One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and how easy it is to throw together a simply delicious dinner. Last night my parents came to visit, and we all enjoyed a flavor-filled meal that took a matter of minutes to prep, cook, and savor. If you’re in need of some dinner inspiration, read on. I’m about to divulge some recipes that will help you whip up a stellar summer supper in no time.
1. Grilled chicken. Marinate some chicken breasts with equal amounts of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice and season with Borsari citrus seasoning and garlic powder. Grill over medium heat, turning every 10 minutes, until fully cooked.
2. Garden green beans. Nothing compares to fresh-picked garden green beans. If you can’t grow them yourself or get them at a Farmer’s Market, store bought will have to do. Just make sure they’re fresh. No frozen or canned green beans allowed. Steam them and toss them in some melted butter and salt. If you want to get fancy, sauté some slivered almonds in some melted butter and then toss the green beans with the buttery almonds for my favorite Christmas Eve dinner side, green beans amandine.
3. Garden salad. My husband’s Nana made the BEST salad. It took me years before I gained enough confidence to attempt dressing a salad like her. Her secret ingredient to all of her meals was love, and she taught me the best way to incorporate love into the meal was by using your hands when prepping the food. Start with your lettuce of choice. Mine is a variety of greens from my garden, and in off season, a baby spring mix. Add any other veggies of your choice. Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and shredded carrots are great options. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette over the salad. Crush some oregano in your palm and sprinkle it over the salad. Add some salt and pepper. Toss the lettuce, and presto!
4. Spice roasted sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are typically my jam during the colder months, but I had a hankering for some yesterday and was thrilled to find this fantastic recipe from familystylefood.com. You will need 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into cubes, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, and fresh chopped parsley for garnish. Mix the spices and seasonings with the oil in a bowl and then toss the cubed sweet potatoes with the mixture. Spread out evenly on a large baking sheet. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and enjoy.
5. Assorted sliced veggies and fruit of your choice to add to the rainbow of colors that are about to adorn your plate. For the picky eaters who don’t appreciate cooked vegetables, I always provide some raw options. We love sliced cucumbers, red bell peppers, baby carrots, and fresh berries.
This entire meal can be prepped, cooked, and plated in under an hour. Let me know if you give it a try. Your taste buds will thank you.