by Ami Lee

When I think about Sizzle, I can’t help but think of the typical Arkansas summer. Heat is nearing the triple digits can be unbearable at times. Let’s look on the bright side. Here are my 5 Sizzling Summer Essentials from my Common Sense Kitchen to help you chill out, even if only for a few minutes.

These recipes are also simple enough that you don’t even have to remember the recipes. Stay cool and check out these 5 Sizzling Summer Essentials.

Lemon Mint Infused Water

Infused waters are becoming very popular and are available in a wide variety of flavors. I enjoy doing everything myself. It allows you to control the quality of the ingredients. While I always suggest whole food, organic ingredients, do the best you can.

Here’s what you’ll need for this refreshing water:

• 2 Organic Lemons 
• 5 to 10 Mint Leaves
• Filtered Water
• A Large Pitcher

Are you ready for how easy this is? Add all of these ingredients into a large pitcher (or tea jug as we southern families refer to it as). Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours to overnight. Make sure to share this with a friends and kiddos! It’s a great way to beat the heat (and convince kids that water is great)!

Grilled Shrimp

Summer is also known as grilling season. I can’t think of anything better than listening to music and hanging out around the grill. Unfortunately in Arkansas, the humidity can be a bit relentless. We can’t stop grilling though! Don’t. Don’t stop, but maybe choose something a little quicker than a big ole steak. Shrimp, especially raw shrimp, can be intimidating until you realize it has it’s own, natural timer.

Here’s what you’ll need for the best grilled shrimp:

• Raw Shrimp, Shell On but Deveined
• 1 Stick of Grassfed Butter, Melted or Ghee
• The Juice of One Large Lemon
• A Pinch of Pink Himalayan Salt
• A Pinch of Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
• Skewers

If you buy your shrimp frozen, throw it into a colander and rinse the shrimp under cool water until defrosted. Carefully poke each shrimp onto a skewer. Don’t crowd the skewers. Throw your shrimp on the grill and baste with a brush. When the shrimp turn pink, flip them. Do not over cook. Shrimp take only about 2-3 minutes tops to cook. Add these on the side of a dish or put them on top of a salad with your favorite fixin’s. Easy and delicious. My favorite combination.

Watermelon Juice

Arkansas summers wouldn’t be complete without watermelon in some form or fashion. You can’t drive far without seeing a local melon for sale. But, let’s keep our cool and hit the easy button. Eating watermelon can be messy, but let’s cut the mess in half.

Here’s what you’ll need for this amazing juice:

• Fresh Local Watermelon from your Favorite Farmer 
• A Juicer (You can choose anything from a Breville to a Black and Decker.)

This is the only mess you’ll make. Cut up that watermelon and add the pink part into the juicer. The juicer will remove the fibrous parts of the watermelon leaving the delicious juice. Now, fresh juice does spoil quickly, so make sure to consume within three days. I made this a couple years ago for two of my kiddo’s birthday party and it was a hit!

A Cool Summer Salad

Salads are essential in our house during the summer. Yes, I have three kids that are nearly 6, 5, and 3 years old who eat salads! Salads are perfect for summer because you can still put tons of amazing fresh, and light ingredients while getting a healthy and balanced meal.

Here’s our salad favorites:

•  A Handful of Baby Spinach
• Fresh Arkansas Blueberries
• Slivered Almonds
• Grassfed Ground Beef cooked with Dill
• Kalamata Olives
• Cucumbers
• Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

Salads are light and easy. You don’t even have to have my ingredients. Pull out whatever you have in the fridge. Cook your protein (or leave it out our vegan/vegetarian friends), assemble your salad then enjoy! No need to over heat the house every night.

Juice Popsicles

Our most recent discovery has become my kid’s favorite treat. To cool off after a hard day of play, work, or school, we love to cool off from the sizzling summer heat with juice popsicles. You can find some popsicle trays at the dollar store for next to nothing. The best part is, it’s as simple as finding your favorite organic juice (or homemade) and freezing it. I’m a big advocate for ‘Do it Yourself’ so that you are in control of what is is or isn’t in your treats (such as high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors/flavors). Mom and Dad want a popsicle too? Try those infused waters I mentioned for a more grown-up twist.

Here’s what you need for this sweet, icy treat:

• Organic Juice, Infused Water, or Homemade Juice
• Popsicle Trays

Mix Up, or pour out your favorite juice into the tray. Make sure you don’t overfill the tray. Freeze overnight and enjoy the next afternoon. If you have trouble getting them out of the tray, run the bottom of the tray under some lukewarm water. All that’s left to do is sit back and watch those kids enjoy their treat on the front steps.

I hope you enjoy these five mini recipes for our 5 Summer Sizzling Essentials. Feel free to treat these mini recipes as guidelines. Get creative and have fun. Never forget to let your children get involved with you when they can. Stay cool this summer and enjoy!