Whether you're chilling poolside or heading out for a picnic in the sun, these refreshing, healthy and perfect-for-summer recipes will make you the talk of the town. Enjoy these recipes any time of day and widen your summer palettes.
Melon and Apple Granita
yields 8 servings
This granita uses sweet ripe melon for flavor, apple juice instead of sugar and a touch of lime juice to perk up the flavors. Berries look beautiful on top; or if you can find fresh figs, add them. For a vibrant look, make with an orange-fleshed melon, such as cantaloupe, Charentais or orange honeydew.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cubed ripe melon
- 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
Prep:
- Combine melon, apple juice and lime juice in a blender; puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch glass or metal pan.
- Place the pan on a level surface in your freezer. Freeze, stirring and scraping with a fork every 30 minutes, moving the frozen edges in toward the slushy center and crushing any lumps, until the granita is firm but not frozen solid, 3 to 4 hours.
- Remove from the freezer; use a metal spatula or large spoon to break up the frozen ice into small slivers. Pack into an airtight plastic container and freeze for at least 1 hour more.
- Remove from the freezer about 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Use a wide spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the granita into shallow bowls. Sprinkle blueberries and raspberries over each portion and garnish with mint leaves, if desired.
Nutrition per serving:66 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 17 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 17 mg sodium; 277 mg potassium.
Roasted Corn with Basil-Shallot Vinaigrette
yields 4 servings
A simple combination - roasted corn with a basil vinaigrette - has a fresh flavor that is pure summer.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups fresh corn kernels
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Prep:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss corn and oil to coat and spread out on a large baking sheet. Bake, stirring once, until some kernels begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Combine basil, shallot, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the corn; toss to coat. Serve warm or cold.
Nutrition per serving: 165 calories; 8 g fat ( 1 g sat , 6 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 23 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 163 mg sodium; 332 mg potassium.
Tropical Cucumber Salad
yields 4 servings
Combine cucumber, avocado and mango with a salty-sweet dressing for a taste of the tropics
Ingredients:
- 3-5 teaspoons fish sauce, (see Shopping Tip)
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 medium English cucumber, cut into 3/4-inch dice
- 1 avocado, cut into 3/4-inch dice
- 1 mango, cut into 3/4-inch dice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Prep:
Whisk fish sauce to taste, lime zest, lime juice, oil, brown sugar, vinegar and crushed red pepper in a large bowl until combined. Add cucumber, avocado, mango and cilantro; gently toss to coat. Serve garnished with lime zest, if desired.
Nutrition per serving: 169 calories; 11 g fat ( 1 g sat , 7 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 2 g added sugars; 3 g protein; 5 g fiber; 178 mg sodium; 342 mg potassium.
The weather's getting nicer, and you know what that means...your winter clothes are coming off, and your tanks and bikinis are coming on! And that’s a good thing, because these five moves will summer-tone you in no time. Jayme Boyle, group fitness director for Equinox gyms,designed a plan to firm up everything you’ve been ignoring all winter. Do this routine three times a week with your regular cardio and you’ll see results in a month!!
Toning Move #1: Tank Top Cross Arm Punch
works shoulders, biceps, triceps
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands in fists by shoulders and elbows by sides. Bend knees and twist torso left as you punch with right arm, as shown. Return to center; repeat on opposite side. Continue punching from side to side for 20 counts, then extend arms out at shoulder height in a T, palms down. Hold for 10 counts; return to start. That’s one set; work up to four sets.
Toning Move #2: Short Shorts Twisting Lunge
works butt, hips, thighs, calves
With feet hip-width apart, squat as if you were to sit in a chair and reach arms overhead, palms in. Hold 10 counts. Then step right foot back into a lunge, twist torso left and reach right hand to floor as you raise left arm up, as shown. Bring right foot forward and switch legs (left hand to floor, right arm up). Do 20 lunges; return to start. That’s one set; work up to three sets
Toning Move #3: Miniskirt Leg Kickback
works butt, hips, hamstrings
On all fours, lift left leg, knee bent, toward ceiling until thigh is parallel to the floor, foot flexed, as shown. Pulse left heel a few inches up and down for 20 counts (it’s a small but effective movement). Then straighten left leg out to the side, toes just skimming the ground and hold for 10 counts. Return to start and switch legs. That’s one set; work up to three set
Toning Move #4: Bare Dress Swim-to-Plank
works chest, arms, back, abs
Lie facedown with arms and legs extended. Lift right arm and left leg off the floor as high as you can, as shown, and lower. Switch sides and repeat for 20 counts, alternating sides the whole time. Then get into plank position (it should look like the top of a push-up: hands under shoulders; body in a straight line from head to heels) and hold for 10 counts. That’s one set; do two sets.
Toning Move #5: Bikini Abs Leg Roll
works upper and lower abs
Lie on your back; hug knees toward chest in a ball, shoulder blades off the floor. Pull belly button toward your spine and extend both legs out as arms reach back overhead, keeping head and shoulder blades off the ground, as shown. Bring knees to chest again, quickly reaching out and in 20 times. Hold ball position for 10 counts. That’s one set; do three sets
