Healthy and simple summer staples

Healthy and simple summer staples

Healthy summer staples to keep on hand for when cooking seems too complicated

Summertime is ramping up, and soon behind is the heat! The season tends to hold a special laid-back vibe that evokes pool days, patio nights and easy living. So who wants to fuss with a complex meal cooked in a hot kitchen? Sphinx Date Co. encourages home cooks and summer hosts to forgo fancy dinners for casual, set it out and forget it nibbles that are nourishing, delicious and best of all, easy. Here are some no-fail summer recipe ideas and suggested staples to keep on hand that can be used to whip up a quick bite any time of day.

Breakfast

Overnight oats deserve more hype than they get! They’re versatile, customizable, healthy and yes, easy! At their most basic, overnight oats require just two things: oats and milk in equal amounts. Now the fun part, load up each jar with favorite add-ins such as dried fruits, such as dates, chia seeds, yogurt, a sweetener of choice (if desired), dark chocolate chips, nuts or seeds. Then place the jars in the fridge until morning, top with fresh fruit or granola before serving and enjoy! The best part is that all the ingredients for this morning meal typically have a pretty long shelf life or are items that are in many people’s regular rotation of fresh grocery items.

Peaches are having a moment this summer and for good reason! These cheeky stone fruits are in season during the summer, delicious and can be purchased fresh, canned or jarred to have on hand anytime. Consider a quick breakfast of peaches paired with blended cottage cheese or Greek yogurt on a slice of toast.

Lunch

An easy combination of peaches, strawberries, and brie can be served as an appetizer or even a light meal for a quick lunchtime break from the pool. Simply cube a wheel of brie and chop strawberries and peaches into similar bite sizes. Then toss in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, honey, some finely diced walnuts (optional), and fresh basil. Serve with packaged crostini or entertainment crackers of choice.

Watermelon screams summer. This juicy, vibrant fruit is so refreshing simply cut into wedges, but what about as a light main dish salad with burrata or feta, mint, a splash of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and some fresh ground black pepper? Simply chop, toss in a big bowl and let guests scoop and serve themselves.

Dinner

Rotisserie chicken from the store is an unsung hero of easy meals. There are truly endless ways to use it, served hot right from the bag or cooled, shredded and served on any variety of classic crispy salads (Asian chicken salad with ramen noodles for a crunch, for example). When hosting an easy gathering or simply not in the mood to turn on the oven, grab a rotisserie chicken and get creative!

Pasta salads are a great way to provide a filling meal that doesn’t require a ton of work. Yes, this does require cooking up some pasta. However, fresh pasta varieties only take a few minutes and can be served cold for a refreshing option. So with a little advanced planning, hosts can serve pasta salad as a main dish on a warm summer evening without too much hassle. Chilled pasta can be tossed with a can of peas, bacon (which can be bought precooked), parmesan, chopped scallions and a light creamy dressing. Or toss chilled pasta with arugula, chopped and drained canned artichoke hearts, lemon zest, chopped pistachios for some crunch and a lemon-based dressing.

Here is a quick summer staples checklist

Need some inspiration to stock up this summer? Come by the Palm & Pantry and explore all the delicious staples that can be used throughout the season to help boost an incredible summer meal that requires little effort.

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