In Austin, Texas summers are blazingly, suffocatingly hot. 110 degrees makes you lethargic, and heavy meals make you feel worse. Here are some light and quick-prep ideas that’ll make you feel good without sweating by the stove. These stories and recipes come from my friend and culinary explorer Sarah Porten.
Summer Garden Salmon Burgers
“Years ago I worked in high tech and managed a large team. There was no time to cook elaborate meals, but I wanted my kids to eat healthy. Dinner was invariably frozen microwaved wild salmon burgers from Costco, rice and steamed vegetables. Every. Night. The kids hated it. They’ve ‘affectionately’ coined this time ‘The Salmon Burgers Days’. Today, my daughter delights in our homemade salmon patties. We played with all kinds of ingredients and methods and this is the result: the fresh version is way better than Costco frozen!” -Sarah
Ingredients:
- -1 lb fresh wild salmon, bones and skin removed
-1/2 cup of mayo (I like this brand but just look for no sugar/pastured eggs/no vegetable oil) or coconut cream
-1/2 chopped red pepper
-2 chopped scallions
-1/2 cup chopped cilantro
-Dash of cayenne pepper
Method:
- -Pulverize salmon in a blender or food processor
- -Mix in the rest of the ingredients
- -Shape burger and fry till golden on both sides, or till you like the consistency. Avocado is the best vegetarian option for frying. Red palm oil can also be used at high heat. Beef tallow and other meat fat is generally an ideal choice for high heat and adds flavor but may not work as well with fish. Stay far, far away from industrial seed oils like Canola and sunflower.
Serves 4
Spicy Coleslaw
“We love anything made with cabbage, especially when it’s raw, because we love crunch! This coleslaw is all about the dressing. My kids will eat almost anything with this dressing….I mean anything.” -Sarah
Slaw
- -1 head green cabbage
-1 red pepper
Sauce
- -1/3 cup almond butter
-1/2 cup coconut aminos. What are coconut aminos and why are they healthy? (I like Coconut Secret brand and Bragg’s brand)
-1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
-1 tsp toasted sesame oil
-Ground ginger and cayenne to taste
-1 drop lime essential oil (optional). Note that many brands on the market use pesticides and are diluted with cheap ingredients, so don’t get just anything! Also, it must be food grade–not all oils can be ingested. Do Terra and Young Living are well respected companies. I also buy from Rocky Mountain Oils.
Method
- -Chop cabbage and pepper
- – Mix sauce till smooth, then add sauce to other ingredients
- -Add sauce to veggies and toss till well coated
Serves 4
Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- – 1 bag cauliflower rice (Trader Joe’s Organic)
- – 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- – juice of half a large lime
- – 1/2 cup full fat organic coconut milk (Trader Joe carries one, here’s another from Native Forest)
- – Leave the cauliflower rice on the counter to defrost for a couple of hours
- – Heat avocado oil in pan for 2 minutes on high. Lower heat and add the defrosted cauliflower rice.
- – Add lime juice and coconut milk. Simmer at low heat for 20 minutes till liquid dissipates and cauliflower rice is soft.
Want to make your own cauliflower rice? This article shows how to do it, explains the pros and cons, and compares homemade with ready made. This article explains why it’s such great alternative to real rice.
Are you excited about cauliflower rice and want to see how versatile it is? Here are 25 recipes!
Cocoa ‘Cookie Dough’
“I haven’t eaten sugar for almost 5 years. What about honey? Nope. Maple Syrup? Not even. Agave? Never. Really I don’t eat ANY sugar. Why did I decide to cut out all sugar? I was suffering from an overgrowth of Candida. I really didn’t feel good and had trouble with my digestive system. My integrative doctor put me on a real food diet and strongly recommended I ditch the sugar. I found I had more energy, got better sleep and made my dentist happy. But I still have a sweet tooth. Most of the time fruit suffices, but sometimes I crave chocolate. I started eating chocolate that is 100% cacao without any added sugar. It’s very bitter, of course, and quite hard core. After much experimentation I came up with a recipe to appease my sweet tooth. I pair it with cashew butter because its natural sweetness works with a pinch of Stevia and orange essential oil to create a heavenly confection. It hits the sweet spot every time.” -Sarah
- -1 tablespoon cashew butter
- -1 tablespoon cacao powder
- -1 tsp vanilla
- -1 pinch powdered stevia
- -1 drop orange essential oil
- -1-2 tablespoons almond (or other nut) milk (stay lear of added sugar an carageenan)
Method. Mix all ingredients together till smooth and enjoy!
Serves 1–you!
What is your favorite summer dinner? We’d love to hear your thoughts about what works for you!
Sarah Porten, CEO, Well On My Way
Why is Salmon the only fish folks eat? It’s over fished and most likely farmed. My family has been trying more prevalent fish like Mackerel and suggest talking with your local fishmonger about what is fresh and sustainable. Even better, seek out a seafood CSA and support your local farmers.
There are so many fish to eat that gives variety to your palate and your plate. Much better for the Earth too.
Hi Lara,
You are right: mackerel is a great idea and there are many varieties of this saltwater fish. It is nutrient-dense with tons of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and lost of micronutrients plus B12 and selenium. Be careful though- Some kinds are high in mercury and some people have mackerel allergies. Also, local waters are not always monitored for contaminants, so there may not be any fish-advisory information readily available. If there is monitoring, you should be able to find information here:
https://fishadvisoryonline.epa.gov/Contacts.aspx
Always ask—in restaurants and groceries—if the salmon is farmed or wild. If you’re told “sustainably farmed”, don’t buy it.
Happy eating!
-your GFF