Beat the Heat: Delicious and Easy Summer Recipes
Summer in Canada is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, flavourful food without spending hours in a hot kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, packing a picnic, or just need a quick weeknight dinner, these recipes offer something for everyone. Get ready to be inspired!
Fresh and Easy Summer Salads
Salads are a summer staple, perfect as a light meal or a side dish at any gathering. They’re also a great way to showcase the season’s best produce.
- Italian Potato and Tomato Salad: This classic salad highlights the sweetness of vine-ripened tomatoes paired with tender potatoes. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for a summer barbecue.
- Herby Butter Bean Salad with Za’atar Dressing: This vibrant salad is packed with protein and Mediterranean flavours. Creamy feta, briny olives, and fresh herbs are tossed in a tangy za’atar dressing, making it a delicious and healthy option. It’s also great for meal prep, as the flavours meld together beautifully over time.
- Burrata Tomato Peach Salad: Make the most of summer’s bounty with this no-cook salad. Creamy burrata cheese pairs perfectly with juicy tomatoes and sweet peaches, creating a delightful combination of flavours and textures. Serve it as an appetizer, side dish, or light meal.
- Bocconcini and Tomato Salad: Simple and elegant, this salad features mini bocconcini, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s a perfect appetizer, side dish, or addition to a charcuterie board.
- Mango Cucumber Avocado Salad: This vegan salad is bursting with fresh, tropical flavours. Mango, cucumber, and avocado are combined with a savory and tangy homemade dressing, making it a refreshing and satisfying side dish.
- Spinach Salad with Strawberry Salad Dressing: A quick and easy salad that’s both healthy and delicious. The sweet strawberry dressing, made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of brown sugar, elevates the simple spinach base.
- Watermelon Jalapeño Salad: This unique salad combines sweet and spicy flavours for a truly refreshing experience. Juicy watermelon, charred corn, fresh herbs, and crushed corn nuts are tossed in a spicy lime dressing, making it a standout vegan side dish.
- Cucumber Tomato Salad: A classic for a reason! Crunchy cucumbers and sweet tomatoes are combined in a simple vinaigrette for a light and refreshing salad.
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad: This creative twist on deviled eggs transforms the classic appetizer into a creamy and delicious pasta salad. It’s a perfect side dish for potlucks and barbecues.
- Arugula Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese, and Prosciutto: This salad is a delightful combination of peppery arugula, sweet pears, creamy goat cheese, and salty prosciutto. It’s a sophisticated and flavorful option for any occasion.
- Italian Meatball Salad: Transform leftover meatballs into a whole new dish with this quick and easy salad. It’s a low-carb, high-flavour meal that comes together in minutes.
Grilled Summer Recipes
Nothing says summer like the smell of food cooking on the grill. These recipes offer a variety of options for juicy meats, seafood, and vegetables.
- Grilled Shrimp: A quick and easy meal or appetizer, grilled shrimp is always a crowd-pleaser. Simply marinate the shrimp in your favourite sauce, skewer them, and grill until pink and cooked through.
- Sausage Cobb Salad: This salad is anything but boring! It features grilled sausage, fresh vegetables, and a flavourful dressing, making it a satisfying and delicious meal. It’s perfect for summer barbecues, meal prep, or a quick lunch or dinner.
- Grilled Squid: Take calamari to the next level with this healthy and flavourful grilled version. Grilling the squid adds a smoky flavour that complements its natural sweetness.
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad: This salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and cookouts. Grilled chicken is combined with pasta, pesto, arugula, and tomatoes for a light, fresh, and flavourful dish.
- Grilled Lemon Chicken: This recipe is a great option for busy weeknights. The chicken is marinated in lemon juice and herbs, then grilled to perfection. It can be made on an outdoor grill or an indoor cast iron grill.
- BBQ Chicken Skewers: Tender, juicy, and easy to make, these chicken skewers are perfect for a summer barbecue. Simply marinate the chicken in your favourite BBQ sauce, skewer it with vegetables, and grill until cooked through.
Quick and Light Summer Dinners
These weeknight-friendly meals won’t heat up the kitchen, allowing you to enjoy delicious food without spending hours cooking.
- Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups with Spinach Dip: A fun and easy meal that’s perfect for a light lunch or snack. These roll-ups are made with nitrate-free turkey, organic cheese, and creamy spinach dip.
- Fig, Prosciutto, and Brie Open-Faced Sandwich: This sandwich is a luxurious combination of sweet figs, salty prosciutto, creamy brie, and peppery arugula on crusty sourdough bread. It’s both stunning to look at and bursting with flavour.
No-Bake and Frozen Summer Treats
Cool off with these simple and sweet desserts that require no baking.
- Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cones: These delicious and refreshing treats are even better than ice cream. Filled with silky smooth cream cheese frosting and homemade strawberry preserve, these cones are the perfect summer dessert.
- Italian Traditional Torrone Ice Cream: This recipe is exactly like the ice cream you buy at the corner store. It’s a perfect cold dessert that requires no ice cream maker.
- Lemon Lush No-Bake Dessert: This classic dessert features a Cool Whip topping, a creamy lemon pudding layer, and a buttery crust. It’s light, fluffy, and hits the spot on warm days.
- Baklava Ice Cream: This Middle Eastern-inspired dessert is rich and aromatic, with crunchy pistachios and walnuts. It’s easy to make at home and tastes just like the real thing.
- Frozen Berry Yogurt Bites: A refined sugar-free, easy, and tasty treat made with just a few ingredients. These bite-sized treats are perfect for snack time or sunny days.
Refreshing Summer Drinks and Cocktails
Quench your thirst with these refreshing summer drinks and cocktails.
- Iced Green Tea: This homemade iced green tea is infused with fresh lemon and mint, making it a refreshing and healthy alternative to store-bought versions.
- Spiked Strawberry Lemonade with Vodka: This perfectly refreshing cocktail combines sweet strawberries, tart lemonade, and a kick of vodka. It’s a great drink for a summer day, whether you’re socializing with friends or just chilling alone.
- Blue Mojito: A stunning twist on a classic cocktail, the blue mojito is a blend of rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, and mint, topped with bubbly water and blue curaçao.
- Cucumber Gin and Tonic: This easy drink recipe is a refreshing twist on a classic gin and tonic. Fresh cucumber slices, lime, and mint sprigs add a light and crisp flavour.
Must-Try Summer Sides and Snacks
Complete your summer meals with these delicious sides and snacks.
- Harissa Cottage Cheese Dip: This bold and high-protein dip is easy to make and packed with flavour. It pairs perfectly with fresh vegetables, grilled pita bread, or avocado toast.
- Grilled Brussels Sprouts in Balsamic Vinegar: This healthy and delicious dish is a perfect side for anything cooked on the barbecue.
- Authentic Creamy Greek Tzatziki: This easy-to-make sauce is full of fresh flavour and perfect as a dip or sauce for pita, gyros, falafel, grilled meats, and more.
- Grilled Vegetables with Italian Vinaigrette: Make the most of summer’s bounty with this recipe that features grilled zucchini, eggplant, and peppers tossed in a flavourful Italian vinaigrette.