3 Summer Inspired Recipes
As the temperature rises, rather than focusing on restrictive diets, let's embrace the joy of summer eating with these three seasonal recipes. From chicken gyros to blackberry lemonade, these recipes celebrate the essence of summer!
1. Chicken Gyros
Tender, marinated chicken wrapped in warm pita bread and topped with creamy tzatziki sauce, crisp veggies, and tangy feta cheese. Perfect for a leisurely lunch or a casual dinner, these gyros are sure to become a summertime favorite.
Ingredients
2 pounds (1kg) chicken thighs boneless and skinless (Swap with rotisserie chicken to for a quicker meal)
4-6 pita flatbreads
1 red onion thinly sliced
1 cup shredded lettuce or romaine
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ¼ cups tzatziki homemade or store-bought
Instructions
Season chicken thighs to your liking. I like to use salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and coriander. Measure with your heart!
Heat a skillet (or an outdoor grill) over medium high heat, brush with oil and add the chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until the internal temp of the chicken is 165°F. Remove from heat and set aside.
Warm up a pita bread using a microwave (about 10 seconds) or grill
4. To the pita and tzatziki sauce, red onion, shredded lettuce, and tomato. Slice the chicken and add it to the pita. Now it is ready to serve!
2. Chickpea & Pesto Salad
A CLIENT SPOTLIGHT RECIPE
A client of mine shared this delicious recipe with me! It is a 3 ingredient dish you can use as an entree or side to your summer meal.
Ingredients
6- 8 halved cherry tomatoes
1 can of chickpeas
As much pesto as your heart desires
OPTIONAL: Add feta cheese, red onions, cucumbers, or any other vegetable of choice.
Instructions
Place into a bowl and mix thoroughly
For a chilled dish- refrigerate before serving
3. Blackberry Lemonade
Cool off on a hot summer day with a refreshing glass of Blackberry Lemonade! Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or lounging by the pool, this homemade lemonade is the perfect way to stay hydrated and enjoy the flavors of summer.
Ingredients
1, 32 oz jug of store bought lemonade. I love the Simply Lemonade brand!
2 cups fresh blackberries (or any berry of your choice)
Optional garnishes: fresh lemons and mint
Instructions
Muddle berries in a bowl until mashed or at a preferred texture (This will be like a pulp). Strain any seeds as you wish using a fine strainer.
Place berries into a larger pitcher
Pour over store bought or homemade lemonade
Garish with fresh lemon slices and mint
Chill and serve with ice!
This summer, let's shift our focus from starting a new diet to embracing having fun with food. With these three non-diet focused recipes, you can savor the flavors of summer to the fullest.
Cheers!
Em
Contact Us
Emilee Young is an eating disorder dietitian and founder of Embrace Nutrition Counseling. She supports all ages and genders in healing their relationship with food and embracing their natural body size. She specializes in binge eating disorder and works from a Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating framework.
Embrace Nutrition Counseling provides virtual nutrition counseling to residents in Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Including Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond Virginia.
Services offered include support for:
Eating disorders
Disordered Eating
Eating challenges related to anxiety, depression, and trauma
Prenatal and Postnatal Nutrition
