Summer recipes for that summer glow

Summer has made a sudden appearance which hopefully means longer, warmer and lazier days (I know the latter is wishful thinking for some of us) ideally spent either at the beach or poolside soaking up the beautiful sunshine and of course dining alfresco with a well earned cocktail or beer in hand.

The warmer weather for a lot of us means we often overdo it in consuming high calorie processed foods and beverages like ice creams, fizzy drinks, alcohol, barbecued burgers and sausages but with the fresh summer season fruits, veggies and herbs available in abundance at the local market what excuse do we have? It’s the perfect opportunity to flood are bodies with healthy delicious meals.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated so here are a few recipes that are quick and simple that won’t have you spending hours stuck in the kitchen.

Summer chickpea salad

  • 1 jar of washed and drained chickpeas
  • 2 stalks of chopped celery
  • ½ cup of diced cucumber
  • Handful of chopped cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup of fresh sweet corn
  • 1 large chopped avocado
  • 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • Handful of chopped fresh coriander
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Place all the ingredients into a big salad bowl and mix together, best served chilled with a side of quinoa or brown rice and an extra squeeze of lemon.

Cucumber, avocado and basil gazpacho (refreshing chilled soup)

  • 1 large ripe avocado
  • 1 cup of fresh basil
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 cups of water
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 cucumber (skin on, seeds removed)
  • 1/3 cup of olive oil

Herb oil – Blend oil with roughly ¼ of the fresh basil and set aside allowing the flavours to blend.

In a blender combine remaining ingredients and blend until smooth, chill in the fridge ideally for a few hours, served in a cold bowl and garnish with a drizzle of the herb oil and serve with whole grain crusty bread.

Classic hummus

  • 1 jar of washed and drained chickpeas
  • 1 clove of fresh garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • ¼ cup of water
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

 

Add all the ingredients and blend until a smooth consistency adding more water if needed, best served chilled with a mixture of cut up veggies like celery red and yellow bell peppers, carrots and cucumber or mixed seed crackers.

Jazz your classic hummus recipe up with either blended roasted red peppers, fresh basil and lemon or fresh coriander and lime.

Guacamole

  • 3 ripe avocados cut into halves with the seed removed
  • ½ red onion chopped
  • 2 tomatoes deseeded and chopped
  • Handful of fresh chopped coriander (optional)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped (optional)
  • 3 tbsp of fresh lime or lemon juice
  • Dash of salt and pepper

Mash the avocados with a fork and add the rest of the ingredients, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Again this can be eaten with cut up veggies or spread on whole grain toast with sliced tomato for a healthy filling breakfast.

Loaded sweet potatoes

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes baked at 375 degrees for 45-60 minutes
  • 1 cup of pre cooked black beans
  • 1 bunch of fresh kale
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 clove of fresh garlic minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Guacamole (from previous recipe)

On a medium heat add the olive oil and sauté the garlic for a few minutes, add the kale to the pan, coating the kale in the oil. Add a 1/3 cup of water and cover for 5 minutes, then remove the cover reducing the heat, cook for another 15 minutes adding the pre cooked beans to the kale until warm and then season with salt and pepper.

Cut the baked sweet potatoes in half lengthways and top with the black beans and kale and just before serving add the homemade guacamole.

Creamy blueberry coconut popsicles

  • 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 can of coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp of maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp of vanilla extract

Blend the coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a blender and then add the blueberries and pulse until they are “smashed” pour the mixture into the Popsicle moulds and freeze overnight.

Simple health hacks

Eating fruit for breakfast or on an empty stomach provides the maximum benefits, allowing the body to properly digest and absorb the nutrients in the fruit more effectively.

Filling up on colourful vegetables, whole grains, beans, pulses and healthy fats like avocados and nuts will provide the body with all the essential nutrients and keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Adding different fresh herbs to meals not only tastes amazing but they are incredibly beneficial boasting nutritional content.

Have a healthy happy summer and Bon appetite!