Food is obviously an important part of every season, but
for most, summer food selections tend to be on the lighter side. When you are on the go all the time with
baseball games and outdoor activities, eating heavy just slows you down. We found some amazing recipes to help you get
through this summer without feeling like you've gained twenty pounds!!
Nothing says summer like a burger on the grill! This chicken version is much healthier…
|
Summer
Chicken Burgers |
INGREDIENTS:
|
1 ripe avocado,
sliced 1 tablespoon lemon
juice 1 tablespoon butter 1 large Vidalia
onions, sliced into rings 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast |
halves salt and pepper to
taste 4 hamburger buns 4 tablespoons
mayonnaise 4 slices provolone
cheese |
DIRECTIONS:
|
1. |
In a small bowl, combine sliced avocado and lemon juice. Add
water to cover; set aside. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly
oil grate. |
|
2. |
Heat butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
Saute the onions until browned and caramelized; set aside. |
|
3. |
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place on grill, and
cook until no longer pink and juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.
Place buns on grill just long enough to toast them. |
|
4. |
Spread buns with mayonnaise to taste, then layer with chicken,
caramelized onion, provolone and avocado. |
Breakfast in the summer can be daunting. Who wants to stand over a stove and cook eggs
& sausage/bacon? Worse yet, don’t
even think about turning the oven on for biscuits and gravy! Here’s a light, refreshing breakfast for your
summer mornings…
|
Berry
Yogurt Crunch |
INGREDIENTS:
|
3 cups plain low-fat
yogurt 1 (1.5 ounce) envelope instant sugar -free vanilla
pudding mix 2 cups blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries,
mixed 3/4 cup wheat and barley nugget cereal (e.g. Grape-Nuts™) |
1 cup blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries, mixed 1 tablespoon white
sugar 1 tablespoon fresh
lemon juice 1/2 cup sweetened whipped cream for garnish (optional) |
DIRECTIONS:
|
1. |
Combine the yogurt and pudding mix in a large bowl; beat with
an electric mixer until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups of the
mixed berries and the cereal until blended. Pour the yogurt and berry mixture
into a 9 inch pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 2 hours. |
|
2. |
Meanwhile, place the remaining 1 cup of berries in a medium
bowl and slightly mash with a fork. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Set
mixture aside at room temperature. |
|
3. |
Spoon chilled berry-yogurt mixture into serving dishes. Top
with a spoonful of mashed berries, and whipped cream, if desired. |
Summer time refreshers should be, well,
refreshing!! Mint is sure to hit the
spot on those hot afternoons…
|
Mint Tea Punch |
INGREDIENTS:
|
3 cups boiling water 12 sprigs fresh mint 4 tea bags 1 cup white sugar 1 cup orange juice |
1/4 cup lemon juice 5 cups cold water 3 orange slices for
garnish (optional) 3 lemon slices for
garnish (optional) |
DIRECTIONS:
|
1. |
Place the tea bags and mint sprigs into a large pitcher. Pour
boiling water over them, and allow to steep for about 8 minutes. Remove and
discard the tea bags and mint leaves, squeezing out excess liquid. Stir in
sugar until dissolved, then stir in the orange juice and lemon juice. Pour in
the cold water. Serve over ice cubes, garnished with orange or lemon slices. |
Try out recipes and enjoy a lighter summer this
year! Do you have a favorite summer
recipe you’d like to share? Submit at [email protected] so our other
readers can enjoy it as well.
