It’s no wonder that so many people look forward to the summer season. But with warm weather, long days, and plenty of outdoor activities comes the unbearable temperature. What can be better than some cooling summer recipes to beat the heat?
While summer heat can be enjoyable, turning the burners on and cooking in the summer is undoubtedly a task. In that case, easy summer recipes that are delicious, light, and nutritious come to the rescue.
Here are a few cooling recipes that require little or minimal cooking. These are prepared with ideal summer ingredients that can keep you deliciously cool while you can enjoy summer.
1. Sweet Punjabi Lassi
Sweet punjabi lassi or yoghurt lassi is a sweetened and chilled beverage. It is among the easiest summer drink recipes. This cooling recipe is usually served after a meal or in the afternoon during hot summer days.
Total cooking time- 10 min
- Plain curd – 2 cups/500 ml
- Sugar- 3 tbsp
- Cardamom powder- ¼ tsp
- Water or milk- ½ cup
- Chopped mixed nuts for garnishing- 1 tbsp
- Take 2 cups curd (plain yoghourt/dahi) in a deep vessel
- Add 3 tablespoons sugar and ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- Whisk it using a beater until it is smooth
- Add water or milk
- Whisk until a nice frothy layer on top, and the sugar dissolves completely
- Pour into two individual serving glasses and garnish with nuts
2. Fruit And Vegetable Chaat
Total cooking time- less than 10 min
- Vegetables (in equal measure)
- Fruits (in equal measure)
- Lemon- 2 nos
- Chat masala/ black salt to taste
- Take a bowl and chop all the vegetables and fruits in it
- Add the chopped vegetables and fruits to the bowl
- Add the chaat masala, black salt, and freshly squeezed lemon/lime juice
- Mix well and serve immediately
3. Palak Raita With Onion And Tomatoes
Palak raita is a healthy Indian side-dish recipe. It is delicious and visually appealing, along with the benefits of vitamins A, C, E, and K, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese.
Total cooking time- 30 min
- Curd- 4 cups
- Tomato- ½ cup, chopped
- Onion- ½ cup, chopped
- Black salt- 1 pinch
- Green chilli- 2 nos
- Spinach- 2 bunch
- Cumin seeds- 2 tsp, roasted
- Soybean refined oil – 2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
- Wash and chop the green chilies and spinach (palak)
- Take a pan and heat it on medium heat; add refined soybean oil. Add the cumin seeds to the heated oil. Then add the spinach and saute it for 5 minutes. Let it cool
- Take a big bowl, beat the yoghourt in it
- Add all the ingredients and the sauteed spinach to the yoghourt and mix well.
- Refrigerate the raita for 5-10 minutes and serve chilled
4. Lemon Rice
A squeeze of lime makes everything better, especially during summer. Lemon rice is a popular South Indian recipe. It is typically a quick and easy rice preparation enhanced with distinct flavours yet prepared with basic ingredients for light.
Related: https://bansaloilandfoods.com/vegetarian-picnic-recipes/
Total cooking time- 35 min
- Basmati rice- 1 cup, cooked
- Soybean refined oil- 2 tbsp
- A pinch of asafoetida
- Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
- Curry leaves- 1/2 cup
- Red chilli – 1 nos
- Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
- Salt to taste
- Lemon juice- 1 tbsp
- Coriander leaves- 2 tbsp
- Peanuts as required
- Urad dal- 1 tsp
- Chana dal- 1 tsp
- Ginger- ½ tsp
- Take a pan and add soybean refined oil to it.
- Add mustard seeds and let them splutter
- Add asafoetida, curry leaves, ginger, red chilli, chana dal, and urad dal, and cook them well
- Add peanuts, turmeric powder, and lastly rice
- Add salt and lemon juice and mix well
5. Curd Rice
This is an easy-to-make cooling summer recipe. It is known as Thayir Saadam in Tamil and Daddojanam in Telugu. It can be eaten as a meal and a side dish.
Total cooking time- 20 min
- White rice- 250 gram, overcooked
- Yoghourt- 250 grams
- Green chillies- 5 grams, chopped
- Coriander leaves- 5 grams, chopped
- Ginger- 5 grams, chopped
- Salt to taste
For the tempering
- Soybean refined oil- 20 ml
- Mustard seeds- 5 gram
- Black gram- 3 gram
- Channa dal- 3 gram
- Dried red chilli- 2 gram
- Curry leaves- 2 gram
- Asafoetida- 3 gram
- Take a bowl and mix yoghurt, coriander leaves, ginger, green chillies, rice, and salt
Prepare to temper:
- Take a pan, heat soybean refined oil in it, and add the mustard seeds
- Add the dals and saute until golden
- Add curry leaves, red chillies, and asafoetida
- Pour the tempering on the rice and serve
Related: https://bansaloilandfoods.com/mouthwatering-cooking-recipes/
The Final Say
These recipes are a perfect way to avoid heat-related problems and stay cool. Whether you’re looking for a healthy summer drink, a delicious salad, or a meal for lunch/dinner, these recipes are sure to hit the spot. So, try these easy summer recipes and enjoy a cool and refreshing summer.