Fresh & Easy Summer Recipes for the Galley or the Garden
These no-fuss summer recipes are perfect for boats or backyard meals—enjoy refreshing salads, chilled soups, and open-faced sandwiches with seasonal flair.
Summer cooking should be effortless, featuring quick and easy recipes, many of which require no cooking at all. Enjoy delicious salads, refreshing chilled soups and healthy sandwiches!
CUCUMBER, WATER-MELON AND FETA SALAD
Prep time: 20 minutes. Chilling time: 2 hours. Makes about 9 cups
½ cup red-wine vinegar
2 tsp. honey
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground pepper
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 English cucumber, peeled and chopped
5 cups cubed seedless watermelon
6 oz feta cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes
¾ cup thinly sliced red onion
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, honey, salt and pepper together; gradually whisk in oil until completely incorporated. In a large bowl, combine cucumber, watermelon, feta, and onion. Gently stir in ½ cup of the vinaigrette. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, gently mix in mint and drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette. Tip: I also like to add marinated black pitted olives.
BLACK BEAN SALAD WITH A TWIST
Prep time: 30 minutes. Chilling time: 2 hours. Makes about 8 cups
¾ cup thinly sliced red onion
1 medium ripe avocado, pitted and roughly chopped
1/3 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp. salt
8 cups mixed salad greens
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed well and drained
In a small bowl, place onion and cover with cold water. Set aside. In a mini food processor, combine avocado, cilantro, lime juice, oil, garlic, and salt. Process scraping down the sides when needed, until smooth and creamy. Just before serving, in a large bowl, combine salad greens, tomatoes, and black beans. Drain the onions and add to the bowl, along with the avocado dressing; toss gently to coat.
OPEN FACED GOAT CHEESE VEGGIE SANDWICH
Prep time: 2 minutes each sandwich
Sourdough Baguette, diagonally sliced
Goat cheese, low in fat
Avocado, sliced or lightly smashed
Freshly sliced tomatoes
Micro greens
Sunflower seeds
Spread goat cheese on sliced sourdough slices of bread. Top with avocado, tomato slices, micro greens and sunflower seeds.Hint: For extra protein serve with Devilled Eggs
Note: You may add any other ingredients that you may enjoy. Also, best to use lean protein in your sandwich, like chicken, turkey, ham, lean roast beef, tuna, hummus, cheese etc. If using prepackaged meats or deli-fresh, be sure to check the sodium content.
DELICIOUS TOMATO JUICE MOCKTAIL
Prep time: 5 minutes. Serves: 2
2 tomatoes e.g Better Boy, quartered
2 cups Sun Gold tomatoes, halved
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper
1 pinch celery salt
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp Tabasco sauce
Garnish: Inner celery stalk and lemon slices
Place all tomatoes in a blender with lemon juice, pepper, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce. Pureé. Strain the liquid. Pour over ice. Garnish with a celery stalk and lemon slice. Serve immediately. Note: Over vodka and ice, very nice!!
Jan Robinson, Health Coach, Charter Yacht Consultant, 2019 CYBA Hall of Fame, Chef Competition Coordinator/Judge, and author of the Ship to Shore Cookbook collection; available on Amazon and/or email [email protected]
Capt. Jan Robinson has written for ALL AT SEA since 2005.
Worth your time?
Thanks — noted.
