10 Simple Recipes for Summer
- Alicia Searl Contributing Writer
- Published Jun 21, 2023
Summer is in full swing, and if you are anything like our family, meal planning seems to have shifted and morphed into something totally different around here. It’s as if this time of year begs for simple, lighter, and more “airy” food. You know, the kind that you can scarf down, not feel too bloated, and smile to yourself, thinking – that was yummy and healthy.
It doesn’t matter if you are lounging by the pool, soaking in the sun rays at the beach, or chasing after the kiddos in the backyard. Summertime just has a different vibe. It begs for cookouts and community, calling us to break out the colorful (or paper) plates and disposable utensils, all while getting a little creative with the presentation. From decorating a Fourth of July cake with red, white, and blue sprinkles to placing a spring of mint into a nice glass of iced tea, there is something truly special about summer. The warmer weather and seasonal fruits and veggies invite us to set our tables with delicious meals that will allow us to gather and create precious memories.
So, are you ready to celebrate summer with some simple supper ideas? Well, let’s get started then…here you go!
The Main Dish
1. Smoked or Grilled Salmon
Nothing says summer supper like delicious salmon. This easy recipe is sure to delight all the senses! Be sure to get salmon with a reddish-pink color and good skin; that is what gives it the flavor.
Place filets in aluminum foil or a grill net, then cover each salmon filet with a healthy dose of butter and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cut up some fresh rosemary and slice lemons for later. Place on grill (or in a smoker, times will vary) and heat until butter soaks in, then add the rosemary and lemon and get to an internal temp of 145 degrees. This should take about 20-25 minutes on the grill if the fish is thawed, longer if frozen, but I would suggest thawing it first. Serve with more lemon slices and tartar sauce if you like. Simply yummy!
2. Chicken or Steak Skewers
This simply delicious recipe is a great way to have a meal all in one! Grab some skewers and your choice of meat and veggies from the fridge and assemble away. You can choose to use beef or chicken or do a mix of both. We enjoy onions, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers for veggies. Grill for about 20 minutes, and voila!
3. Stuffed Bell Peppers
This is a comfort food for me, but one I remember my mom always making (mostly in the summer) growing up. It’s so easy, healthy, and yummy.
Get symmetrical, big peppers (colorful ones are fun to use – red, yellow, and orange are fun). Cut the stem off and then slice in half. Cut and clear our seed and set aside. Cook a cup of rice and set aside. Then brown on-pound ground beef with onion, garlic, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Once cooked through, add to rice and mix. Pour inside the peppers and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with cheese towards the end. Delish!
Summer Sides
4. Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
This salad is festive and refreshing! It takes little time to make and can be used to complement a main dish or brought to a summer potluck. Trust me; this recipe will be one you want to save and will most likely be one you’ll share as family and friends will be begging for the recipe.
Cube watermelon and place in a deep bowl. Slice thick slices of cucumber and then cut them in half. You can cut the outer skin of the cucumber off, scallop it, or keep it, and keep or cut out the seeds; totally your choice and preference. Toss them with the watermelon. Then cut half a red onion and add to the bowl. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, a squeeze of lime, and toss. Sprinkle with feta cheese and garnish with mint. Then all that’s left is enjoying this refreshing side!
5. Grilled Corn on the Cob
This side is so easy and is a perfect side for nearly everything! Just remove the husk from the corn and rinse under warm water. Pat dry and set aside. Mix butter, garlic salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Then place each corn on a small sheet of aluminum foil and brush each with the butter mixture. Wrap them in the foil and cook out on the grill. They will take about 30 minutes and get a char to them but trust me, once you eat corn this way, you may never go back!
6. Broccoli Salad
This is generally a crowd-pleaser and goes well with most main dishes or becomes a great dish to bring to a cookout. Chop up a head of broccoli into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl. Cook and crumble a package of bacon and add to broccoli in a bowl. Cut up half a red onion and add to bowl. Lastly, add ¼ cup of dried cranberries and sunflower seeds, add to bowl. For the dressing, mix 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey), and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over broccoli mixture to coat well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
7. Fruit Kabobs
You really can’t go wrong with these cute sides. They also work well as a snack in these hot summer months. Simply take skewers, place some of your favorite fruit on them, and enjoy. We like strawberries, grapes, and watermelon. Be sure to keep them in the fridge before serving.
For the Sweet Tooth
8. Blueberry Tart
These cute tarts make a great finish to any summer meal and are perfect for any get-together and cure that sweet tooth.
Thaw frozen tart shells according to instructions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and a dash of salt, then set aside. Using a muffin pan, press tart shells inside, forming a cup, and bake at 375 for about 10-15 minutes, until golden brown. On the stove, boil ¼ cup water and 1 cup blueberries until the blueberries start to break down a bit. Then add the sugar mixture in and turn down heat, bringing down the boil to a low simmer for about another minute or so. Fill the muffin cups with a heaping dose of the blueberry mixture. Sprinkle the top with sugar, and you can serve immediately or cool in the fridge until ready.
9. Fruit Pizza
This dessert is super easy and fun to make, so get those kids involved and get creative! Take a roll of the premade sugar cookie dough and spread it in a circle along a greased baking sheet. Bake according to the directions. Then set aside and cool. While it is cooling, beat together a block of cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla until creamy. Spread on the cookie dough. Then add fruit. Make a pattern or work of art, and then marvel at your masterpiece. Next, take a jar of peach (or current) jelly and boil it on the stove until it is thin and nearly translucent. Pour over the top and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes at 325 degrees.
10. Lemon Bars
This is another recipe I remember my mom making in the summertime. I used to beg for these as a child, and now I will surprise my own family with them! Super easy to make and absolutely heavenly!
There are several ways to create these yummy concoctions, but I use lemon cake mix and can whip them up in no time. Stir together the cake mix, 1 egg, and ½ cup butter. It will be crumbly, but press along a 9 x 9 baking dish. Then in a separate bowl, mix a package (8 oz) of cream cheese, two eggs, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract until creamy. Take a lemon and zest it into the cream cheese mixture and fold that in, then spread on top of the cake batter. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes. After they cool down, dust the top with powdered sugar. Now all you have to do is take a bite and enjoy!
There you have it! Simple supper ideas to kick off your summer! Hope you enjoy time with those you love and make some sweet memories around the dinner table. Happy Summer!
