With the arrival of heat, the thought of turning on the oven when it’s 40°C outside can feel like torture. That’s why most people turn to salads. And while salads can be very versatile thanks to the various salad dressings available, there are more summer cold dishes to consider.
To save you from wondering what to eat every day, Kuoko brings you 5 easy recipes for this summer.
5 Best Summer Meals
Can’t think of summer meals? You’ll be surprised to know that it’s not always necessary for everything to be cold. In fact, it’s recommended to drink hot tea in summer because it regulates body temperature. But we understand if you’re craving something refreshing, so here are 5 summer cold dishes:
Andalusian Gazpacho
Andalusian gazpacho is probably one of the most well-known dishes in Spanish gastronomy. It’s as easy as it is refreshing and nutritious. A summer dish that will save you from any trouble. Although it usually contains tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, garlic, and oil, you can make it to the texture you prefer and add garnish to your taste.
To prepare it, simply peel the tomatoes and mix them with the rest of the ingredients in a blender. Once everything is combined, blend and add salt and oil until it reaches the right consistency.
Lettuce Wraps
An original way to keep eating lettuce is to make wraps. In reality, it’s similar to eating salad but with a more original twist. You can make it lighter with lettuce, chicken, and tomato, or add falafel and some special sauce for a more unique touch. Wraps are an easy way to vary your summer dishes.
To prepare the wraps, grill the ingredients that aren’t eaten raw (chicken or falafel) beforehand and then roll them all in a corn tortilla.
Russian Potato Salad
You might think this is cheating, but it’s not considered a salad! Russian potato salad usually contains potatoes, carrots, hard-boiled eggs, and green beans. Many people add mayonnaise, but you can dress it to your liking if you want it to be lighter.
To make Russian potato salad, you need to cook the potatoes and carrots beforehand in a casserole for about 25 minutes (it’s recommended to add the potatoes first). Then, boil the eggs and beans and let them cool for a while. It’s advisable to do this several hours in advance and refrigerate it so that everything is cold. Once done, chop everything and mix.
Fish Ceviche
Fish ceviche is a Latin American dish that isn’t as popular in Spain. Basically, it’s raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice. It’s a citrusy, soft, and refreshingly light dish, making it perfect for summer as it’s low in calories.
The key to cooking ceviche well is to let it marinate with the lemon for about half an hour before starting to cook, so it absorbs that delicious citrusy touch. Then, combine it in a bowl with slices of onion, cilantro branches, and some chili peppers, and you can accompany it with some delicious clams marinated in the same way.
Watermelon and Lemon Granita
Although it’s not a meal as such, we wanted to end this list with an easy-to-make summer recipe that you’ll love: watermelon and lemon granita. You can have it as a dessert or snack, but it’s sure to refresh you. Watermelon is one of the fruits with the highest water content (up to 93%), so besides being delicious, it will hydrate you.
To make it, you have to cut and freeze watermelon cubes about 4 hours in advance. Once you have the cubes, squeeze a lemon and save its juice. You can mix everything with mint leaves or sugar, and you’re done!
What are you waiting for? Get inspired and prepare one of these summer meals! At Kuoko, we care about healthy eating and reducing our exposure to toxins, so if you use our products, we ensure you’ll have a plastic and toxin-free diet. We hope you enjoy them!
