Summer is all about getting outdoors, spending time with others, and enjoying the seasonal food that makes summer magical. While burgers and hot dogs are almost certainly on the menu, the summer doesn’t mean that you have to eat unhealthily the entire time. With the right mix of local produce, you can create dishes that invigorate your body without making you feel sluggish. Here are some delicious, fresh, and healthy summer recipes that are perfect for every occasion.
1. Grilled Chicken Breasts with Spicy Peach Glaze
For the perfect mix of sweet and savory, you can beat grilled chicken with a spicy peach glaze. Throughout most of the summer, peaches are in season, making them extra sweet. This pairs well with a savory piece of chicken, as well as some jalapeno, pepper, and Dijon mustard. Remember to look for our label at your local grocer for the finest, freshest peaches on the market.
The chicken breasts just need a bit of salt, pepper, and olive oil before they go on the grill. To make the spicy peach glaze, combine:
- 2 cups of peach preserves and 4 fresh peaches
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 tbsp. chopped garlic
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
For the coup de grace, halve four peaches. Throw them on the grill, and chop them up when done. Meanwhile, brush the grilled chicken breast with the peach glaze. Add the peaches on top of the chicken and you’re done!
2. Summer Berry Salad
Many of the best-tasting berries are at their sweetest and ripest during the summer, so turning them into a fresh, healthy dish makes perfect sense. By adding a zesty lime and honey dressing, you can make your taste buds dance even a little bit more!
Start by washing your favorite berries. Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are all ripe during the summer, so mix and match to get your favorite flavors. You’ll need about 4 cups in total.
Next, juice and zest half of a lime in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of honey and some finely chopped mint and whisk the concoction together. Drizzle the dressing over the berries or toss them in a plastic bag to coat them and enjoy.
3. Strawberry Basil Margarita
Is the summer really the summer without sipping on a margarita? Probably not. But add in fresh strawberries and ripe basil, and you have the recipe for a tasty, fresh, refreshing, and even healthy (as far as adult beverages) drink. Here’s how to do it.
Add these ingredients together in a blender:
- ½ cup of tequila
- ½ pint of strawberries
- 1.5 ounces of triple sec
- 1 ounce of lime juice
- 1 tbsp. of honey
Pulverize until it’s thoroughly mixed.
Finely chop a few sprigs of basil and place them in the bottom of a glass and muddle them to release the oils and flavors. Add ice to the glass and pour the strawberry-tequila mix into the glass. Enjoy!
This Summer, Shop Local
No matter what exciting, fresh, and healthy dish you decide to create, make sure that you go the extra mile by shopping local. With fresh fruits and veggies from local growers and sellers, you can support the local economy while also getting the best-tasting foods available. The summer has never tasted so good!
At DLJ Produce, we pride ourselves on providing the finest, freshest produce to all the local grocers nationwide. We support shopping local and ask you to do the same.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe and would love to hear about it, so leave us a comment or send us a message. What’s a good recipe if not shared with friends? If you’ve loved this summer fresh recipe, share it with family and friends.
