Lite and Healthy Summer Recipes

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

17 Jun 2009 11:34 AM

Whether you are trying to maintain your bikini-ready bod for trips to the pool or you simply want to escape the heat of the kitchen when the temps are hovering near 100, the following healthy dishes really hit the spot on a sweltering hot summer day:

MEDITERRANEAN PITA POCKET

Ingredients:

2/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Juice of 1 fresh lemon

3 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and black pepper

4 cups spring mix lettuce or baby spinach

4 cups hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped

4 Roma tomatoes, halved and thinly sliced

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

English cucumber, thinly sliced

1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives

6 pepperoncini, chopped

4 (5-6 inch) pita rounds, cut in half

Directions:

Combine the feta, oil, water, mayonnaise, lemon juice and oregano in a blender or small food processor and blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Combine the spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chickpeas, mint leaves, olives, and pepperoncini with the feta dressing.

Divide the salad mixture among the 8 pita halves and serve.

SUMMER CRAB SALAD

Ingredients for Dressing:

1 cup Lite mayonnaise

1 cup ketchup

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

2 tablespoons chopped hard-boiled eggs

1 tablespoon dill pickle relish

1 tablespoon horseradish

Directions:

Whisk together and chill. Makes about 1 cup of dressing.

Ingredients for Salad:

Spring mix greens

Chopped Romaine Lettuce

Chopped green onions

Diced celery

Lump crabmeat

Sliced hard boiled eggs

Directions:

Toss mixed greens with lettuce, celery and onions.

Arrange crabmeat on top.

Garnish with eggs.

Serve dressing on the side.

Related Articles:

Healthy Recipes for 2009

Simple Spring and Summer Salads

Spicy Summer Salads

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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