Two Quick and Easy Summer Recipes to Help Beat the Heat

When it's 90 degrees and 100% humidity outside, having something cool and refreshing can really help to keep you from melting into a puddle of grease on the lawn.  With that in mind, I created my version of a favorite cocktail, but this one is virgin and full of healthy ingredients.  Behold, the 4-ingredient healthy mojito!

1/4 cup fresh mint

Juice of 1 large lime (or 2-3 small)

2 cups Coconut water

2 tbsp maple syrup/agave/honey (sweetener of choice)

Ice as needed

First, squeeze the lime juice and add into a mason jar or glass of choice.  Add the mint to the lime juice and, using the handle of a wooden spoon, mash and tear the mint into the lime juice to release it's juices and flavor.  Next, pour in the coconut water and sweetener.  Shake or stir to mix everything together.  Then, add as much ice as you'd like.  

This is such a great drink for sitting outside enjoying the sun, or for those times when you'd like to be drinking a spiked cocktail but are responsible for not allowing a toddler to drown in the kiddy pool.  

It's not the beach, but it'll do.

Next up, how about a spicy and creamy yet refreshing salad dressing to add to all of those freshly picked raw veggies you just pulled fon the garden?  That's what I decided to whip up Sunday evening after completing several DIY projects.  I just tossed things together into the Baby Bullet and voila!  A new favorite dressing was born.

Creamy Chipotle Lime Chimichurri 

Juice of 1 large lime (2-3 small)

2 tbsp cashew cream (soak cashews for 2 hours, rinse and drain, then blend with water, salt, and lemon juice.  It tastes cheesy and delicious!  Trust me.)

2-3 tbsp water

1/8 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tap cumin

3-4 tbsp fresh cilantro 

1" piece of dried chipotle pepper (optional if you don't like spicy things)

Blend until creamy and pour over your favorite veggies.  It's tangy and spicy with enough creaminess to help cool itselft.  Plus, the cilantro adds to the cooking effect.  

I think these two would pair together very nicely for a "south of the border" inspired dinner in the patio.  Feel free to add alcohol to your mojito... I won't judge. ;-)