As the summer drags on and the weather heats up, who wants to spend hours in a hot kitchen or standing over the grill? Summertime noshing should be light, refreshing and, most importantly, cool. With that in mind, Sphinx Date Co. suggests some simple salads and side dishes that can be jazzed up to serve as a main dish when cooking a big meal is out of the question.
Summertime Salads — A fresh crispy salad isn’t just good for the tastebuds, it’s good for the body! Ditch the mindset that salads are boring with some new ways to toss up this summertime mainstay. First of all, thing outside the iceberg. There are so many varieties of lettuce that even those “I don’t like salad” types can find something they like. For adventurous tastebuds, go for a spicy base like arugula. For a soft, tender leaf, opt for butter or Bibb lettuce (which is great for wraps, too... more on that later).
Once the lettuce is established, think of it as a blank canvas — and get creative or stick with a culinary theme like Asian or Greek. Chopped cabbage and romaine is a great base for an Asian salad — then top it with crispy wonton strips, sunflower seeds, mandarin orange slices, almond slivers, green onions, some pre-cooked shrimp, chopped dates and a simple vinaigrette. A Greek salad doesn’t even have to include lettuce! Chop up some cucumbers, tomatoes and red onion and marinate it with olive oil and red wine vinegar. Then top it with feta crumbles, garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed), kalamata olive slices and a sprinkle of oregano.
Lightened Up Pastas — Much like lettuce, pasta is a neutral that can be jazzed up in a variety of ways and flavor profiles. Rather than heavy dishes like spaghetti and meatballs or chicken alfredo, think chilled pastas with lots of fresh vegetables (think brightly colored and crunchy selections for a variety of flavors and textures) and a light drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon, for example. A bit batch of pasta can be cooked up at the beginning of the week and served in many different ways throughout the week without becoming boring leftovers. For example, toss pasta with cooked broccoli and asparagus, a few spoonfuls of parmesan cheese and pepper or make a bruschetta pasta featuring marinated tomatoes and onions, mini mozzarella balls and fresh basil.
Wrap it Up — Instead of burgers and hot dogs with filling buns, why not lighten up a summer BBQ with wraps? An array of deli meats, salamis, cheeses, tomatoes, onions and other toppings can be wrapped up with lettuce (butter lettuce works great for this because it’s soft and pliable. Romaine leaves are another great option) or a flavorful tortilla for a twist on poolside dining. Get creative with sauces and aioli for dipping — and no one will miss the grilled meats!
Regardless of what is being served up this summer, keep it easy, stress-free and chill (literally). With temperatures this hot, no one needs to be spending too much time heating up their homes with the oven and stovetop. Lighten up with tasty and refreshing meals that don’t require too much energy — but that are delicious and satisfying. And remember to stop into the Palm & Pantry for any provisions to spice up those summer meals.
