Summertime is all about being carefree and trying to stay cool. The usual menu items for dinner may need to be tossed aside because they leave you feeling uncomfortably stuffed in the heat. This summer, tackle some fun new dishes that are light and flavorful to keep you full and enjoying every last bite. Get your ceramic cookware ready and prepare your shopping list. You’re about to enjoy some divine summer dishes that will become seasonal staples.
Watermelon Bacon Salad
Watermelon is a summertime staple. This fruit is refreshing, juicy, and hydrating. But don’t only pull out the watermelon for a summer snack – add it to a meal! Mixing watermelon and bacon into a salad gives the perfect balance of salty and sweet. It’s lightweight, so it won’t leave your stomach feeling heavy but filling enough to enjoy as an entree.
How to make this dish:
- Cook the bacon in your ceramic cookware. Once cooked, place the bacon on a towel to dry off excess grease. Let sit to cool while you prepare the salad.
- Use a bed of your favorite lettuce (romaine, iceberg, kale, etc) and add watermelon and feta cheese. Add some seasoning, if you prefer, before topping with the cooked and sliced bacon.
- Drizzle with some olive oil or balsamic vinaigrette, and enjoy!
Pasta Primavera
Pasta doesn’t have to be a heavy dish saved for cold seasons. Pasta primavera is a light meal that doesn’t leave you feeling bloated. The key is to use fresh vegetables like peppers (green, red, yellow, orange, etc), zucchini, red onions, or tomatoes. The possibilities are endless. Choose what you love. What helps make this dish light is the sauce. You’ll cook the fresh vegetables in olive oil and infuse it with garlic for a light, flavorful taste that won’t feel too heavy.
How to make this dish:
- Prepare your pasta as normal.
- Warm an ounce of olive oil in your ceramic cookware and add 3–4 garlic cloves. Throw in your fresh vegetables and toss to coat. Sprinkle with your favorite seasoning (fresh cracked pepper, sea salt, onion powder, etc)
- Drain your pasta, then plate it.
- Top with fresh vegetables and olive oil.
- Sprinkle with some parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Caprese salad makes a perfect light lunch option, and you can easily make this a dinner entree by adding some flavorful grilled chicken. Traditionally, Caprese features thick slices of mozzarella cheese topped with a layer of sliced tomatoes followed by basil leaves, then drizzled with balsamic vinegarette. Grilled chicken Caprese features a similar concept by simply adding chicken. This light meal will leave you full and satisfied on a warm summer evening.
How to make this dish:
- Grill or pan-sear your chicken and coat with your favorite seasonings (fresh cracked pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, etc).
- Slice the mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil leaves.
- When the chicken is cooked, place them in a line on a ceramic serving dish or individually on plates. Then top with the mozzarella, tomato, and basil leaves, respectively.
- Drizzle the top with balsamic vinaigrette, and enjoy!
Grilled Scallops with Asparagus
Fish makes a great protein for any meal during the summertime. Fish such as scallops, salmon, or flounder are light, which makes them the perfect pairing for a summer meal. Grilled scallops are delicious to make (even if you choose to pan-sear them instead). For a grill, prepare the scallop kabob style and if you’re making them in a pan, you can choose to kabob after cooking. Pair the scallops with a side of fresh grilled asparagus and white or brown rice for a filling meal.
How to make this dish:
- Prepare your rice as directed.
- Pat dry and toss the scallops in olive oil and season with fresh cracked pepper, sea salt, lemon zest, and coriander.
- If grilling, place 4–5 scallops on a skewer to place on the grill. For pan-seared, place the scallops in ceramic cookware. Turn over once for grilling and pan-searing to cook thoroughly.
- While the scallops cook, prepare and cook the asparagus. Similar to the scallops, toss the asparagus in olive oil and season with fresh cracked pepper and sea salt. Grill or pan-sear the asparagus.
- When all is cooked, place together, and enjoy!
Conclusion
With these new dishes, you’re on your way to enjoying beautifully light flavors this summer. Whether you’re eating for one, preparing for a family, or inviting friends or family over for a meal, you’ll be the talk of the meal with these incredible dishes.
