11 Real Food Hot Weather Recipes for Summer

Chocolate Banana Ice Cream from The Nourishing Gourmet

It was 95 degrees in our area yesterday, which was the third day of minimalism cooking around here. Since we have no AC, I'm forced to get really creative with recipes that involve no heat source or ones that I can cook some ingredients for at night and make ahead for the next day. 

While I have a ton of personal favorites that I'll be sharing at Eco-Babyz throughout these couple of months, there are obviously so many wonderful ones that already exist in the blogosphere. I really wanted to share with you these eleven recipes from my favorite food bloggers that are perfect for hot weather! The last one is mine, but the rest are from some fabulous and talented bloggers that I subscribe to. 

Simple Chocolate Banana Ice Cream 

This really easy recipe from The Nourishing Gourmet can be made from 3 ingredients! I don't think you can find anything easier than that! Need to make this pronto, as soon as I freeze some bananas. 

Asian Color Burst Salad

Not your typical salad that is nourishing and great for hot weather over at Wellness Mama. You would need some meat made ahead or from left overs, other than that no need to turn the stove on.

No Bake Chocolate Cookies

Just because it's summer doesn't mean you need to abandon your cravings for baked chocolate cookies! This recipe from Deliciously Organic involves just a little heat to mix the ingredients together, but other than that you just chill them in the fridge, genius. It's also Paleo, gluten free, grain free, and dairy free!

Lemony Chicken Breast with Cucumber Feta Salad

Inspired Taste has a perfect combination for a summer dinner that can be made using a grill. Relatively quick, with some marinating done in advance for the chicken. Just thinking of the cucumber and feta together makes my mouth water! 

Chilled Cucumber Soup with Mint and Yogurt

This actually links to 3 chilled soup recipes at Simple Bites, but this cucumber one really appeals to me. It's refreshing in hot weather and would only take a few minutes to whip up in a blender.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad on Avocado

As you know, we love avocados and this is something I can definitely see us making on a hot, no-cooking day. This recipe from Food Renegade combines eight simple ingredients and there is really no need for directions, we love simple!

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken

It is often overlooked that a slow cooker will not heat up a house as much and it's a great option for summer cooking. You can be out enjoying the weather at the park or beach, and come back to dinner ready. This recipe from The Kitchn is really simple and flavorful! 

Avocado Breakfast Pudding

More avocado love, this is another good one from The Kitchn and it's a perfect breakfast! Avocados are packed with nutrition and good fats, a balanced food not just for kids but for everyone. You can always substitute the milk for coconut or rice milk if you are dairy free. 

Coco-Walnut Creamy Snack Balls 

An easy dessert to make without any baking involved, but you will need a food processor. Butter Believer doesn't have a whole lot of recipes, but I love this blog for all the 'real food' articles and insight. 

No-Bake Grain-free Apricot Almond Bars

Great for a snack or dessert, this recipe from Health, Home, and Happiness requires no heat. It sounds absolutely delicious! You'll need a food processor... I'm not the only real-foodie who doesn't have one, am I? I have this one on my wish list. 

No-Bake Summer Mango Yogurt 'Pie'

Serve as breakfast or dessert, this Greek yogurt 'pie' is really easy to assemble and requires no baking! This is a recipe I've come up with as a contest entry. It's really simple, busy mom material, you just have to put it together and in fifteen to twenty minutes it's ready to dig into!

What's your favorite hot weather recipe? Please link to your blog or other bloggers you love!

Photo used with permission from The Nourishing Gourmet

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