These Quick & Easy Recipes Will Keep You Cool & Hydrated This Summer

Summertime comes with both its pros and cons—the heat brings in irritation and uneasiness but, we gotta say that a large part of the pros lie in the foods we eat during the summer. Fruits and vegetables like mangoes, cucumber, watermelon, and various berries flood the market and as a result, our fridges too.

When it gets too hot outside, we automatically gravitate towards more cooling, summer-approved foods and ditch those oil-heavy curries and fried vegetables. The girls in Malini’s Girl Tribe too were looking for recipes to keep them cool in this season and shared their favorite ones too! (You can join it here and check them all out)—but here are a few simple recipes that are ideal for the summer, your tummy and your fridge!

1. Virgin Watermelon Mojito

Recipe Courtesy: Vidhi Doshi | @ramenhairedgirl

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp sugar
• Soda
• 2 slices lime juice
• 8 mint leaves + 4 garnishing
• Ice cubesMethod:
• Blend the watermelon and sugar together till you get a puree.
• Divide the mint leaves and lemon juice between 2 glasses and crush them slightly with the back of your spoon.
• Pour the watermelon puree in the glasses.
• Top them with soda.
• Add the ice and mix well.
• Garnish with a slice of lime and mint leaves and serve cold!

2. (Indian) Greek Salad

Recipe Courtesy: Vidhi Doshi | @ramenhairedgirlIngredients:

• 2 green cucumbers, sliced
• 4 large tomatoes chopped (not finely chopped)
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 3 Amul cheese cubes, cut in tiny pieces (if you’re feeling Greek, use feta cheese!)
• A few lettuce leaves
• 2 bread slices
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Finely chopped garlic
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground pepperMethod:
• Mix the 3 veggies and cheese, add the salt, pepper, thyme and parsley and toss well.
• Heat the olive oil and fry the garlic till golden brown. Toss this in with the veggies as well.
• Brush a little olive oil on the bread slices and bake them or toast them on a pan to crunchy croutons.
• Put the iceberg in cold water till just before serving so it becomes crispy!
• Just before serving, add the croutons and lettuce to the salad, toss well and serve!

Raw Papaya Salad

Recipe Courtesy: Priyank Chouhan | Senior Brand Chef, ShiroIngredients:

• 2 Cups Raw papaya Grated
• 1/2 Cup Carrot julienne
• Cherry tomato, cut into halves
• 6-8 Haricot Beans
• 2 tbsp Crushed Salted Peanuts
• 1/2 tbsp Coriander ChoppedFor the dressing:
• Sweet chilli sauce 4 tbsp
• Tamarind Pulp 1.5 tbsp
• Garlic chopped 1/2 tsp
• Fresh red chilli chopped 1/2 tsp
• Prawns 4 pcs (optional)Method:
• Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
• Allow the dressing to rest for at least an hour.
• Mix the dressing with the grated papaya, carrots, Green Beans and cherry tomatoes.
• Garnish with fresh coriander & crushed peanuts and serve chilled.
• Grill the prawns with garlic butter and have it tossed with the salad (optional)

Summery Fresh Tomato Soup

Recipe Courtesy: Grace Parisi | www.foodandwine.com

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup minced sweet onion, such as Vidalia
• 1 1/2 pounds tomatoes—peeled, seeded and chopped, with juices
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 basil sprig
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 12 thin baguette slices, toasted
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Method:

• In a large saucepan, melt the butter.
• Add the onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, along with the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
• Add the broth and basil and season with salt and pepper.
• Simmer until the tomatoes are broken down, about 15 minutes.
• Discard the basil and puree the soup until smooth.
• Preheat the broiler and arrange the baguette toasts on a baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with the cheese and broil just until melted, about 30 seconds. Serve the soup with the cheese toasts.

So which one of these summer recipes are you gonna try out first? Do let us know in the comments below!

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