Cool Off with Refreshing Recipes

August temperatures can be sweltering, making the idea of warm dishes and time spent in a hot kitchen very unappetizing. Keep the heat outside this month, by trying these light and easy no-bake recipes. All four are made with either yogurt or lactose-free milk, providing the benefit of dairy’s nine essential nutrients while being a great option for lactose intolerant guests.

• Chilled Avocado Soup. The key word in this recipe is chilled. Unlike conventional soups, this recipe is best served cold. It calls for fresh, seasonal ingredients like avocado, cilantro and lemon juice, so it’s bursting with flavor. All you need to prepare it is a blender or food processor and this recipe can be mixed up in a matter of minutes. Before serving, refrigerate for a few hours to ensure the flavors meld and you’ll have a cool and creamy lunch made with minimal effort.
• Spring Herb Chicken Salad. It’s hard to beat chicken salad in summer. This recipe takes it up a notch, by incorporating fresh mint. It also calls for yogurt instead of mayonnaise, so it’s lower in fat and higher in protein than traditional recipes. To save on time and avoid the oven, use a shredded rotisserie chicken purchased from the grocery store.
• Greek Chicken Wrap with Tzatziki Herb Yogurt Sauce. Looking for another way to use your rotisserie chicken? Try this simple and flavorful wrap. The cool, creamy yogurt sauce made with cucumber and dill is delicious and refreshing.
• Frozen Key-Lime and Strawberry Pie. This light and fruity dessert is super simple. Just whip together pudding mix, strawberries, yogurt and limeade; fill a graham cracker crust, let it freeze overnight and enjoy all week!

For more light and refreshing recipe ideas, visit our healthy dairy recipes section.

Laura Marbury, MS, RD, LD