Stay fit and keep meals light during the hot and lazy days of summer. These sweet treats are tops for refreshment and taste. They’re pretty virtuous, too so enjoy them guilt free. Even better – no oven required
Watermelon Granita
This 5-star recipe is courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine. Its pairs the ultimate taste of summer – watermelon – with the icy coolness you crave during high heat season. Fast to make, only 105 calories per serving and with a healthy dose of vitamin C, this one will be on your regular rotation. Serves 6.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (1 3/4 pounds) cubed seedless watermelon (from a 4-pound melon)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Directions
Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a 9x9x2″ metal baking pan. Freeze mixture for 1 hour. Stir, mashing any frozen parts with the back of a fork. Cover and freeze mixture until firm, about 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape granita vigorously to form icy flakes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover tightly with foil and keep frozen. Give it a quick scrape before serving.
Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad
This winner only tastes like you’re cheating. Stay on your game and enjoy the creamy taste of cheesecake with just a fraction of the calories. This recipe is courtesy of Ashlyn, Belle of the Kitchen. Its good enough for company and only 154 calories; plus, you get calcium, protein, vitamin c and antioxidants.
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes)
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 4 oz. light cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1 Wash fruit and dry REALLY well. Combine in a large bowl and set aside.
2 In a small bowl mix together the yogurt, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Pour into the bowl of fruit and mix carefully.
Chill in the fridge until ready to eat. It tastes great right away, but Ashlyn says she usually likes to let it chill for a couple of hours.
Last Minute Tropical Mango Sorbet
Leave it to Cooking Light to come up with a fresh, fast treat. This creamy delight is perfect for anytime including romantic summer nights on the backyard swing or a family big BBQ
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) package frozen mango chunks (about 2 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 (6-ounce) carton lemon low-fat yogurt (such as Yoplait Lemon Burst)
- 1 teaspoon grated lime rind
Directions
Remove mango and pineapple from freezer; let stand at room temperature 10 minutes. Combine mango, pineapple, yogurt, and rind in a food processor; process until smooth. Serve immediately (for soft-serve texture) or freeze in an airtight container for 1 hour 30 minutes (for firmer texture)
One ingredient banana ice cream
It doesn’t get any easier than this! Peel 4 ripe bananas, cut them in 2- to 3-inch chunks and place them in a freezer bag in the freezer for at least 6 hours. Remove and blend in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately or freeze in an airtight container for at least 2 hours. Scoop and serve.
Grilled Peaches
Here’s one more in the fast and waist-friendly fare category – Grilled Peaches. Slice pick of the season peaches in half, remove the pit and place cut side down on the grill at medium heat. Grill 4 minutes per side. Make this treat extra special with a dollop of bourbon whipped cream. Whip together in a chilled bowl 1 cup of chilled heavy cream, 1tablespoon of bourbon, ½ teaspoon of sugar and ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Long summer days beg for lighter, no fuss meals and desserts. This five hit the spot. Why not try them all?
