3 Ways To Capture The Flavors Of Summertime

Summertime is here and that means bright and colorful plates FULL of delicious fruits and veggies! Wondering how you can bring an extra summertime flair to your fruits and veggies in the warmer months? Dips and dressings of course! Luckily, fresh herbs are abundant this time of year. Meaning that there are plenty of opportunities to lean into refreshing summertime flavors.

Toss it!
Fresh herbs make salad dressings scream summertime! If you have a favorite dressing recipe, feel free to swap the dried herbs with their fresh counterpart. Just make sure to double the amount because more fresh herbs are required to match the potency of dried herbs. Need some inspiration? Check out this Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing or Homemade Greek Yogurt Ranch!

Dip it!
You’re going to love the flavor complexity of this super simple recipe. Grab your favorite hummus and a BIG handful of your favorite herbs (about 1 cup of herbs total). Put them together in a food processor or blender and pulse until combined – that’s it! You’ll end up with a dip that’s bright in both flavor and color, making it the perfect companion for any veggie platter. Feeling stuck on which herbs to include? Try basil, dill, parsley, chives, or experiment with your own favorites!

Don’t forget to give your fruit some love, too! Fresh herbs, like mint, pair beautifully with fruit to create a new flavor experience. Experiment with summertime favorites like nectarines, berries, watermelon, peaches, and more!

Tip: Finely chop mint and mix it into plain non-fat Greek yogurt. Add a few teaspoons of vanilla to complete the mixture for a fresh and tasty fruit dip.

Top it!
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to eat your daily 5 servings of fruits and veggies, you have to try veggie nachos! Slice up all your favorite veggies into bite-size pieces and drizzle them with a delicious sauce, like the Cilantro Lime Sauce in this recipe. It’s the perfect summertime snack for kids too! Feeling stuck on what to include on your veggie nachos? Carrot sticks, fresh zucchini slices, and sliced bell peppers are all a great start for a colorful plate!

Step outside of the box to create your own dips and dressings this summer and allow the bold and diverse flavors of the season’s fresh herbs to inspire you. Your taste buds will thank you!