Hey folks!
As of today, I have officially finished my first semester of physics. That was a lot of material in five weeks, and I’m so relieved to be done. As part of my celebration, I have a special post for you today: a compilation of five scrumptious, high raw and vegan recipes for summer entertaining. This is presented as part of Blogher’s summer entertaining series, which I highly recommend you check out! I’m so delighted to be a part of it, and to present you with raw appetizers that are simple, accessible, and sure to please. I hope these liven up your next barbeque or party!
Of all the many joys of summer monthslonger afternoons, weekends spent with one’s toes in the sand, farmers’ markets bursting with ripe produceoutdoor entertaining is one of the sweetest. What’s better than the chance to celebrate balmy weather and one’s loved ones at once? Summer is the season in which friends most love to share fresh food.
You may associate al fresco dining with grillingand all those burgers and steaksbut summertime is also a season when fresh, local produce shines. From juicy berries to tender, delicate greens, there’s no time like the present to explore dishes that are made entirely from vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds.
When I tell people I love to prepare raw food dishes, the typical response is bewilderment and, “I could never do that!” While taking a full-time leap into vegan and raw food may not be for you right now, I promise you can, in fact, make delicious and inspiring raw and vegan foodwithout stress or hassle, and without investing in a ton of appliances. Raw food may sound exotic, but the truth is plenty of the dishes we already know and loveespecially in the summerare raw already! Gazpacho. Guacamole. Salads. Fresh fruits and smoothies. These foods are completely raw, yet we never think to give them a special classification.
With that in mind, let me share five of my favorite recipes for summer entertaining. These will not only delight your guests’ palates, but they’ll leave you, your friends, and your family feeling healthy and refreshed! Best of all, you’ll find that they’re as easy as chopping, blending, and mixingperfect for steamy nights when you don’t want to turn on the oven!
When I first became vegan, I worried that I’d miss good, old-fashioned tuna salad sandwiches. Little did I know there’s a quick, easy, and absolutely delicious raw, vegan version that’s every bit as satisfying. Enjoy this in lettuce cups or on cucumber rounds!
Serves 12
1 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, soaked at least 2 hours in water and drained
2 pickles, chopped
2 large stalks celery, chopped finely
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 tbsp pickle juice
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsps dulse flakes/granules (available in any health food store, but totally optional if you can’t find them)
1/2 tsp sea salt
12 butter lettuce cups
Gazpacho may be the quintessential summer appetizer. In this recipe, yellow tomatoes and a delicate avocado garnish add creativity and flair. When soup is this simple, what’s not to love?
Serves 15-20 in shooter size
2 Large (or 3 medium) yellow tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 medium celery stalk, roughly chopped
1 small cucumber, roughly chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
3 tbsp lime juice + extra
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
Black pepper to taste
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 large avocado, cubed
I’ll admit it: I’m crazy about this recipe. For ages, I associated guacamole only with red onion and lime. Little did I know that avocado (which is technically a fruit) pairs beautifully with other fruits! You’ll be delighted with this creative spin on an old favorite, and your guests will, too.
Serves 6
3 large, ripe Haas avocados
2-3 tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup basil, chopped
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup pineapple, chopped
1/2 cup strawberries, chopped
1/3 cup blueberries
We typically think of “succotash” as a warm, hearty fall dish. There’s no denying the appeal and beauty of traditional succotash, but I promise you this innovative, delicious raw interpretation will quickly become a summertime favorite!
Serves 6 as an appetizer
2 large ears yellow corn, shucked and kernels removed
1 cup green peas, lightly steamed
1 medium sized jicama, peeled and chopped
2 Jersey or heirloom tomatoes, diced
2 green onions, sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh dill
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Mix all ingredients together. Allow to marinate a bit before serving. You can allow guests to eat this like a salad, or you can serve it in lettuce cups or romaine leaves!
The first time I made these easy raw “sushi,” I was astonished at how tasty and satisfying they were. If you’ve never made a nut “cheese” before, this recipe is a wonderful place to start. Consider substituting the raw cheese for hummus, mayonnaise, or other traditional condiments. It’s remarkably tasty, and it goes beautifully with grilled eggplant in this outstanding appetizer.
Serves 6
4 large collard leaves, washed and dried and sliced in half, spine removed
1 medium eggplant, sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds
Coconut oil
Salt and pepper
Cashew Cheese with Sundried Tomatoes and Basil
1 cup cashews, soaked for two hours or more
Juice of one lemon
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp white miso (optional)
4 sundried tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup basil
Summer is the time to explore and appreciate the beauty of uncooked cuisine. Enjoy these recipes, and enjoy your special evenings!
This post is part of the BlogHer Summer Entertaining series, which includes 100 percent editorial content presented by a participating sponsor. Our advertisers do not produce editorial content. This post is made possible by Home Depot and BlogHer.
Are there traditional summer recipes that you make that are, when you stop to think about them, actually raw and vegan? Share your ideas in the comments below.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Visit my privacy policy to learn more.
Leave a Comment
Yummmy Gena! I love all these ideas. Think I;ll be trying the eggplant and cheese rollups. Eggplant is one of my faves!
Mmm, I love sunflower tuna – and butter lettuce is absolutely heavenly, and one of those things that I need to splurge on more frequently. I’ve never really thought about guacamole-izing other fruits before, which means I should probably do it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this inspiration!
Woooo congrats on being done with physics! You deserve a medal, a truckload of that vitamix ice cream you make, and a million other things 🙂 We’ll have to do coffee soon to celebrate!
I’m a huge fan of that succotash recipe. I should whip up some of that for lunch this week!
What a lovely list of recipes! I love them all! I’m definitely going to try the sushi first. Love nut cheese and need to learn to love eggplant. Maybe this is just the recipe! 🙂
CONGRATS on being done with physics, Gena! You’re a rock star. Always and forever. Mmmm mock tuna salad is a raw staple, for sure. I’ve been a fan of using cabbage for the “cups” lately. 🙂
mmm love the “tuna” salad! looks delicious!
The fruity guacamole sounds amazing! I would have never thought to put avocado and fruit together but it sounds like an awesome combination!
I never thought of making a fruity guacamole! Seeing as pregnant me cannot tolerate garlic or onions or spices or…flavor, having a sweet, avocado-y option makes me so happy!
I too am intrigued by fruity guacamole- MUST MAKE NOW.
That guacamole looks and sounds unreal!
That will be on the menu very soon, but because its not summer here I wont be able to use pineapple so maybe just pink lady apples 🙂
Mmm these are great ideas for easy raw dinners! Definitely going to be testing tem out. I especially want to try the fruity guacomole. It’s a favorite in our household and would be nice to have a new way to enjoy it.
Aren’t we lucky to get so many recipes in one post?!
Beautiful, I especially love the mock tuna (any excuse to get more pickles in my diet..).
Congrats on finishing your first semester of physics, Gena!
I never tried a fruity guac before but this now on my list of new things to try this summer. It all looks great.
Oh wow! Everything looks absolutely stunning, but I am totally drooling over the summer guacamole! I have a ton of avocados that I need to use up before they go bad… I know what I’m making this hot summer weekend! 🙂
That Collard “Sushi” and everything looks like great summer options. Congrats on finishing physics!! Woot!