Get Cooking: Easy and delicious recipes to try this summer

Summer break is the perfect time to explore your culinary skills and experiment with delicious dishes. Whether you’re a beginner or an aspiring chef, trying out new recipes can be a fun and rewarding experience.

In this article, we will share a selection of healthy and easy-to-make recipes that are perfect for the summer season. From refreshing salads to light and flavourful meals, these dishes will enchant your taste buds and keep you energised throughout the day. Check it out!

Watermelon Feta Salad

Enjoy the refreshing combination of juicy watermelon and tangy feta cheese in this summer salad. Simply cube fresh watermelon, crumble feta cheese on top, and sprinkle with fresh mint leaves. Drizzle with a light balsamic vinaigrette for added flavour. This salad is not only delicious but also hydrating and packed with nutrients.

Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers

Fire up the grill and prepare these flavourful skewers. Marinate bite-sized chicken pieces in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your favourite herbs. Alternate the chicken with colourful vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes on skewers. Grill until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are slightly charred. Serve with a side of whole grain couscous or quinoa for a complete and satisfying meal.

Caprese Stuffed Avocado

This simple yet satisfying dish combines the creamy goodness of avocado with the classic flavours of a Caprese salad. Slice a ripe avocado in half and remove the pit. Fill the cavity with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s a nutritious and delicious option for a light lunch or snack.

Quinoa Salad with Fresh Vegetables

Quinoa is a versatile and nutritious grain that makes for a hearty summer salad. Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool. Toss the cooked quinoa with a variety of fresh vegetables such as cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and diced avocado. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, olive oil, and your choice of herbs for a light and refreshing dressing.

Fruit Smoothie Bowl

Cool off on hot summer days with a refreshing fruit smoothie bowl. Blend together your favourite combination of frozen fruits, such as berries, mangoes, and bananas, with a splash of almond milk or yogurt until smooth. Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top it with granola, sliced fruits, and a sprinkle of chia seeds for added crunch and nutrition.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Create a healthy dessert with layers of Greek yogurt, fresh fruits, and crunchy granola. Start with a base of creamy Greek yogurt, then add layers of diced fruits like berries, kiwi, and peaches. Top it off with a sprinkle of granola for a satisfying crunch. This parfait is not only delicious but also packed with protein and essential nutrients.

With these easy and healthy recipes, you can unleash your culinary creativity and enjoy a variety of delightful dishes throughout summer. According to Ms Nalini Malik, a Home Science educator at Apeejay School, Saket, “In the break, students can do two things: First, enjoy some me-time and second, explore their creativity. Both paired with culinary abilities can bring out wonders. Students can make use of social media to look up some new recipes as well. Besides, trying new dishes will promote a happy home environment and provide the motivation to practice more.”

The expert also shared an enjoyable dish for students to try out. Savoury oats pudding is her top pick. Discussing how to make it, Ms Malik says, “Take half a cup of oats and one cup of curd. Then mix them and make a thick creamy gruel at night to be kept in the fridge. In the morning, take half onion, half cucumber, de-seeded tomato and some bell peppers, capsicum and any other vegetable of your choice. Chop them finely and mix them with the gruel. Add a pinch of lemon on it and if required some mustard seeds. Once this has thickened, improve the consistency by adding water or ‘lassi’. Your savoury and healthy pudding will be ready to eat.”

As per Vedha Jangir, a Diploma Programme – II student from Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, who is adept at creating dishes from many cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, Korean, just to mention a few, “Summer is all about cooling beverages. So, don’t think twice before trying them out at home.” Of the many things, she enjoys sipping ice-tea during the hot summer months. “To make at home, heat the tea leaves in water. Then add sugar to it. Let it cool and then store it in the fridge. Add lemon juice to it whenever you wish to consume it. The same process can be followed for having a peach ice tea. Only difference is, one has to squish the peaches, thin it down by adding some water and then add as per taste.”

A delicacy she tried at home last summer was mint, basil and lemon pasta. For this, she used aglio olio, sautéed it with mushrooms and added the boiled pasta to it. Then she paired it with a paste of basil and mint. Before serving, she added lemon.

So, get cooking, have fun in the kitchen, and savour the flavours of summer!

Good luck!