Bored of what we eat - need zingy summer dishes...

[BlingDreaming]

I love lemony flavours and am loving thai(ish) flavours - eg currently my favourite lunch is thai beef salad and DH and I are eating a salmon/soy/lime thai(ish) dish for supper regularly.

I'm feeling a bit bored of everything we normally make on the lighter side - eg chicken breasts or pasta - especially as I'm trying to lose weight so can't do heavy things.

Looking for fresh, zingy flavours that are relatively quick to make and quite light.

Any ideas or good links appreciated!

[Overmydeadbody]

Here's a lovely marinade for chicken:

yoghurt

lots of garlic

lots of paprika

lots of lemon juice

olive oil

mix it all together, you need enough yoghurt to coat all the chicken but quantities are not important really.

Leave your chicken to marinate in it for a few hours or overnight if you can.

It's nice with cubed chicken breast threaded onto skewers and grilled or bbqed, or with chicken peices baked in the oven.

[BonsoirAnna]

Make a lovely soup of fresh peas and fresh broad beans with some olive oil, garlic, chicken stock and basil. Add parmesan.

[Overmydeadbody]

how about Chinese lemon chicken? Really easy to make

[Overmydeadbody]

easy peasy lemon chicken

[OhBling]

OMDB - I saw the yoghurt chicken on the bbq thread and was thinking it would be good to give it a bash for a regular supper!

The link for lemon chicken also looks good, thanks.

[Overmydeadbody]

lol

I'm a fan of it as it's so easy and the marinade tenderises the chicken so it's really moist and juicy

[bundle]

whizz up lemongrass/ginger/garlic/chilli - add to minced meat or fish, thread onto skewers

eat with flatbread

serve with tomato/onion/mango/coriander salad

[OhBling]

I think thinks served with salsa type things are good so thanks bundle, will give that a try. That zingy freshness is what I'm craving.

[janeite]

Qasedillas with a mango salsa - fresh mango (not too ripe), lemon or lime juice, fresh red chilli, red onion, coriander.

Homemade hoummus made extra lemon-y with celery, radishes etc.

[OhBling]

Ooh, i like the Qasedilla idea. Thanks! I have yet to make hoummous that tastes halfway decent so I'll skip that, but thanks anyway!

[dairymoo]

Nigella's keralan fish curry is delish.

[thereistheball]

I'm really enjoying egg-fried tofu at the moment, with a sauce of soy, chilli sauce, fish sauce, finely sliced spring onions, and fresh chopped coriander. Would work really well with stir-fried veg on the side (I normally eat it for breakfast so don't bother).

Janeite's mango salsa is also really delicious with rare tuna steaks.

Ratatouille is always good in summer too. Lots of olive oil but few carbs.

If you don't mind carbs (assuming not from your OP) then pasta shells with chunks of fried courgette, chilli flakes, and either halloumi or tiny grey shrimps (potted shrimps) and mascarpone would be nice. Saw the shrimp / courgette combo on a Pizza Express pizza and it was gorgeous - am trying it on pasta tonight so will let you know.

[janeite]

I am having a baked lemon and thyme risotto tonight, with asparagus and thyme-roasted carrots. Does that sound summery enough?

[thighsmadeofcheddar]

we have lemon, rocket, chilli and parmesan linginue alot. It's one of my faves. Let me know if you like the sound of it.

[janeite]

I like the sound of it! Could you tell me how you do it please?

[hullygully]

bored WITH

[thighsmadeofcheddar]

Get some linguine cooking
Heat about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil gently
Finely chop up a garlic and then grate the zest of two lemons and squeeze the juice out of them
When the oil is nice and hot add the garlic and a teaspoon of chilli flakes, stir and turn off the heat so they gently sizzle
Add the lemon zest and juice to the oil and stir well
Drain the pasta and stir in all oil and juice
Serve with a big handful of rocket and some shaved parmesan on top

Delicious

[janeite]

Sounds lovely - thank you! Will try it on an evening when dd2 is out, as she won't eat rocket.

[notamumyetbutoneday]

smoked salmon risotto with white wine and lemon zest is very summery

[cobysstepmummy]

since reading this post a few weeks ago my new fave is OMDB's chicken marinade and my hubby2be loves it
i use chicken thighs with the bone removed and we usually have it with coleslaw and homemade flatbreads