If you are looking to beat the heat this summer during meal time then you may want something that is light and doesn’t weigh you down. You may consider some of these easy to make dishes that can be prepared inside or outdoors. Also cooking outside on a grill is a fun way to get your family outside and keep the extra heat from the kitchen out of your house.
Below are the top 3 summer recipes that you and your family will enjoy not only during summer but year round as well.
First is the Sweet and Savoury Grilled Chicken recipe.
This simple to make, yet exquisite dish is made with ingredients most people should already have in their kitchen, brown sugar, dried mustard and onion powder. This makes this dish not only the perfect and light summer meal, but easily assembled as well, requiring only 5 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes total cooking time.
Ingredients
2 tsps. light brown sugar
2 tsps. dry mustard
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white or freshly ground black pepper
1-1 1/4 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breast
Mix brown sugar, onion powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Coat both side of the chicken with the rub at least thirty minutes before grilling or broiling.
Pre-heat grill to medium high temp. or place oven rack in the upper third of the broiler and pre-heat the broiler.
To Grill: Oil the rack then grill the chicken, turning once, approximately 4-8 minutes each side.
To Broil: Place on aluminium lined broiler pan in the oven. Watching carefully, turn each piece at least once for an approximate total cooking time of 10 to 15 minutes.
This dish can be served with any light salad or other barbeque dish such as corn on the cob, or even made into a light sandwich with the baked parmesan tomatoes dish featured below.
Here is another of the top 3 summer recipes:
Baked Parmesan Tomatoes
This is the perfect side dish for that hot summer day, and can also be put between two slices of your favourite bread for a healthy and light meal. Serves four. Total cooking time 20 minutes.
Ingredients
4 tomatoes cut horizontally
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano
1/4 tsp. salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
4 tsps. extra-virgin olive oil
Preheat oven or grill to 450 degrees
Place the tomatoes cut side up on a baking sheet
Top with cheese, oregano, salt and pepper to taste
Drizzle with oil and bake until tender, approx. 15 minutes
After the perfect summer meal then you may be wanting a cool dessert to accompany it. This last of the top 3 summer recipes is excellent for this purpose. Not only is it good, it is healthy as well.
Frozen Yogurt Coconut Pops
This recipe will yield 12 delicious pops, and is made in two separate stages, the puree and the yogurt. It will take some time to freeze, approx. 8 hours.
Ingredients for Puree
2 cups of fresh fruit, use what is in season or pick your favourite
1/2 cup sugar
Juice of one lemon
Ingredients for Yogurt
1 cup plain thick yogurt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. coconut extract
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes for garnish
Puree: blend together fruit, sugar and lemon until smooth
Yogurt: whisk together yogurt, sugar and extract
Pour alternating layers of the coconut and fruit into popsicle molds, insert sticks and freeze after frozen, remove from the moulds, roll in coconut flakes and serve.
Most of the recipes require specific kitchen apparatus for the best outcomes. Get yourself the desired kitchen set-up and appliances from ramsbottomkitchens.co.uk and keep up with showing your cooking skills.
