I know we all have many favorite summer dishes and treats that we look forward to all year. Whether it’s grilling outside, enjoying a frozen treat in the sweltering heat or making a cold dish that is both light and refreshing, we all have our own summer traditions and favorite dishes. This summer I have a few things I’d like to make and enjoy that are both delicious, easy and will leave you feeling satisfied and without guilt.

Appetizers/Sides:
– Indian-spiced grilled baby squash
– Grilled watermelon
– Cucumber salad
– Nectarine and radish salsa with cumin dusted wheat tortilla chips
– Raw vegetables and avocado yogurt dip
– Moroccan quinoa salad

Main Courses:
– Shrimp Gazpacho
– Grilled chicken kebobs in a tangy marinade with vegetables
– Falafel stuffed eggplant
– Pesto chicken breast over steamed vegetables
– Arugula,tuna and white bean salad
– Chilled avocado soup with seared shrimp
– Grilled fish with mango salsa

Desserts:
– Sliced apples with pumpkin dip (to me pumpkin will always be in season!)
– Pink grapefruit sorbet
– Frozen pineapple upside-down cake
– Strawberries with orange-ricotta cream
– Peach poached in lavender-honey syrup
– Blueberry cheesecake ice cream