By Sarah Fertsch
It’s hot. You may feel like you’re living inside a giant convection oven with all of this heat. We are all desperate for ways to beat the heat, so jump in a pool, turn on a fan, or wear a flowy sundress, and try these cool summer recipes:
Watermelon Gazpacho
This cold soup will refresh you and make for a unique lunch dish to share with family or friends. It’s so easy, too!
Ingredients:
- 6 cups of seedless watermelon
- 1 cucumber
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- 1 large tomato
- ½ cup of lemon juice
- ½ cup of lime juice
- 2 tbsp of red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Crumbled feta as a garnish
Blend watermelon and pour into a large bowl. Peel cucumber and chop roughly. Chop pepper and remove seeds. Chop tomato and remove seeds. Blend cucumber, pepper, and tomato and stir into the watermelon mixture. Add lemon and lime juice, salt and pepper, and red wine vinegar. Stir thoroughly, and strain into another large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for three hours. Serve chilled, and top with crumbled feta. Yum!
Caprese Salad
This classic salad will make you feel like you’ve arrived in the Italian countryside. Make sure to use the freshest, most local ingredients!
Ingredients:
- 1 quart of mozzarella balls
- 2 pints of baby tomatoes
- 2 cups of chopped basil leaves
- ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2 tbsp of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Wash baby tomatoes and pour in a large bowl. Chop basil leaves and add to the large bowl. Combine with mozzarella balls, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Serve cold, and enjoy with a slice of crusty bread!
Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail
Sip this delicious mixed drink and taste summer relaxation! The cucumber-mint flavors will quench your thirst and beat the summer heat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber, sliced thinly
- 1 cup of mint leaves
- 1 cup of vodka
- 2 cups of lemonade
- 1 cup of sparkling water
Wash and slice cucumber, and roughly chop mint leaves. In a large pitcher, place cucumber slices and mint leaves (leave some cucumber slices for garnish). Combine with vodka, lemonade, and sparkling water. Stir thoroughly, and serve drinks over ice with a slice of cucumber placed on the rim of the glass as a garnish. So refreshing!
Homemade Nutella Ice Cream
When you taste the nutty sweetness of this ice cream, you’ll never buy ice cream from the grocery store again. And you don’t need an ice cream machine to make this dessert!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of heavy cream
- 1 can of condensed milk
- ½ jar of Nutella
- ½ tsp of vanilla extract
- ½ tsp of salt
Whip heavy cream and salt until stiff peaks form. Add condensed milk, Nutella and vanilla, stirring carefully to not break peaks. Pour mixture into a freezer-safe container and place in the freezer for 18-24 hours. Scoop and treat yourself!
