Summer appetizers that are easy to prepare and nutritious include fruit platters, raw vegetables with pimento cheese, cucumber soup, chilled bean salad, broccoli salad, and hummus. These dishes use fresh fruits and vegetables and are perfect for hot weather.
When the weather is hot, many people start looking for food options that are easy to prepare and can help bring a touch of freshness to a hot day. Luckily, there are a number of summer entrees that provide plenty of nutrition while still satisfying your appetite. Here are some examples of summer appetizers that anyone can make.
Summer snacks and finger foods tend to go together. They are easily prepared and even easier to consume. Simple plates of cut fruit like kiwis, apples, and orange slices make a great appetizer for lunch or dinner. The fruit platter is also one of the easiest party foods to whip up. For an added twist, make a simple fruit dip with cherry puree and cream cheese.
Along with fruit, raw vegetables can also work well as light appetizers during the summer months. Carrot sticks, broccoli florets, and cherry tomatoes are easy finger foods that will help set the pace for your meal. For something with a little more spice, whip up some cream cheese using diced pimentos, shredded cheese, and some light mayonnaise. Clean and cut sections of celery sticks and fill them with the pimento cheese. For garnish, add a few small pieces of toasted brown bread to the dish.
A cold soup is often one of the best summer appetizers. Even if you’re not good at making soup, you can make a simple cucumber soup. Use plain yogurt, a little white wine, and cucumbers that have been seeded as the main ingredients. Put all three in a food processor and mix them together. The end result will be a thick, chilled soup that’s refreshing and easy on the tummy. Add salt and pepper to taste when serving the soup.
Chilled bean salads are another example of easy and nutritious summer appetizers. Combine cans of dark red kidney beans, black beans and chickpeas in a bowl. Add a diced onion and large sections of green pepper. Toss all the ingredients into the Italian salad dressing and let the salad cool for thirty minutes. This bean salad has great eye appeal as well as being filling and tasty.
For something sweet, nothing beats a simple broccoli salad. Use raw broccoli florets paired with sunflower seeds and tangerine slices. Toss the ingredients in a sauce topped with mayonnaise, granulated sugar, and a dash of lemon juice. Chill before serving.
A last light aperitif ideal for the summer is hummus. A basic hummus recipe calls for garbanzo beans, garlic powder, and lemon juice or olive oil of your choice. Combine the ingredients in a food processor to make a smooth pate that’s ideal for spreading on small sections of your favorite toasted bread. For a well-rounded appetizer, serve the hummus with sliced black olives and a few cherry tomato halves.
The great thing about summer starters is that they can use all the fresh fruits and vegetables available during the summer months. With a little imagination, it’s easy to create fresh, delicious and nutritious appetizers.
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