Yes yes, it’s sticky, it’s hot and your pits sweat like a crazy bulldog’s drool and you would consider marrying your air conditioner, but I STILL LOVE IT.
The world just seems so bright, fresh food produce makes the rounds, the grocery markets are full of coloured fruits, the pretty dresses come out of the closet and you can eat ice cream (without the guilt!) – what’s not to like?
As we head into sultry and sizzling March, summer will OFFICIALLY hit us straight on our “soon-to-be-tanned” skin! You best be prepared to take max advantage of it while keeping your head in the shade.
Here’s our official food summer prep guide to keep you fresh, energetic and going for the next couple of months!
Drink em’ Fresh Juices!
March - May sees a serious influx of fruits with heavy water content and you should immediately introduce them in large quantities in your diet. Dehydration is a serious illness and since the body needs a lot more water to stay functional in this “hot” time, get your daily fix with fruit juices! Mix and match with all sorts of ingredients and have fun. Veggies with fruits you say – go for it! Make sure to squeeze/blitz them fresh and don’t add any extra sugar. Watermelon, lemon, spinach, beetroot, the list just goes on and on!
Get Sassy With Sorbets!
If you haven’t heard of a sorbet yet, here’s a quick lesson for ya. A sorbet is a frozen dessert made from any fruit juice and water. Remember the “Gola” from Juhu beach in Mumbai? That’s exactly what we’re talking about! Marry the sweet with the savory this season and create some delightful sorbets. Chicken Honey, Bacon Caramel, Wasabi Watermelon – there are just so many levels of versatility here. Get yourself a churner, some ice, a couple of syrup bottles and get stirring!
Zesty Salads, Anyone?
The intense heat of the sun tends to just suck your energy out in this weather and that’s exactly why you need to avoid the fat and stock up on the nutrients - ASAP.
Keep yourself light on the feet by feasting on a variety of salads that you can create with the generous amounts of fresh veggies! Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, grilled chicken, spinach, nuts – drizzle some honey on top, add some salt and pepper to taste and you have a winner. Experiment with the dressings and don’t be afraid if you end up with a foodie disaster or two! Get some cheese in this mix and we have a full plate.
Pop That Fruit!
There’s nothing better than a cold refreshing snack on a hot, smouldering summer day! Beat the heat by simple cutting up some fruits, dipping them in some juice, fill into funky shaped ice trays and just lick em’! Fruit pops are the new trend in the summer space and are just so easy to make. Kids will especially love these courtesy their look and you’ll get them eating fruit a whole lot more too. Peaches, oranges, kiwis, grapes- use absolutely anything and have a “popping” time!
Grill Up Some Barbecue!
When summer arrives, we immediately move our lives outdoors! A perfect time to fire up the barbecue, call up a bunch of friends, grill some tasty juicy meat and have a brunch to remember. Grilled meat is also especially good in the heat as it doesn’t load up your stomach with unwanted calories and gives you a good boost of energy with the protein. For the vegetarians, don’t stay out of the grill party! Fire up them capsicums, cottage cheese, babycorn and cauliflowers and join the foodie goodness!
(A massive EDM junkie and a Jedi Padewan, Radhika believes in taking life by the fork and knife every day. She has been a media woman for the last 10 years with a huge passion for video technology. While working in content management is her day avatar, nothing gets her foodie side going like a good spicy misal pav!)
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