Simple and Scrumptious Summer Dishes

Summer is already in full swing here in Florida. We spent the afternoon yesterday playing the sprinkler, and I found myself dreaming of ways to make this summer simpler and less busy - to cultivate rest and refreshment. (That might be a future post.;))

I love finding easy, simple, light and refreshing meal ideas for summer. Who wants to heat up the kitchen or spend hours in it when it's summer time? Not this momma.

So, I wanted to share some of my favorite summer recipes with you.

Teriyaki Marinade
(This is fantastic with steak, chicken, or fish.)

For every 2 lbs of meat, combine:
1/2 cup of coconut aminos
1/4 honey
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
5-6 cloves of garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Allow meat to marinade at least 2 hours, but overnight is best.
This marinade is so versatile. It is probably my most frequently used grilling recipe. It is amazing for kebabs and we love grilling up a bunch of chicken on the weekend to use in salads and wraps during the week.

Greek Turkey Burgers
(These are another grill favorite. My daughter regularly requests these. They're actually on the menu tonight.)

2 lbs. ground turkey
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup chopped mixed herbs (like basil, oregano, sage, thyme, and marjoram) or 1 teaspoon dry
2 -3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups coarsely chopped spinach leaves (stems removed)
1/4 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
5 oz. feta cheese

Combine all ingredients and divide into patties. Grill to desired doneness.
Then serve with or without a bun, topped with hummus, or yummy homemade tzatziki sauce*, lettuce, tomato, olives, and red onion.
Truly delicious.

*Homemade Tzatziki Sauce:
1 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup finely diced, peeled and seeded cucumber
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (yellow or sweet works best)
4 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
1/2 lemon squeezed
2 tablespoons olive oil
fresh chopped dill or parsley (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Combine and enjoy.

Summer Strawberry and Avocado Salad
(This salad is so refreshing and is such a lovely accompaniment to any summer meal.)

6 ounces of spring mix
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 sliced avocado
5 ounces feta

Arrange strawberry slices, avocado, and feta on top of spring mix. Serve with Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado Yogurt Dressing or Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Fresh Quinoa Salad
(This is a meal if you want it to be. Quinoa is a fantastic source of plant-based protein. It's one of my favorites.)

1 cup of cooked quinoa
1 cup fresh kale, de-stemmed, and broken into small bite size pieces
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped red onion
juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 tablespoons olive oil

Toss all ingredients together for a lovely, fresh salad. Enjoy at room temperature or after chilling for a few hours.

Broccoli and Grape Salad
(This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy raw broccoli.)

3 cups of raw broccoli, washed and broken apart into bite size florets
1 1/2 cups of halved red seedless grapes
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup of bacon, cooked crispy, drained, and crumbled
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Toss together and then prepare dressing:
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
juice of 1 lemon
zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons honey
salt and pepper to taste

Whisk together and pour over salad. Toss to coat and store in fridge until ready to serve. Salad is best eaten within a day of preparing it.


Enjoy creating fresh, simple, whole-food based meals, friends. Eat good and you'll feel good. But more importantly, eating well is a way we steward our amazing bodies well so they are ready for the Master's use.

Happy Friday!
<3 Amy