Gourmet No-Cook Meals

The joyful season of spring officially begins this month, and with it will come warmer weather and longer days. The cozy time for comfort food is ending, and it’s time to start thinking about lighter meals. (And, just think, with a little planning ahead, you can spend more time outdoors living those longer days to their full potential.) Now is the perfect time to add no-cook meals into your cache of healthy recipes. Here are some of our favorites:

Chilled Avocado Soup

Ah, avocados. They used to be known as the main ingredient in guacamole, but now they are everywhere: on your toast, in your smoothies, even in your cocktails. (Yes, avocado margaritas are a thing… but that’s a story for another blog.)

This recipe from Coastal Living magazine (www.coastalliving.com) is unexpected in two ways: There’s no cooking involved, and, also, no dairy products are used. Here’s what you’ll need to make six servings:

3 avocados, cut into chunks

3 cups of broth (either chicken or vegetable)

3 tablespoons of fresh lemon or lime juice

1/3 cup of cilantro leaves

1 teaspoon of cumin

3/4 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Toss everything into a blender and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, which should take about two hours. Done! Now all you have to do is enjoy. Pair it with a salad, and dinner is served.

Salad with Grapes and Feta

A good friend once made me this gastronomic treat, and I was enamored with its unexpected flavors. Thanks to its savory ingredients (which include avocado: see note above about how they are everywhere!), it’s satisfying enough to be a main course.

Romaine lettuce

Red grapes, cut in halves

Feta cheese, crumbled

Pine nuts

Avocado, sliced

How much to use of each is up to you and your fellow salad eaters. (The desired quantities of cheese and nuts vary greatly from person to person!) Once you’ve plated the salads, top them with your favorite dressing and dig in.

Strawberry Cobb Salad

Strawberry season is short, but bountiful. Here’s a great recipe from Country Living magazine (https://www.countryliving.com) for a delicious and hearty salad that will make a full meal for four:

1 head of Romaine lettuce, torn

2 cups of strawberries, sliced

4 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled

1 avocado, sliced

½ cup of red onion, sliced

For added protein, you can add two chicken breasts, which are easy to buy pre-cooked—or, better yet, use your own leftovers.

This spring, consider keeping the oven off and putting your walking shoes on! We hope these no-cook recipes will help you to make the most of the season.