Light Summer Dinner Recipes and No Bake Desserts
When you come home from a nice relaxing day at the pool, the last thing on your mind is cooking. Why spend the time and heat up the kitchen with long, elaborate recipes? The Editors at RecipeLion have put together a collection of our favorite no-cook and no-bake summer options. We've got quick and easy recipes for appetizers, main courses, sides, salads and desserts. There are even a few frozen cocktails thrown in for after the young ones head off to bed. Most of these recipes require less than half an hour of active work time, but all of them are sure to please!
Table of Contents
Our Favorite Light Summer Recipe
No-Cook Appetizer Recipes
Easy Summer Salad Recipes
Cool Summer Drinks
Fast and Easy Desserts
Our Favorite Light Summer Recipe: Barley and Corn Salad with Jalapeno and Lime Dressing
This cool summer salad is a great side or potluck dish on a hot summer day. Spice it up with the jalapeno and lime dressing and the kids won't even realize they are eating healthful barley and veggies. This dish is quick and easily thrown together at the last minute.
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cup water
- 1 cup uncooked pearl barley
- 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper, seeded & deribbed
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels (or frozen kernels, thawed)
- 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded, diced
- 1/2 cup tomato, unpeeled, diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
Instructions
1. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in barley.
2. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes or until barley is tender and water is absorbed. Let cool.
3. Combine jalapeno pepper and lime juice, vegetable oil, salt and pepper, and stir with a wire whisk.
4. Combine barley with corn and cucumber, tomato, pepper, and onion in a large bowl; add dressing, tossing to coat.
Peppered Green Olives - Amp up your olives! Impress your guests with this simple appetizer of peppered green olives. The herbs and lemon enhance the flavor of often bland grocery store olives. You don't even have to cook this appetizer. It makes a great summer treat on a warm day.
Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes - A great no-cook summer appetizer treat. This light tuna salad takes these cherry tomatoes to another level. These are a great appetizer for a dinner group or even as a quick summertime lunch with the ladies. Everyone will love this low-fat, low-sodium recipe.
Summertime Bruschetta - Ripe plum tomatoes and fresh herbs really make this bruschetta a summer standout. You won't have to heat up your kitchen making this crowd-pleaser, as the only cooking involved is toasting the baguette. So mix up a bowl of bruschetta topping and sit back and relax with a frozen cocktail because your work is already done.
Orzo and Tomato Salad with Feta and Olives
Frozen Apricot Slush - This is a great frozen drink for a summer cocktail or beach party. Embellish your drink glasses with a sugar rim for a extra sweet touch. Try making a chilled virgin apricot slush for the little ones.
Honey Mint Lemonade - This quick and easy spin on lemonade will have your taste buds soaring. A perfect summer afternoon drink for all ages.
Frozen Pineapple Daiquiri - This is a simple frozen cocktail that comes together in minutes. The fresh fruit and lime juice makes it the perfect drink for summer.
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