Summer is in full swing, and things have been heating up! If you’re trying to keep cool while the temperatures rise, we’re right there with you.
So before we sign off for a little R&R this summer, we wanted to share some of our refreshing, in season, go-to recipes that we’ll be serving at our tables.
Whether you’re looking for a smoothie, a side dish, dessert, or drinks, this list has it. Each recipe celebrates summer and ingredients we find at our local farmer’s market.
Make sure to save this blog, so you can come back to it all summer long! Use this as meal inspiration for your upcoming BBQ’s, picnics and even your upcoming 4th of July celebration.
And now, on to the recipes!
Peach Pie Smoothie: Nothing says summer like biting into a fresh, juicy peach! This green smoothie is the perfect way to use all of those perfectly ripe peaches that start popping up in local farmer’s markets this time of year. Peaches are a great source of dietary fiber and immune-boosting vitamin C. Enjoy this smoothie with lots of ice for a refreshing and healthy summer treat that tastes like peach pie in a jar!
Chilled Cucumber and Dill Soup: When the temperature rises we reach for cooling water-rich summer veggies like cucumbers. This soup is the perfect light lunch or dinner for a hot day — it’s quick to throw together and won’t heat up your house like your typical bowl of soup. It has a delicious light flavor from cucumber, lemon, and dill, and a lovely creamy texture from avocado.
Consciously Creamy “Potato” Salad: This cleanse-friendly spin on the classic uses turnips instead of potatoes. Turnips contain more fiber, vitamin C, and calcium than potatoes, with a texture that makes them a perfect dupe! Add in a delicious creamy and punchy sauce made with avocado, mustard, and lemon juice, and you’ve got yourself one tasty side dish.
First Harvest Salad with Green Garden Dressing: Salads are one of the easiest lunches to make when it’s too hot outside to turn the stove on. This salad is loaded with greens, sprouts, and a rainbow of veggies, and topped with an addictive dressing that’s as nutrient-dense as a green smoothie. If you want to bulk it up even further, it’s easy — simply top it with a protein of your choice and you’re good to go!
Buffalo Kabobs with Beet “Pesto” Dipping Sauce: If you love beef, you’ll love its healthier cousin: buffalo. These buffalo kabobs are hearty and super tasty on the grill. The beet “pesto” sauce adds the perfect herby complement to this meaty main.
Peach Crumble Bars: In case you can’t tell, we can’t get enough of peaches in the summer! But if peaches aren’t your favorite, you can easily swap in any fruit that looks good and is in season. These crumble bars are really simple to make and they make a great on-the-go dessert or snack. They also go great with a full barbecue spread, so they’re an ideal sweet treat to add to your party recipe list.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Ice Cream: There’s no better antidote for the dog days of summer than chocolate ice cream! This decadent vegan version features frozen bananas and raw cacao, making it a truly guilt-free ice cream. It’s so rich and chocolatey that we promise you’ll never miss the real thing.
Hibiscus Tea Cooler: Sometimes all you want when it’s hot outside is a refreshing drink. This blend of hydrating hibiscus tea, vodka, and citrusy lemon-lime is ideal for relaxing on a porch in the late afternoon. Plus it has the added benefits of extra vitamin C and antioxidants, so it’s a detox-retox win-win. Because you can have your health and a cocktail too! We also love this as a mocktail when we’re taking a break from alcohol.
Kombucha Sangria: This cocktail recipe is super easy to make but so delicious that your guests will never guess just how simple it is! It features a lower sugar kombucha base, with the addition of fresh peach slices and raspberries — a celebration of the bounty of summer. If you’re someone who wants to have a fruity cocktail but needs something low-sugar, this is the perfect drink for you.
You can find these and more cookout-friendly recipes in The Conscious Cookout Ecookbook. To get your copy, simply sign up below and you’ll get instant access to download it to your computer or mobile device.
