It’s easy to feel like a kid in a candy store walking around the farmers market these days. With so much bright, fresh produce, settling on a recipe isn’t easy—and there’s the added challenge of steamy temperatures that make even the most seasoned summertime chef want to avoid their ovens.
When the temperatures climb, Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious and co-founder of One Potato, turns to recipes like summer succotash pasta salad, heirloom tomato salad, and summer fruit gazpacho, which rely on the airfryer, barbeque, or no heat at all. But those aren’t the only recipes McCord plans to use this summer.
Below, she describes her favorite healthy, family friendly recipes for picnics, road trips, and everything in between.
KCM: What are some of your favorite seasonal foods for keeping your family healthy all summer long?
Catherine McCord: Summer is the ultimate time for seasonal produce packed with vitamins. Some of my favorites are fresh figs, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, corn, tomatoes, salad greens, Swiss chard, eggplant, cucumbers, and summer squash. I also love stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, and apricots.
Summer is filled with holidays, barbecues, and picnics. What dishes do you like to bring to potlucks and other outdoor gatherings?
I try as much as possible to keep the oven off during the summer and to cook using the air fryer or barbeque. A few of my go-to summer dishes that adults and kids love are:
- Summer Succotash Pasta Salad
- Broiled Salmon with Summer Fruit Salad
- Turkey Zucchini Burgers
- Southern Style Pork Tenderloin
- Grilled Chicken, Vegetable, and Avocado Board
- Super Food Salad
- Vegetarian Sheet Pan Nachos
- Halibut Pesto Kabobs
- Air Fryer Vegetables
As you mentioned, when the temperature climbs, the last thing we want to do is stand over the stove to make dinner. What are some of your go-to meals that don’t require heat?
As much as I enjoy using the airfryer and barbeque, sometimes I don’t want to use any heat at all. On those days, I turn to recipes like:
- Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl
- Watermelon Slushie
- American Flag Toast
- Heirloom Tomato Salad
- Summer Fruit Gazpacho
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Kale and Avocado Salad
- Fruit Caprese Kabob
- Red, White and Blue Pops
As exciting as summer road trips are, eating in the car can make a real mess. What on-the-go snacks and travel utensils do you recommend?
We try to keep on-the-go snacks as mess free, satisfying, and nutrient dense as possible. These recipes help us save money and time, and keep everyone in a good mood:
- No Bake Cookie Dough Balls
- Vegetarian Sandwiches on a Stick
- Protein Bars
- Strawberry Muffins
- “Sushi” Sandwiches
- Summer Fruit Salad
- Caprese Wrap
- Banana Dog Bites.
Long, hot vacation days can sometimes be exhausting. What foods should parents turn to so everyone stays energized during the summer?
Some of my favorite summer recipes to keep everyone satisfied on long days are:
