Refreshing Summer Recipes

Enjoy all that summer has to offer with these delicious and clean recipes. They can help keep you on track and are perfect for Father’s Day this weekend or any summer get together.

 

Red Lentil Veggie Burger

 

 

If you’re grilling this weekend, this recipe is perfect. This recipe makes 6 burgers. Lentils are legumes that contain a high amount of nutrients like folate, fiber, iron, protein and many vitamins. To make these burgers you will need:

 

2 cups water

3/4 cup dried red lentils

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1 cup diced onion

1/2 cup finely diced carrot

3 garlic cloves, chopped

2 cups chopped mushrooms

1 teaspoon dried marjoram (spice, optional)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 egg whites

Cooking spray

Burger Toppings

 

1. Start by boiling the water, lentils and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a pot. Reduce to simmer and core for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat a pan with cooking spray and add carrot, onion and garlic. Sautéed for a few minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, mushroom, marjoram and pepper. Sautéed for another few minutes.
3. Add this mixture to a bowl and let sit for 5 minutes, then add the lentils, lemon juice and egg whites. Mix then cover and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Divide the mixture into 6 equal patties. Spray pan or grill or foil with cooking spray and cook patties on each side for 5 minutes.
5. Top your burger with ingredients of your choice – lettuce, arugula, onion, tomato, mustard, etc. Enjoy!

 

Shrimp Scampi

 

 

This is a clean version of a tasty recipe that is perfect for summer. This will make 2-4 servings.

 

You will need:

 

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 medium zucchini, cup into noodles

1 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup vegetable stock

 

1. Start with a warm pan sprayed with cooking spray. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook them for 1 minute, stirring.
2. Add shrimp to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are cooked and pink on all sides. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper then put them in a bowl and set aside.
3. Add zucchini noodles and lemon juice and stock to the pan, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Then add the shrimp back into the pan and combine everything. Plate and enjoy!

 

Seafood Salad on Cucumber

 

 

This is a delicious and easy appetizer that only takes a few ingredients. You can make light salad with any type of seafood – shrimp, crab, lobster or tuna – or you can buy it from your local grocery store, or the Innovation Store!

 

If you make it at home, just add 1 tbsp of light mayonnaise to any protein listed above. You can also add extras like celery, onion or even jalapeño for a little spice.

 

Simply scoop the salad onto slices of cucumber and enjoy!

 

 

Homemade Popsicles

 

 

It wouldn’t be summer without ice cream! Here are some healthy and clean alternatives that you can make at home. All you need is an ice cube tray, small glasses, disposable cups or a popsicle mold and some tooth picks or popsicles sticks. After these are blended and poured, let them freeze for a few hours or overnight. Serving size depends on the size of the popsicle.

 

Pina Colada – Blend 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk, 1/2 cup fresh pineapple and 3 ice cubes.

 

Green Watermelon – Blend 3/4 cup cubed watermelon, 1/4 cup frozen berries, 1 cucumber (sliced) and 1 cup chopped spinach.

 

Skinny Fudge Pop – Blend 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk, 1 1/2 cups vanilla non fat Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, and 2 small bananas.

 

Ginger Peach Tea – Steep 8 black tea bags in 2 cups boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Add 3 pitted and pureed peach to a pan with 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon fresh chopped ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Simmer for a few minutes. Combine tea and peach mixture, then pour into molds. You can even add a couple chances of peach to each one.

 

~ Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness 8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797 469 7th Ave Manhattan, NY 10018