Summer Eating: The Art of Non-Recipes

Summer eating is in full swing and I have compiled a list of what I call “non-recipe" meal ideas! These are things I like to make that don't necessarily require measurements and step-by-step instructions, but rather just the idea and ingredients! In the summer I don't like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen trying to figure out recipes. But I love taking what's available and turning it into a meal creatively and intuitively! These are some things I come back to again and again during the summer that make the perfect quick lunch or easy side paired with a main protein.

Pizzas:

BBQ chicken, bacon, pineapple, green peppers, red onion
Buffalo chicken, bacon, red onion, green onion, cilantro, drizzle of honey
Butter, garlic, oregano, chili flakes, mozzarella cheese
Pesto, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes
Classic mozzarella cheese and pepperoni
Pepperoni, ham, meatballs, sausage, mozzarella cheese, drizzle of honey hot sauce

Sandwiches/Wraps/Toast:

Grilled chicken, bacon, ranch, tomato, lettuce, provolone cheese
Hard boiled egg, carrot, cucumber, honey mustard, dill, pickled onions
Nut butter, chocolate chips, berries, coconut flakes
Avocado, tomato, everything but the bagel seasoning
Cream cheese, arugula, tomato, balsamic
Cream cheese, pickled onion, cucumber, carrot, dill
Bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo
Pesto, tomato, mozzarella cheese
Cream cheese and salami
Avocado, fried egg, green onions, chili flakes
Salami, pepperoni, ham, mozzarella cheese, pickled banana peppers, red onion, Italian dressing
Burger, caramelized onions, cheese, frisco sauce

Salads:

Pasta salad— noodles, fresh veggies, whatever meat on hand, oregano dressing
Potato salad— potatoes, hard boiled eggs, pickles, red onion, mayo
Raw carrot salad— shredded carrot, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, lemon, dijon mustard, sea salt
Chicken salad— shredded chicken, red onion, celery, seasonal fruit, mayo, salt, pepper
Egg salad— hard boiled eggs, mayo, sweet relish, salt
Fruit salad— seasonal fruit washed and chopped, splash of orange juice and honey
Cucumber tomato salad— Cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, basil, balsamic vinegar, salt

Salsas:

Mango salsa— mango, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime, salt
Peach salsa— peaches, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime, salt
Corn salsa— sweet corn, jalapeños, red onion, cilantro, lime, salt
Black bean— black beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, salt
Mango avocado salsa— avocado, mango, red onion, jalapeños, cilantro, lime, salt
Mediterranean salsa— cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley, mint, lemon, salt

Smoothies:

Peaches n cream— peaches, banana, yogurt, vanilla, orange juice
Red velvet— raspberries, banana, cocoa powder, vanilla, nut butter, milk
Strawberry banana— strawberries, banana, vanilla, orange juice
Pina colada— pineapple, banana, coconut, pineapple juice
Buckeye— banana, peanut butter, cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla
Black forest— banana, cherries, yogurt, cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla, milk, chocolate chips

Do you have any go-to summer foods that are quick and easy to whip up? Please do share in the comments below so we can all expand our repertoire!

Blessings,

Kaetlyn