Summer recipes:
The cooking is easy!

Summer wouldn't be complete without making my favorite summer recipes!

When the weather gets hot, I don't want to spend time in a hot kitchen. I want to make great food quickly, and then spend my time playing at the beach, connecting with family and friends, relaxing in the hammock, camping and picnicking.



With these easy summer recipes, you can enjoy your summer and eat well too!

Summer BBQ Recipes

Nothing says summer like getting out the barbeque! Whether you use a gas grill or a charcoal grill, you'll enjoy these great recipes

• Brush some delicious Homemade Barbecue Sauce on your steak!

• Did you know that marinating not only flavors your meat, but also reduces the health risks associated with eating barbecued foods? Here are some easy Barbecue Marinade recipes.
  
  
• What would summer be without Hamburgers? This easy recipe uses ingredients you probably have around the house right now.

• For a meatless alternative, try these tasty Veggie Burgers.

Summer Dessert Recipes

On hot days, you probably don't want a heavy dessert. Here are some great light summer desserts.

• This Chocolate Pudding is perfect for summer because it requires no cooking.

• Lemon Mousse Cheesecake is a light and refreshing dessert. The recipe is in "A Day of Blender Recipes".
  
  
• As soon as the weather gets not, I crave Smoothies - for breakfast, for lunch, and for snacks. It's a good thing that they are so nutritious!

• When fresh strawberries are in season, we enjoy eating Strawberry Scones.

Summer Salad Recipes

On the hottest days, you don't feel like eating a hot meal. Have a salad instead!

• I don't know why Caesar Salad makes me think of summer - but it does! This recipe is easy and delicious.

• I make this Pasta Salad year-round, but it's especially great in the summer. It makes a nice light lunch.

• I've tried lots of Potato Salad recipes over the years. This is one of my favorites. Since it doesn't have mayonnaise, it can safely be taken on picnics.
  
  
• Shrimp and Mango Salad is a delicious summer meal. It's fancy enough to serve to company, but it's so good that you'll want to make it for yourself regularly too!

Picnic Food

We love going on picnics! Here are some of our favorite summer recipes for picnics.

• Marinated Tofu is great hot or cold. Served cold, it's a good finger food - perfect to tuck in a picnic basket.

• Cold Oven Fried Chicken is a wonderful picnic entrée.
  
  
• Vegetable Pâté with crackers, or spread on French bread, is an ideal picnic lunch.

You'll find more suggestions on this page of Picnic Food Ideas.

Are you planning a family camping trip? Here are lots of family camping food ideas.

In the summer I often like to graze on a plate of tortilla chips with salsa. For lots of recipes for salsa, guacamole, fajitas and much more, visit this site.

Home from summer recipes to healthy quick meals.