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Denise Austin
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Easy Summer Dinners For Two

Denise Austin
by Denise Austin | 
 | 
Nutrition
Warm weather is here to stay! And dining al fresco is one of my favorite things to do in summer! If you are looking for some delicious summer recipes for two people, try the suggestions below. You can easily double or triple the amounts if you have a larger family or enjoy leftovers, and all these recipes include summer produce that is in season now!


My tips when it comes to summer meals are:

Focus on seasonal foods. Summer is the perfect time to include lots of fresh veggies and fruits, as so many are available. Check out my fresh summer foods list to find out my favorites - and don't miss the Bold Beet and Lentil Salad recipe, one of my favorite summer meals!

Eat light. Heat can bring down our energy levels, so I like to eat lighter in the summer. This includes plenty of salads, fruit bowls and cooler dishes. One of my favorites is my Seafood Spinach Salad - give it a try.

Add foods that are hydrating. Staying hydrated is so important in the summer months, so in addition to drinking plenty of water, add in foods that are high in water content. These include cucumber, cantaloupe, watermelon, oranges, pineapple and bell peppers. All are wonderful to snack on, too.

Now for a delicious summer recipe for two - try my Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Sesame Green Beans. Perfect for lunch or dinner, it is a simple, easy preparation that is big on flavor, offers up a good amount of protein, and takes advantage of in-season green beans. Enjoy!


Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Sesame Green Beans

Time: 10 minutes / Makes: 2 servings 

PER SERVING: 420 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 43g protein, 39g carbohydrates,

11g fiber, 6g sugar

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. cooked skinless boneless chicken breast, finely diced
  • 1 (8-oz.) can water chestnuts, drained
  • 1 (8-oz.) can bamboo shoots, drained 
  • 1⁄2 cup thinly sliced scallions 2 gloves garlic, minced
  • 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 1⁄2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp. lower-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tsp. chili paste (such as sriracha) 8 large lettuce leaves, separated, washed and patted dry
  • 3/4 pound (about 3 cups) green beans, trimmed
  • 2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cooked chicken, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, scallions and garlic and heat for 2 minutes on medium heat until warmed through.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce and chili paste to make the dressing.
  3. Add 3 Tbsp. of the dressing to the chicken mixture (reserve the rest for the green beans) and stir well. Place 4 lettuce leaves each on a plate and divide the chicken mixture evenly among the lettuce leaves, then top with the freshly chopped cilantro.
  4. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until tender-crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer the beans to a colander and rinse under cold water.
  5. Divide the green beans evenly between the 2 plates. Top each portion of green beans with a drizzle of the remaining dressing and 1 tsp. sesame seeds.


Enjoy!!

Let's live FIT, HAPPY and HEALTHY - together!

Denise