Do you consider yourself someone who “can’t cook?” Even when you spend hours scrolling food blogs and savoring the visuals of recipe TikToks, you still don’t think you’d ever be able to execute anything more than a microwave pizza in your kitchen? Well, we’re here to help you put that doubt aside with some easy meals to make at home this summer. The summer months are a great time to try fresh, new ingredients and discover recipes that will become lifelong favorites. Who knows, you might find yourself going from someone who doesn’t cook to someone who savors moments in the kitchen. Why not try one of the recipes below and find out!
1. A Fresh Summer Salad
If you’re someone who’s been avoiding making meals on the stove for a hot minute, it’s smart to start simply. Get back into the groove of cooking by slicing and dicing some fresh fruits and veggies up for a summer salad. There are a number of great summer salad options out there, so you can mix up which flavors you want to try depending on your mood. Here are two of our faves:
2. Watermelon Feta Salad
This salad is a breeze to whip up as the perfect side for summer barbecues and picnics. In order to make it, cube a watermelon (if you buy store-bought sliced watermelon and cut it up from there, we won’t judge!), and mix it in a bowl with feta cheese, and some sliced red onions. If you want a more filling salad, you can mix the ingredients above with a few handfuls of arugula, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar for a dressing.
3. Peach and Avocado Salad
Peaches are a delicious stone fruit that’s at its ripest during the summer months, making it a great addition to a summer salad. Cut your peaches into wedges, and add them to a bed of mixed greens. If you’ve got a grill you can use, peaches also taste great grilled for a warm salad option. Add some chopped avocado and feta to your salad to make it fully come together. Then, drizzle with a white wine vinaigrette.
4. Spicy Summer Tacos
Tacos are one of our favorite things to eat when dining out, and we’re sure you love them too. But did you know they’re super easy to whip up at home? Here are our tips for making the best summer chicken tacos with a little bit of a spicy kick:
Marinate Your Meat the Night Before
The key to incredibly flavorful taco meat is all about your marinade. To marinate chicken for your tacos, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano (or any spices you desire), with a bit of olive oil and lime. Dice your chicken into bite sized cubes, and place them in a ziploc bag with the marinade mixture and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. If you’re making a meal on a time crunch, you can definitely do a marinade the day of, just be aware that your meat may not be as flavorful. Once you’re ready to cook, toss your marinated chicken into a pan and sizzle it up.
Time to Assemble!
Once your chicken is cooked, it’s time to assemble your tacos! Toast your tortillas over the stove or in the microwave so they’re soft and warm. If you’re a fan of beans on your tacos, you can also easily whip those up on the stove: just plop a can into a pan and let them simmer while your meat cooks. Once all your warm ingredients are ready, assemble your taco by adding chicken, beans, and any toppings you want, like salsa, cheese, and of course, a hearty serving of guacamole!
A Sweet Summer Smoothie
If you’re really averse to cooking, perhaps the simplest recipe to start with is a smoothie. All you’ve got to do is chop up your desired ingredients and drop them in a blender. Plus, they’re the perfect breakfast or lunch to cool down with on a hot summer day. Here are some of our go-to smoothies for summer:
Strawberry-Watermelon Smoothie
Strawberries and watermelon are a perfect summer combo. Dice your watermelon into small cubes and remove any seeds. Then, slice your strawberries, being sure to cut off the green stems at the top. Add to a blender with ice, and blend to your desired thickness. Summer in a glass!
Nectarine-Yogurt Smoothie
Nectarines are another delicious stone fruit that’s in peak ripeness during the summer months. Cut your nectarines into quarters and add to a blender with some sliced banana, a cup of greek yogurt, and a dash of milk of your choice. Add a dash of honey for added sweetness and blend together until smooth.
While cooking can feel daunting when you haven’t done it for a while, the summer months are the perfect time to break your cooking fast and get back in the kitchen to try out some tasty seasonal recipes. What recipes are you excited to try this summer?