With temperatures touching 40 and beyond, eating a heavy dinner, let alone prepping one, sounds like quite the debilitating task up ahead. These three delicious, hydrating and light but filling recipes are the perfect antidote to your heat woes.
Tzatziki chickpea salad
Ingredients: For the salad — chickpeas - 1 can, finely sliced celery - 3/4 cup, chopped capers - 2tbsps; for the tzatziki — grated cucumbers - 2 cups, Greek yoghurt - 1.25 cups, lemon juice - 1tbsp, extra virgin olive oil - 2.5tbsps, roughly chopped fresh dill - 1/4 cup, garlic clove - 1, salt to taste
Method: Put the Tzatziki ingredients in a big bowl and mix. Add the chickpeas, celery and capers, mix again. Wait for an hour to allow the flavours to settle in. It's going to taste even more bomb (and crispy cool) the next day. Add the olive oil drizzle right before you dig in.
(recipe from NY Times)
Chilled avocado soup
Ingredients: Peeled and chopped cucumber - 1, ripe avocados - 2, plain Greek yoghurt - 1 cup, roughly chopped jalapeno - 1, chopped green onions - 2, cilantro - 1 packed cup, salt to taste, ground cumin - 1/2tsp, ground coriander - 1/2tsp, iced water - 1/5 cups, cilantro and olive oil for garnish
Method: Add the cucumber, avocados, Greek yogurt, jalapeno, green onions, lime juice, cilantro, salt, cumin and coriander in a blender with the ice water. Blend on high until everything is smooth. Adjust the salt and chill the for at least an hour and up to 24 hours before serving. Garnish with olive oil and cilantro.
{{/usCountry}}Method: Add the cucumber, avocados, Greek yogurt, jalapeno, green onions, lime juice, cilantro, salt, cumin and coriander in a blender with the ice water. Blend on high until everything is smooth. Adjust the salt and chill the for at least an hour and up to 24 hours before serving. Garnish with olive oil and cilantro.
{{/usCountry}}(recipe from Andrea Buckett)
Asian lettuce wrap
Ingredients: Lettuce leaves, kelp noodles (optional) - 1/2 cup, thinly sliced zucchini - 1, thinly sliced mango - 1/2, thinly sliced radish - 2 to 3, scallions - 1/4 cup, Thai red peppers - 1 to 2, fresh mint - handful, choice of protein (chicken/edamame/tofu), lime wedges and sriracha for serving; ginger-soy dipping sauce — soy sauce - 1/4 cup, rice vinegar - 3tbsps, minced ginger - 1tsp, honey - 2tsps, sesame oil - 1/4tsp, diced chili pepper (optional)
Method: Mix the sauce ingredients together and set aside. Arrange all the veggies on a firm lettuce leaf. Roll up, dip in sauce and enjoy.
(recipe from Love & Lemons)
Your friendly reminder that your dinner doesn't need to drain you, it can be flavourful and hydrating!