Summer Eats

For me, summer is all about heat, and trying to refresh and stay cool. Living in the south, summers aren't the best time for heavy meals, so it's best to find light, fresh foods that satisfy. Seasonal fruits & veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Of course, BBQ's are a summer must, but we save them for cooler evenings if possible!

This summer, my favorite recipes feature big flavors, and fewer starches. The unique thing about these foods is that they're served cold, with the exception of my favorite summer grilled foods.

Caprese Salad

A light, fresh salad of hearty tomato slices, fresh mozzarella, and basil. This salad is sure to please even the pickiest of palates! It's gently seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil. To amp up my caprese salad, I love to add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The balsamic really makes the salad pop!

Gazpacho

If you love fresh produce, you'll love gazpacho! It's a thin, chilled, tomato soup, spiced with peppers and garlic. You can serve it blended or whole. However, if you blend it, the flavors all meld together, and it's absolutely delicious! For an extra kick, I like to add a dash of hot sauce!

Kebabs

There are 100's of ways to make kebabs, it all depends on the seasonings you use to marinate the meat and cook them. The only rule of kebabs is that you have meat and/or vegetables on a skewer, that are well seasoned & grilled to perfection!

My favorite kebabs are:

• Chicken Nicoise: Toss cubed chicken breast and pancetta, olives and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, oregano and salt. Skewer and grill.
• Israeli Lamb: Mix 1 pound ground lamb with 1 cup each minced onion and chopped parsley and 2 teaspoons each paprika, salt and pepper. Form into 2-inch ovals; skewer and grill.
• Steakhouse: Marinate cubed beef tri-tip in 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon each soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chopped parsley and thyme; add salt and pepper. Skewer with onion, mushroom and boiled potato; grill.
• Veggie Souvlaki: Mash 3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon each coriander seeds and olive oil, and 1 teaspoon each cumin, paprika and salt into a paste. Brush on zucchini, eggplant and bell pepper chunks. Skewer and grill.

These foods can be found at any restaurant, but they're also super easy to make at home. So, get out there and make some delicious food!

Recipes & photos compliments of the Food Network. They've been my summer cooking inspiration this year, and I highly recommend their recipes!