5 Light Dishes to Enjoy Al Fresco

Few things in life rival the joy that is summertime cuisine—fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood, as well as vibrant seasonal dishes. It's the time of year when food truly comes to life, but the epicurean pleasures of the season can be as fleeting as they are fresh; so embrace them while you can and as often as you can.

What’s the easiest way to do so? Dining al fresco. We recommend getting started right away by making one—or several—of the following dishes and heading straight outdoors to dine.

Sago pearls, pineapple two ways, fresh mint, and a hint of cayenne harmoniously come together in this refreshing, tropical soup. The perfect antidote to hot summer days.

A slightly new take on the classic Andalusian chilled soup. The addition of cantaloupe lends the soup a nice yellow-orange hue; it pairs perfectly with the tomato and cucumber to add a refreshing touch of sweetness, as well as a pleasantly creamy mouthfeel.

The less time you have to spend in the kitchen, the more time you’ll be able to spend basking in the beautiful outdoors. This salad only requires fifteen minutes of your time and a handful of ingredients like baby greens, tomatoes, walnuts, and cherry tomatoes.

You can’t really say enough nice things about couscous. It requires very little preparation time, is adaptable to a wide variety of cuisines, keeps well in the fridge, and is easily transportable. This couscous salad is hearty enough to satiate any hunger, but still light and balanced, thanks to the addition of arugula, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and more.

Fresh salmon is, without a doubt, one of the best food offerings of summer. It’s naturally very flavorful and, therefore, doesn’t require much seasoning. This salad is simple, yet rich with flavor. Make this your go-to weeknight dinner this summer.

Chilled pineapple and persage soup

Cantaloupe gazpacho

Summer salad with blue cheese dressing

Chicken zucchini couscous salad

Seared salmon on baby leaf salad

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