Summer Recipes

The sweltering heat of 2013 shows no signs of slowing, and neither should you. Here are three simple, light and healthy recipes guaranteed to put a spring in your step through the rest of summer. Enjoy.

Spice Salmon with Mustard Sauce

Okay, so red meat is too heavy and poultry is too boring. But, there are a lot of proteins in the sea. Try this salmon recipe from Maureen Callahan and Cooking Light. You will need:

-2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
-1 teaspoon honey
-1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
-1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
-1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
-Cooking spray

1) Preheat broiler
2) Combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring well with a fork.
3) Rub mustard mixture evenly over each fillet. Place fillets, skin side down, on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray.
4) Broil 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.
5) Serve with some sort of wilted greens and rice or quinoa.

Fruit Juice Smoothie

For a cool, refreshing and vitamin-packed blast of something sweet, fruit smoothies are a great alternative to traditional dessert. However, some are better than others in terms of sugar content. The recipe below is super easy and contains nothing questionable. You will need:
-4 ounces of unsweetened juice (orange, papaya, apple, pineapple or all of the above).
-2 ounces soy milk or coconut water
-2 tablespoons frozen apple juice (if desired for extra sweetness)
-half of a banana
-1/2 cup of ice
-1 tablespoon protein powder
1) Combine ingredients in a blender
2) Mix contents until blended smooth and serve

Diane’s Dad’s Summer Sandwich (*Vegetarian Friendly)
This one seems a little strange at first, but it’s specifically aimed at all the adventurous and experimental vegetarians emerging out of Generation Y and Me’s countercultures. The recipe comes from an entry in this year’s Taste of Summer Contest on National Public Radio. The applicant dubbed it Diane’s Dad’s Summer Sandwich. You will need:
-2 slices of crunchy whole-wheat bread
-thinly tomato slices
-thin Vidalia onion slices
-thin cucumber slices
-slice of sharp cheddar cheese
-crunchy peanut butter (to your liking)
1) Stack the ingredients and scarf it down.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.