Summer is the perfect time for light, refreshing, and easy-to-make dinners. With longer days and warmer weather, the last thing you want is to spend hours in a hot kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a quiet evening at home, these quick and delicious recipes will keep you cool and satisfied. And to make things even easier, we’ll be using a Blendtec to whip up these tasty dishes. Here are some easy summer dinner recipe ideas to enjoy during the sunny season.
Refreshing Summer Drinks
Frozen Margaritas
Kick off your dinner party with refreshing frozen margaritas, a crowd-pleaser that can be easily made in your Blendtec.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups ice
- 1/2 cup tequila
- 1/4 cup triple sec
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- Lime wedges and salt for garnish
Instructions:
- Rub a lime wedge around the rims of your glasses and dip them in salt.
- Add ice, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup to the Margarita Jar.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with lime wedges.
Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/2 cup honey or agave syrup
- Ice cubes
Preparation Steps:
- Add the strawberries, lemon juice, and honey to your Blendtec blender.
- Blend on high until smooth.
- Add cold water and blend again briefly to mix.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices or fresh strawberries.
Appetizers
Watermelon Gazpacho
Watermelon gazpacho is a refreshing and light starter, perfect for a hot summer evening. With your Blendtec, you can achieve a smooth and creamy consistency in no time.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
- 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions:
- Add the watermelon, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion to your Blendtec.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add the red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper, then blend again until well combined.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve cold, garnished with fresh mint.
Hummus Trio
Impress your guests with a trio of hummus flavors: classic, roasted red pepper, and avocado.
Ingredients for Classic Hummus:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
Ingredients for Roasted Red Pepper Hummus:
- Use the classic hummus base
- 1 roasted red pepper
Ingredients for Avocado Hummus:
- Use the classic hummus base
- 1 ripe avocado
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients for the classic hummus to your Blendtec and blend until smooth.
- Divide the hummus into three portions.
- For the roasted red pepper hummus, blend one portion with the roasted red pepper until smooth.
- For the avocado hummus, blend one portion with the avocado until smooth.
- Serve with pita chips, veggie sticks, or crusty bread.
Main Courses
Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
Grilled chicken topped with a vibrant mango salsa is a delicious and healthy main course that's easy to prepare.
Ingredients for Mango Salsa:
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
Ingredients for Grilled Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine all salsa ingredients in your Blendtec and pulse until desired consistency.
- Season the chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the chicken over medium-high heat until fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes per side.
- Top the grilled chicken with mango salsa and serve with a side of grilled vegetables.
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
Light, healthy, and bursting with flavor, zucchini noodles with pesto are an excellent choice for a summer main dish or side. The fresh basil pesto is rich and aromatic, perfectly coating the spiralized zucchini noodles. This dish is not only delicious but also a great low-carb alternative to traditional pasta.
Ingredients:
- 4 zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
Pesto Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Meat Option:
- 1 lb. chicken breast or shrimp
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Blend basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a Blendtec until smooth.
- Toss zucchini noodles with pesto until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately.
Sides
Blended Summer Salad
A colorful and vibrant salad is essential for any summer dinner party. This blended summer salad combines fresh greens with a variety of vegetables and a tangy homemade dressing. The blend of flavors and textures makes this salad a delightful complement to your main dishes.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Blend olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a Blendtec until emulsified.
- Toss mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and feta cheese with dressing just before serving.
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, fluffy, and full of flavor, these garlic mashed potatoes are a comforting and satisfying side dish. Made using a Blendtec, this recipe ensures a smooth and creamy texture that will complement any main course.
Ingredients:
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil potatoes and garlic in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Drain and transfer to a Blendtec blender.
- Add heavy cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Blend on a low setting until smooth and creamy, being careful not to over-blend.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh chives if desired.
- Serve warm.
Dessert
Berry Sorbet
A light and refreshing berry sorbet is the perfect way to end your summer dinner party. Your Blendtec can whip up this frozen treat in minutes.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Combine the berries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in your Blendtec.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze for about 2 hours.
- Scrape the frozen mixture with a fork to create a fluffy texture before serving.
Ready to elevate your culinary skills and host unforgettable dinner parties? Take the next step by investing in a Blendtec blender. Visit our website to explore our range of high-quality blenders designed to make meal preparation easier and more enjoyable.
