Recipes
7 Healthy Summer Recipes
Summer is approaching and, whether La Nina comes with it or not, this is the time to swap your soups, stews and hot drinks for barbecue lunches, salads and cold juices.
Looking for new meals to add to your summer menu? The healthy summer recipes below take between 5 minutes and one hour to prepare, and all feature the freshest, healthiest ingredients for that extra boost of energy we can all use on a hot summer day:
1. Açai, Beet and Berry Smoothie Bowl
Ready in… 5 minutes.
Smoothies bowls are the ultimate summer breakfast and this one is packed with essential nutrients, thanks to the three star ingredients: açai powder, beetroot and berries.
The açai and berries supercharge your body with high amounts of antioxidants, while the beet provides you with fibre, iron, vitamin C and more. Put the three together in a bowl and what a way to start the day!
Preparing the smoothie couldn’t be easier: all you need is a blender or Nutribullet to combine all the ingredients. Finish off with any toppings of your liking - fresh fruit, seeds, homemade granola and nut butter are a few delicious options - and breakfast is ready!
Get Breville’s recipe here.
2. Shaved Cucumber Lemon Herb Labneh Toast
Ready in… 15 minutes.
Looking for a savoury summer breakfast idea instead? Try this Shaved Cucumber Lemon Herb Labneh Toast. The recipe uses fresh herbs for an aromatic touch and sourdough bread that is lightly fried in olive oil. Of course, if you prefer to go oil-free, you can always pop your bread slices in the toaster.
The shaved cucumber adds a refreshing crunch that is perfect for the hottest summer days, especially when paired with zesty labneh cheese. And why not add a hint of spice with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes?
Get the recipe here.
3. Moroccan Beef Kebab
Ready in… 35 to 40 minutes.
Moving on to healthy lunch and dinner ideas for summer, these beef kebabs are a crowd-pleaser at any barbecue. Spiced up with ras el hangout, a well-loved Moroccan spice mix, this summer dish has a vibrant flavour that will transport you straight to the heart of Morocco.
For this recipe, you’ll need a food processor, which you’ll use to blitz the beef, ras el hangout and remaining ingredients into the kebab mixture and, of course, a barbecue where the meat will cook until you see golden grill lines on both sides of each kebab.
Serve the skewers with a side of quick pickles, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and some Lebanese bread for a satisfying summer lunch or dinner.
Get KitchenAid’s recipe here.
4. Speedy Sesame Chicken Pasta
Ready in… 40 minutes.
Who doesn’t love pasta salad? This speedy sesame chicken pasta takes only 40 minutes to cook and, packed with delicious vegetables of your choice, it’s a foolproof way to get your five serves a day.
The healthy protein is chicken, which sits on a bed of pasta along with your veggies: cabbage, carrots, broccoli and brussel sprouts are four tasty options but you can choose any vegetables you’re craving (or any that have been left in the fridge for a little bit too long).
This healthy summer recipe keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days and it can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it an excellent grab-and-go meal.
Get Westinghouse’s recipe here.
5. Beetroot and Lentil Salad
Ready in… 1 hour.
One hour isn’t exactly ‘quick’ but don’t let that stop you from trying this vegetarian summer salad. In reality, this recipe only requires 15 minutes of prepping and your pressure cooker will take care of the rest.
You’ll use it to cook the beetroot for 30 minutes and the lentils for 15 minutes. While those cool down, you can prepare an easy, tahini-based dressing. Drizzle it over the beets and lentils, top it with feta, walnuts and a couple of other ingredients and eat away!
For a vegan summer salad, simply swap the feta and Greek yoghurt for plant-based alternatives.
Get Justine Schofield's recipe here.
6. Minty Melon Soup
Ready in… 5 minutes.
Soup for dessert…? You bet! All you need to prepare this dessert is a ripe melon, lime juice, mint leaves, honey or maple syrup, and hot water.
Using a blender on the Soup setting, blend all the ingredients until you have a light green liquid. Of course, this wouldn’t be a summer dessert if it was served hot, so you want to let it chill in the fridge for at least one hour. No time for waiting? Pop a few ice cubes in the minty melon soup and speed up the process.
If you’re feeling creative, try pouring the melon soup into ice block moulds and wait until they freeze solid. However you choose to eat it, give this sweet, cold soup a go and you might just discover your new summertime dessert staple.
Get Philips’ recipe here.
7. Cool As A Cucumber Juice
Ready in… 5 minutes.
Sometimes, all you need on a hot day is an ice-cold drink and this Cool As A Cucumber Juice is definitely the one.
Run Persian cucumbers, green apples, fresh mint, spinach and lemon through a juicer until you’ve got a vibrant, green juice full of nutrients and vitamins that will keep you energised all day long, no matter how hot it is.
If you have other green veggies or fruit lying in your fridge - think celery, kale or kiwi - why not add them as well?
Get Breville’s recipe here.
Quick, healthy and delicious, our summer recipes are perfect for anyone wanting to spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up the sun. Check out our range of small appliances and get all your kitchen essentials for summer at Bing Lee.
