Beach Ready Recipes

Escaping to the shore for the summer? Here are some fun and fresh ideas and recipes to keep you cool and satisfied at the beach.

Leave the lettuce behind

Romaine, arugula, and spinach are all main ingredients in traditional salads, but these leafy greens are not the best beach foods. Heat easily wilts lettuce. Its absorbent nature can make your salad wet and soggy instead of crisp and refreshing. Try fruit and pasta salads; they are good substitutes without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Easy Recipe Idea: Combine strawberries, pineapple, peaches and plums. Cut them into bite sized pieces. Lightly dress with store bought raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing. Refrigerate or keep inside cooler until ready to eat.

Amp up traditional sandwiches

We’ve all had the standard ham, cheese and mayo sandwiches. While these have become a lunch-time staple; branch out and try something new and fun. Instead of regular sandwich bread, use thicker, more substantial bread like a French or Italian baguette. The crusty bread will keep all of your fixings on the sandwich and not on your lap. Skip the tomatoes. While they are a tasty addition, tomatoes can easily turn soggy if not eaten right away. Mayo can spoil easily if not refrigerated. For easy sandwiches at the beach try an oil based spread like pesto which can be eaten hot or cold.

Easy Recipe Idea: Sliced turkey, smoked mozzarella, and basil pesto on a French baguette.

Break the mold

Who would think to bring soup to the beach? Gazpacho, a cold soup that originated from Spain, is a different and refreshing way to enjoy lunch at the beach. This soup can be made the night before your trip and stays cool as long as it’s over ice in your cooler. If you have an especially long trip, freeze the soup the night before and it will defrost during the long drive. Gazpacho is convenient because it can be placed into small, individual containers for easy single servings.

Easy Recipe Idea: In a blender combine three diced tomatoes, one green pepper, one small onion, and < cup of vinegar. Pulse and slowly add < cup of olive oil. Refrigerate or keep in a cooler. Serve with left over French bread from the sandwiches.

Antipasti

These traditional Italian appetizers can make great snacks at the beach. They usually include cheese, marinated vegetables and cured meats. Cut and prepare vegetables ahead of time for an easy serving once on the beach. Pack dressings separately in well sealed containers to prevent soft vegetables and spills. Keep meats near the bottom of the cooler to ensure freshness.
Easy Recipe Idea: Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Cut fresh mozzarella into bite sized pieces. For easy, snack sized portions, place one halved tomato and one piece of mozzarella on a toothpick. Serve with balsamic vinegar.

Main Course

You may want a more substantial meal at the beach. In that case pasta dishes can make filling yet easy choices. Choose smaller pastas like orzo and macaroni which cook faster than other pastas. Pesto and simple marinara sauces travel well and taste great hot or cold. You can add depth to the dish by adding versatile foods like grilled chicken or shrimp. Buy frozen shrimp and defrost the night before.

Easy Recipe Idea: Toss orzo pasta with a cold spicy tomato sauce and top with shrimp cocktail.

These easy summer recipes are healthy, satisfying and can withstand any day at the beach. Use your creativity to develop fun, new combinations of food or simply add your own twist to these recipes.