Stay cool!

Stay cool this summer with these simple, easy-to-make recipes: Chillin' Melon Ice Pops, Garden Party Gazpacho, Beet the Heat Salad, and Cherry Almond Pudding. 

Beet Salad

Yield
10 Servings
Preparation time
10 minutes
Passive Time
4 hours
Total time
4 hours, 10 minutes
Ingredients
4 cups fresh cantaloupe chunks
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
5 fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions

In a blender or food processor, puree all ingredients together. Pour into ice pop molds, add sticks, and freeze. Once frozen, remove from molds, running water along the outside of the mold if needed to help them release. Place in an airtight container and store in freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

Note: Honeydew or watermelon can be substituted for the cantaloupe.

Per serving: 65 calories, 1 gram fat (0.5 gram saturated fat), 13 grams total carbohydrates, 33 milligrams sodium, 3 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram fiber, 2 grams protein.

Yield
10 Servings
Preparation time
15 minutes
Ingredients
1 large cucumber (peeled and seeded)
1 green pepper (stemmed and seeded)
1 small yellow onion (quartered)
1 large clove garlic
1 jalapeño pepper (sliced in half and seeded)
  small handful parsley (roughly chopped)
5 ripe tomatoes (quartered)
1 lemons (juiced)
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons good-quality olive oil
  salt and pepper to taste
1⁄4 cup sour cream (optional)
Instructions

For garnish, finely chop some of the ingredients — maybe a bit of parsley, tomato, and/or cucumber. Set garnish aside. With a blender or food processor, puree remaining cucumber along with green pepper, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and parsley. Transfer mixture to a fine mesh strainer over the sink; press down to remove excess liquid. Next, puree tomatoes with vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Transfer tomato puree to a large bowl and stir in the contents of the mesh strainer. Taste and adjust for spice (jalapeño) and flavor (lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper). When serving, garnish with sour cream and/or the finely chopped ingredients. Store in fridge up to 5 days.

Notes

Per serving: 47 calories, 3 grams fat (0 grams saturated fat), 5 grams total carbohydrates, 237 milligrams sodium, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram protein.

Yield
4 Servings
Preparation time
15 minutes
Ingredients
3 large oranges (divided)
8 cups torn green leaf lettuce
15 ounces can whole beets (drained and diced)
3 ribs celery (diced thin)
4 ounces goat cheese (crumbled)
1⁄2 cup crushed pistachios
1⁄3 cup champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
  dash of salt and pepper
Instructions

With a knife, peel and dice 2 of the oranges. On a platter (or individual serving plates), lay down lettuce then top with diced oranges, beets, celery, goat cheese, and crushed pistachios. To make the dressing, zest and juice the remaining orange and whisk together with the vinegar, olive oil, honey, and salt and pepper. Pour dressing over top of salad(s) or serve on the side.

Notes

Per serving: 292 calories, 17 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 28 grams total carbohydrates, 454 milligrams sodium, 13 milligrams cholesterol, 7 grams fiber, 11 grams protein.

Yield
4 Servings
Preparation time
15 minutes
Passive Time
4 hours
Total time
4 hours, 15 minutes
Ingredients
2 large egg yolks
1⁄3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
  pinch salt
2 1⁄4 cups 2% milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sweet cherries (fresh or preserved)
1⁄2 cup blanched almonds
Instructions

Place egg yolks and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl; beat until fluffy. Place cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in a splash of milk until smooth, then add the remaining milk. Cook, stirring continually over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes until bubbly, then lower heat a bit, continuing to cook a few minutes longer until thickened. Remove from heat.

Whisk a few tablespoons of the hot milk mixture into bowl with egg yolks to temper, then slowly whisk in the remaining milk. Return mixture to saucepan, gently boiling and stirring for 2 to 4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat; mix in butter and almond extract. Transfer to an airtight container and chill in fridge for 4 hours. When ready to serve, spoon into bowls and top with cherries and almonds. For an even more decadent dessert, drizzle amaretto liqueur on top.

Notes

Per serving: 357 calories, 20 grams fat (7 grams saturated fat), 37 grams total carbohydrates, 121 milligrams sodium, 119 milligrams cholesterol, 3 grams fiber, 10 grams protein.