When it comes to cooking, there’s arguably no worse thing than having to spend an entire summertime afternoon locked up in the kitchen with a cranked-up oven. Summer is for enjoying yourself with your friends, drinking a margarita by the pool, and eating quick foods that are both delicious and nutritive. Here we bring you three fantastic recipes that you can make in under 30 minutes — so you can go back to enjoying the sun in the backyard.
Steak Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps are widespread in oriental cuisine — from Korea to Vietnam, it’s common to find an amazing amount of flavors wrapped in our green friend. Not only are they easy to make but they are also a greatly nutritious meal considering the amount of protein and vitamins they provide. Plus, it’s always a hit among children, so don’t miss it if you have kids.
You can use any filling you like, but we recommend trying out mixing thin slices of steak with tomato, carrot, and some pepper. You can also add some chicken breast if you want extra protein — similarly, adding rice is also common in oriental wraps. As you can see, the possibilities are endless, so make sure to get creative with them!
Chicken, Noodle, and Mango Salad
The situation is a classic — you spend your Sunday at the local pool only to arrive at a mix of leftovers in your fridge. Yet, this amazing salad is the perfect solution to all your problems, as it doesn’t require much and allows you to add anything you like. In the end, you’ll be left wondering how you got this far without this recipe.
Besides cutting the chicken and cutting the mango in thin slices, the only cooking that’s required is softening the noodles by putting them in boiling water. Once you get all three main ingredients in a bowl, feel free to add anything you like! Things like honey, lime juice, and sesame seeds are great sidekicks to these components.
Smashed Zucchini With Chickpeas
While summer is all about quick and simple recipes, no one said that there can’t be some complex flavors as well. This clashing fusion of zucchini with nuts and peas is a sure way to delight your guests on a warm evening meal without having to spend the whole afternoon in the kitchen. If you’re still in doubt, take a look at the ingredients involved — it doesn’t get healthier than this.
To make this delicious meal, you’ll have to slice the zucchini in quarters and smash it until it’s craggy. Let it drain in a colander and heat some oil in a skillet — this is where you’ll add the chickpeas and peanuts. Let them cook until crisp and remove from the heat. Finally, mix it all together and add salt and whichever condiments you feel necessary.
While this plate is usually served cold or warm, it’s crucial to keep in mind that both the chickpeas and the peanuts will get soggy if they sit too long with the wet ingredients. So make sure you only mix them together once the nuts and peas have cooled in the skillet.