The heat is intense, so get to the farmers market early and prepare a lighter lunch. Avoid long cooking times, deep frying, or breading food. The most practical meals are those that can be made in a single pot or baked.
Cucumber Salad in Tomato Juice
Ingredients:
- 4 cucumbers
- 2 cups (16 fl oz) tomato juice or freshly squeezed tomato juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, black pepper, and chili flakes to taste
- Celery leaves (optional)
Preparation:
Add grated garlic and olive oil to the tomato juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stir well, and chill thoroughly.
Just before serving, cut the cucumbers into cubes or thin rounds and pour the tomato dressing over them. Garnish with celery leaves if desired.
Baked Zucchini with Cheese
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchini
- 3 eggs
- 2/3 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 5 oz (about 1 cup) cheese of your choice (feta, mozzarella, etc.)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Salt, pepper, all-purpose seasoning, grated Parmesan (optional)
Preparation:
Slice the zucchini into ½-inch thick rounds. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of all-purpose seasoning. Grate the garlic and mix it with the dill. Toss everything together and let sit for about 15 minutes so the zucchini releases water. This marinating step really enhances the flavor.
Line a baking dish with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the yogurt and oil. Season with salt and pepper, add the flour, and mix until smooth.
Pour the egg mixture into the prepared baking dish. Layer the drained, marinated zucchini on top and sprinkle with crumbled cheese. If you’d like, add a bit of grated Parmesan on top.
Bake for about 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C), then reduce heat to 250°F (120°C) and bake for another 10 minutes, or until golden and set.
This dish can be served warm or cold—perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.
Baked Meatballs with Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 1.75 lbs (800 g) ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
- 2 cups finely chopped white or yellow onions (about 10.5 oz / 300 g)
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 lb (about 2 cups) diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- 1 lb bell peppers, sliced or chopped
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup tomato juice
- Salt, pepper, and all-purpose seasoning to taste
Preparation:
In a bowl, mix the ground meat with 1 egg, ½ cup (about 3.5 oz / 100 g) chopped onion, and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Combine well and let the mixture rest in the fridge for about 1 hour to firm up.
In a large baking dish, add the oil, remaining chopped onions, diced tomatoes, and chopped peppers. Stir everything together and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite seasoning blend.
Form the meat mixture into small meatballs and arrange them evenly over the vegetables in the dish.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, until the meatballs are browned and the vegetables are tender.
Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped until stiff peaks form
- 4 eggs
- 7 tablespoons (100 g) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
- 3.5 oz (100 g) dark or white chocolate (your choice)
Preparation:
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and set aside.
Melt the butter and chocolate together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (double boiler). Stir until smooth, then remove from heat.
Slowly whisk in the egg yolks one at a time, blending well after each addition. Let the mixture cool slightly.
Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture in batches, being careful not to deflate them.
Finally, gradually fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream until fully combined.
Pour the mixture into a container and place it in the freezer. Stir the mixture a few times during the freezing process to keep it smooth and creamy.
Serve with fresh fruit—raspberries pair especially well with this chocolate ice cream.
