Editor’s Choice: Our Favorite Cool Summer Recipes

It seems we just got warm and now it’s time to keep our cool! Humans are funny, when the weather gets cool we want warm comfort. Then, when it finally warms up we want it cool again. That applies with food as well. Now that summer is heating up we need some refreshing, cool recipes to help us beat those rising thermometers. Keeping it simple without heating the kitchen is key as is creating a variety of dishes all ages will enjoy. So, here we go as we present a few of our favorites!

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Breakfast Wraps

Start your day with a refreshing breakfast that accommodates a “sit down and enjoy with coffee kind of meal” or a quick on-the-go option. Power-packed with protein, this salmon and cream cheese combo will have you wanting more and will win you over as a believer in breakfast!

Crab Pasta Salad

Seafood and summer obviously go together better than Easter and eggs. This easy recipe is a chilled version of crab, shell-shaped pasta, peppers, and a touch of Old Bay that will whisk you away to the seaside without leaving home!

Avocado Lettuce Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Set the bulky bread aside and opt for this cold crunch of lettuce wrapped around a blend of rotisserie chicken, (to make it easy and your kitchen heat-free) avocado, and summery seasonings that you can’t get enough of!

Watermelon Fries with Coconut Lime Dip

Watermelon just screams summer, or is it the other way around? Either way, the whole family will love this gluten-free, healthy snack with a tropical coconut twist! Serve these easy watermelon fries as a movie snack or as a side dish at your barbeques for a win-win anytime!

Three Ingredient Pineapple Dessert

It’s hard to believe something so simple can taste so good. So whip it up in a flash, refrigerate till cool, then head to the porch swing and enjoy a tropical taste with this quick cool down dessert! All you need is a 20-ounce can of pineapple in juice, a package of vanilla instant pudding, and thawed whipped topping!

Frozen Yogurt Banana Pops

Kids need cool treats to make summer memories spectacular, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be healthy. The best part is, the kids will never know these banana treats come packed with nutrition from the coolest parents ever! Sweet and healthy, all rolled into one…how awesome is that?

Cold Corn Salad, AKA Dip

Mexican street corn on the grill is a favorite, but we’re talking about cool dishes today. That being the case, keep the taste while creating this salad that’s perfect as a side for grilling or as a dip with chips to get your summer party started. No matter how you serve it, corn is willing to accommodate and become an incredibly cool dish!

Old Fashioned Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

It’s hard to avoid overdoing the desserts when it comes to indulging in summer cool-down ideas. Homemade ice cream is a summer staple and has been for decades. So, crank up the freezer and make this unbeatable memory that will continue on as a tradition! Keep it simple with vanilla or spruce it up with mashed, fresh strawberries, peaches, or an all-time family favorite…bananas! 

Strawberry Colada

A special wind-down treat for adults comes to you in this Strawberry Colada. Between working all day or kids at home all day, give your evenings something special that’s just for you. Do we hear a cheer for a frozen concoction made of strawberries, cream of coconut and rum? Yum!

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