3 Perfect Meals to Make This Summer

Summer may be the best time to have fun in the sun, but your kitchen is the place to be during this season. The summertime offers a bountiful harvest of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and with the right recipe in mind, you can cook up a flavorful storm for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Of course, one important factor you must consider when cooking is eating things that can keep your body cool. After all, this is the season when the climate is at its hottest. And although these guilt-free meals are not your typical frozen treats, their ingredients and flavors will freshen up your taste buds and keep you nourished.

1. Flank Steak and Watermelon Salad

Eating a little bit of red meat does not hurt, especially when it’s grilled. With the addition of the watermelon salad, there is an added crunchy texture to the meal. Besides watermelon, the other summer ingredient in this recipe is arugula. When combined, the watermelon and arugula make a superb salad filled with vitamin C, B6, and potassium.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 ½-2lbs. flank steak
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cups of arugula greens
• ¼ cups of chopped red onion
• 1 cup croutons
• 2 cups of watermelon (sliced into chunks)
• ½ cup feta cheese (optional)
• Sea salt

Directions:

1. Make the dry rub by mixing the brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder in a small bowl. Once that is done, massage the rub all over the steak.
2. Preheat the grill or cast iron grill pan on high heat before placing the steak. Let the steak cook for 5 minutes on each side, and let it rest for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. While waiting for the meat to rest, mix together vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. After that, add the arugula, onions, croutons, and watermelon, and start tossing the salad.
4. When serving the steak on a plate, slice the meat against the grain. Add the salad on top or the side and sprinkle feta cheese and sea salt.

2. Corn and Tomato Pasta

Pasta dishes are great alternatives for high-carb meals. Not only are they healthier, but they are easier to prepare. In this recipe, the summer ingredients you’ll be using are corn and tomato. This fruit and vegetable combo is filled with all sorts of vitamins and nutrients, which include niacin, manganese, and vitamin B6.

Ingredients:

• Salt
• 1 lbs. bow-tie pasta
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (smashed)
• 1-pint cherry tomatoes
• 3 ears of fresh corn (kernels cut off)
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• ¼ c. fresh basil leaves (torn into pieces)

Directions:

1. Heat a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta until al dente (or according to packaging). Once that is done, drain the liquid and set the cooked pasta aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Then, add the garlic and tomatoes and cook. Remember to stir the skillet occasionally, until the tomatoes are softened. After 5 minutes, add the corn, raise the heat slightly, and cook until the corn is heated through and golden. Season to taste with salt.
3. Finally, add the cooked vegetables, butter, and basil into the pasta, and toss before serving.

3. Turkey Sandwich With a Twist

If you are constantly on the go during summer, then packing a sandwich is a great way to eat a perfect meal without any fuss. Now, do not mistake this turkey sandwich recipe with the others, because the filling for this meal has peaches and arugula. The fruit and vegetable mix gives the sandwich a nice tangy, sweet, and crisp sensation. Plus, this recipe is packed with good vitamins, which include vitamin E, K, and thiamin.

Ingredients:

• 1 ciabatta roll
• 3-4 turkey slices
• 2 whole peach slices (must be round)
• 4 slices of Brie cheese
• ¾ c. arugula
• ¼ c. mayo
• 1 tbsp. sriracha sauce
• ¼ tsp. chili powder

Directions:

1. Slice the ciabatta roll and top it with the turkey slices, peach slices, and Brie cheese.
2. Bake the sandwich in an open face position in a 375-degree oven for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
3. While that’s baking, mix the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and chili powder in a bowl to make the chili mayo.
4. When the sandwich is ready, spread the mayo on the ciabatta roll and close the sandwich.

A Couple of Things to Remember When Planning a Summer Diet Menu

If you decide to add these recipes to your personal summer menu, you must remember a few things. First, do not go overboard with your meals. Always eat enough food to give your body the proper energy and nutrition it needs. Second, if you want your diet to generate better results, pair it up with exercise. Exercising is the best way to burn your calories, and it keeps your body active during summer. Lastly, if you are having trouble with your weight and it seems like it has little to do with the food you eat, it is best that you visit a health professional. There are a lot of clinics in the areas of Michigan and Arizona that can rule out any physical conditions that may affect your weight, such as endocrine and hormone imbalance disorders. These clinics can also offer you a more personalized nutritional and weight loss/gain plan that will suit your lifestyle and summer plans.

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