What is "Summer Food" exactly? (types, recipes, or exactly what makes it summer-y?)?

I'm doing a "Foodie Fight" at Whole Foods Market where teams will compete to see who makes the best dish on a 20 dollar budget.



My team is thinking of doing a ceviche but a lot of people are weird about raw meat (even though it's not really raw).



Guacamole, salsa, and anything BBQ is ruled out... not gonna make it. What else can we do? OH--- and no alcohol =P.What is "Summer Food" exactly? (types, recipes, or exactly what makes it summer-y?)?
summer foods are generally light, and not over filling. think fruit soup as apposed to bean and ham soup or beef stew.

Lots of salads, and grilled things and you can grill itmes that aren't drenched in BBQ sauce and end up heavy. Fruit ices, fresh veg cold soups. Have fun.

Here is a recipe that my mother made in the middle of the summer when it was 90 in the shade

4 sliced cucumbers,

1 small onion diced

sprinkle generously with salt and put in refridgerator for at least 1 hour.

A liquid will form from the cucumbers. Leave it on and add a generous sprinkle of fresh dill chopped, fresh cracked pepper and enough light cream to make a soup. Stir lightly to blend the cucumber juice with the cream and adjust seasoning. You can add a dash of vinegar if you wish. Chill till served. Serve in pretty bowls and garnish with thin sliced scallions and fresh baked bread slathered with real butter. you have no idea how many times this was lunch on a sticky hot day. Loved it.What is "Summer Food" exactly? (types, recipes, or exactly what makes it summer-y?)?
I would consider anything with a lot of fresh summer fruits and vegetables to be "summery food." Try looking for recipes that use ingredients like squash, tomatoes, corn, peas, berries, or melons. And salads are also good to eat this time of year. Good luck at the competition!
A fruit salad, a gazpacho, with a veggie salad. Or a great organic sandwich, baba ganoush, with pita,. Just make the fruit, and/or veggie salads with organic ingredients. Great luck to you!!!What is "Summer Food" exactly? (types, recipes, or exactly what makes it summer-y?)?
I always think of cold foods for summer, like a cold bean salad, or a pasta salad with tortellini maybe? I think you're right that people may not like the "raw" meat.
summer food is usually lighter than winter with fresh veggies and salads and fruit. winter food is root veggies and stews and heavier and heartier meals. a chicken caesar salad or fruit platter would make a nice summer meal. or gazpacho or any cold soup



http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikI鈥?/a>What is "Summer Food" exactly? (types, recipes, or exactly what makes it summer-y?)?
I'm thumbs down on ceviche, too. Even if it's "cooked" in the vinegar or lemon juice, I don't like it squeaking in my teeth. %26lt;shudder%26gt;



When I think of summer foods, I think of foods that don't heat up the kitchen (much) to prepare. Things that can be grilled, done in a pot or skillet (rather than roasting in a hot oven for an hour and a half), or basically "assembled" cold.



You could do grilled chicken and shrimp on skewers w/ veggies... stretch the shrimp by adding small strips of chicken that will cook as fast as the shrimp. And add a peice of purple onion, red bellpepper, and green zucchini.



A cold orzo or couscous salad would be nice. Or even a warm side dish of either. Both very cheap. Fancy it up by adding a few dry currants or cranberries, toasted pine nuts, and fresh parsley.



And then maybe a watermelon dessert... maybe wedges tossed w/ snipped fresh mint and a balsamic syrup reduction.