Top 10 Summer Recipes
I don’t know about you, but the food that my body craves during the summer is definitely different from the winter! In the winter, I eat a lot of thick soups and stews, roasted root vegetables, and lots of potatoes! But once the temperature heats up and the humidity fills the air, I’m looking for dishes that are a lot less complex and filling. Really, summer meals for me are usually just a way to get the energy to keep doing all the things!
The biggest requirement for my summer dishes is that they are easy to make. That might mean that I roast or grill a giant batch of veggies once at the beginning of the week and use them throughout the week. Or it might be cooking a batch of quinoa or buckwheat on a Sunday and using it on several different days. Of course, the less I have to turn on the oven, the better!
My meals are simple and made with as many fresh goodies from my garden as possible. I’ve been known to just grab a giant heirloom tomato right from the vine and eat it like an apple. Lunch is done! And it doesn’t get any fresher than that!
Here are my top ten favorite summer recipes. Most of these become weekly meals, but I do like to keep things interesting so I’m always experimenting in the kitchen! Be sure to check out the recipe page on the Full Bloom Acres website here for new recipes and follow us on social media @fullbloomacres for behind-the-scenes looks!
Watermelon Juice
Obviously, watermelon is going to be on this list! This Watermelon Juice recipe is great on its own, or you could make it a little boozy if that floats your boat. The best part of this recipe is that you don’t need a juicer! A blender is all you need! The addition of lime juice helps to ease digestive issues that many people experience after eating watermelon.
Recipe from: Full Bloom Acres
Summer Squash Veggie Skewers Over Edamame Quinoa
These colorful squash skewers are paired with quinoa and edamame for a robust and delicious summer dinner. Slices of zucchini, bell pepper, mushrooms, and onions are glazed with a savory soy-miso marinade and then grilled to tender perfection. The excess glaze is soaked up by the bed of grains underneath so your entire plate is infused with the finger-licking-good sauce.
Recipe from: Forks Over Knives
Fresca Bean Salad
Chow down. Or lighten up. To make this a heartier dish, add 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa. Warm quinoa gives the dish a delightful hot-cold contrast. Conversely, the dish can be made lighter by adding 2 cups of fresh greens, like spinach or romaine.
Recipe from: Forks Over Knives
Curried Chickpea Salad
Amazing Curried Chickpea Salad with the best tahini dressing, packed with flavors and textures! Enjoy this for healthy lunches all week by itself or in a warp. Vegan and gluten-free. When I make this recipe, I add about ½ cup of diced celery and skip the raisins. Feel free to make it your own!
Recipe from: Hummusapien
Braised Kale and Apples
Kale contains a variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, protein, calcium, phytonutrients, amino acids, and fiber. It is known as a “superfood” which is a much sexier term for “functional” food which means a food that is consumed for a particular reason, such as reducing disease risk, lowering cholesterol, increasing fiber consumption, or obtaining a specific nutrient. Eat this recipe as a side dish or add in a can of white beans and make it a complete meal!
Recipe from: Full Bloom Acres
Baked Falafel Bites
These Falafel Bites have quickly become a favorite recipe at our house! During the summer months, we grill veggies but roast them in the oven during winter. This dish does take some time to put together since there are several components. But the hummus and vegetables could be prepared ahead of time to cut down on prep work. The salsa is best enjoyed the day you make it but the falafels store well for a nice lunch the next day!
Recipe from: Full Bloom Acres
Hibiscus Strawberry Rhubarb Iced Tea
The light floral notes of hibiscus and the sweet/tart combination of strawberries and rhubarb make a cooling and lively iced tea that’s naturally caffeine-free. This is a great way to use up all that extra rhubarb!
Recipe from: Gourmande in the Kitchen
Vegan Corn and Potato Chowder
This healthy vegan Corn and Potato Chowder has the most luxurious, golden, cheesy broth. Plus it is only 8 ingredients with a super easy assembly which makes it a great weeknight meal.
Recipe from: The Garden Grazer
5 Minute Easy Peppermint Fudge
5 Minute Easy Peppermint Fudge is a 3-ingredient recipe for creamy, thick, indulgent chocolatey fudge squares made with healthy ingredients! Takes just 5 minutes to prep, the rest is just freezing time. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Recipe from: Beaming Baker
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Need a break from avo-toast? Or maybe something with a little more protein and carbs for a post-workout snack? Check out this dip! There are so many amazing uses for it that go well beyond cut-up veggies (but that is a great use, too!)! Make a batch of this at the beginning of the week and munch your way through!
Recipe from: Full Bloom Acres
There you have it! This could be a great meal plan for a week! Let me know, what are your favorite summer recipes?
Have a great week!
Peace, love & kale!
Lindsay