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Easy Food Tips for Spring and Summer

The key to refreshing and light dishes during the warmer seasons is to drop the mayo and butter and try using simpler and more refreshing seasonings and condiments like oil and vinegar (or lemon juice)!

You’ll see that I don’t really give you any specific measurements. Why? Because these are only tips and suggestions and only YOU know how you like your food. Experiment! You’ll love your culinary concoctions.

Here are some extremely easy ways to cut the fat and heaviness and add some lightness & freshness!

Tuna Fish Salad:

Replace mayonnaise with nonfat (or low-fat) plain yogurt. (Recommend FAGE Total Yogurt). Add diced green peppers, grated onion (if desired), salt & pepper, mustard (as desired), and diced celery. I promise you won’t taste the difference but you’ll feel it instead.





Avocado Salad:

Peel, pit, and slice (1/4 inch) and put on plate. In another bowl, mix soy sauce and a generous dash of toasted sesame oil. Dip and eat! For an extra kick, add some wasabi or Dijon mustard into your dipping sauce.







Cucumber Salad with an Asian Twist:

Peel two cucumbers and cut in half, lengthwise. Remove seeds in center with a spoon. Slice seeded cucumber halves as thinly as possible. Toss in bowl with juice of one lemon and salt (as desired). Cover and let sit in refrigerator for an hour. Strain sliced cucumbers in bowl. Taste and add more salt, if necessary. Add a generous dash of toasted sesame oil, more lemon juice, and toss. Serve! You can also serve this salad alongside some creamy hummus for a lunchable feast.

Quick Garlic Parmesan Balsalmic Vinaigrette:

Finely mince one clove of garlic. In a small bowl, wisk together Balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, salt & pepper, and Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon to 2 will be sufficient). Then, slowly wisk extra virgin olive oil into the vinegar mixture until you see the consistency you like for your dressing. Toss with your favorite greens with croutons and some toasted sliced almonds for some extra texture and flavor.





Hold the Butter Olive Oil Dip:

Instead of using butter with your bread, try this fantastic olive oil dip. Use very good extra virgin olive oil and pour in small dipping bowl. Add to the olive oil 2 fresh sprigs of rosemary (snap in half if it’s too long to fit in your bowl). Add one clove of finely chopped garlic. If you like spicy, add a pinch of crushed dried red pepper flakes. Let sit for at least 1 hour to 2 hours. Before you serve, add salt and freshly ground black pepper. So yummy, you won’t believe it!



Picnic Sandwich Condiments:

Instead of putting mayo and mustard on your sandwiches, try dashing some oil and red vinegar. You’ll love how light and refreshing it is!

If you have more tips for spring and summer eating, send me an e-mail. Cheers!

AiLun Ku, a Taiwan native, graduated from New York University with a major in sociology and minors in Spanish and Law & Society. With valuable experience at several non-profit organizations, she combines her management, research, and technological skills with the wide range of programmatic, administrative, and development duties she shoulders with Lauren in the development and improvement of POISE. She is currently studying to get her Masters in Public Administrations degree.