal plan!
Recipe #10: Summer Berry Crumble
Summer Berry Crumble is a classic dessert that combines the sweetness of fresh berries with the buttery crunch of crumble topping. This recipe is incredibly easy to make and can be customized with your favorite summer fruits.
To start, preheat your oven to 375°F. In a bowl, mix together sliced strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and sugar. Spread the fruit mixture into an 8-inch baking dish.
For the crumble topping, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in another bowl. Cut in chilled butter until it forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the fruit.
Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until golden brown on top and bubbly around the edges. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
This Summer Berry Crumble is perfect for any occasion – from backyard barbecues to family gatherings. And since it’s made with fresh seasonal fruit – you know you’re getting all those healthy antioxidants! So why not give this recipe a try? Your taste buds will thank you!
Conclusion
There you have it, 5 simple recipes for summer that are perfect for any occasion. From refreshing watermelon salad to savory grilled chicken with peach salsa, these recipes are easy to make and require minimal effort in the kitchen.
Whether you’re planning a picnic or hosting a backyard BBQ, these quick and delicious recipes will impress your guests without breaking the bank. So why not give them a try this summer? Your taste buds will thank you!
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