This post was sponsored by Fresh From Florida as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central, however all opinions expressed are my own.
These easy and delicious recipes are perfect for a summer backyard party. Made with fresh ingredients they’re the perfect menu for any summer party.
School is out and summer is in full swing here in Florida with temperatures already in the high 80’s. It’s the perfect time for backyard parties and BBQs and why not a lazy Sunday brunch outdoors!
To get things started I headed to my local supermarket to get Fresh from Florida produce. We started the party in the kitchen with everyone helping out. We had lots of fun creating easy no-cook recipes that focused on fresh ingredients. I also got a store-bought cake and decorated it with Fresh from Florida blueberries and some mint leaves.
No Grilling Required – Easy Summer Recipes
I love hosting get-togethers with friends and family but sometimes cooking over the BBQ when the day is hot is just something I’m not up to. That is why I came up with a few no-cook recipes that are delicious, easy to make and refreshing.
One of my favorite things about living in Florida is that I get to enjoy eating produce that is locally grown by Florida farmers year-round. I’m super excited about all the Fresh From Florida produce that is in season. For these recipes, I focused on using Fresh from Florida watermelon, sweet corn, blueberries and mangos.
Local fruits and veggies not only taste better; they are also better for you, better for the environment and better for your community. When fruits and vegetables are picked and eaten at their peak of freshness they retain more nutrients. Local strawberries ripen naturally instead of being ripened artificially. This means that they retain more of their nutrients and they also taste a lot better. That is why I always look for the Fresh From Florida seal when buying produce. For more great recipes made with fresh produce be sure to check the Fresh From Florida website hereFresh From Florida website here.
Watermelon limeade
Ingredients
- 6 cups of Fresh from Florida watermelon, diced and seeds removed
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup lime juice
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- ice
- watermelon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Combine half of the watermelon and half of the lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large container and repeat with the other half of the lime and watermelon.
- In a large pitcher whisk the water and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Add lime and watermelon and mix together.
- Place watermelon wedges on glasses and add ice. Pour watermelon lemonade slowly over the ice.
Watermelon and yogurt pizzas
Ingredients
- 3 thick slices of Fresh from Florida watermelon
- 1 cup of vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup Fresh from Florida blueberries
- 1/2 cup diced Fresh from Florida mango
- any other fresh fruit you have on hand, I used pomegranate
- mint leaves
Instructions
- Spread the yogurt over the chilled watermelon slices.
- Add fruits and garnish with mint leaves.
- Cut into wedges and serve immediately.
Mexican corn avocado toast
Ingredients
- 2 Hass avocados
- Juice of one lime
- 2 Fresh from Florida sweet corn husks, cooked
- 1 Fresh from Florida tomato, diced
- 10 slices of Frech bread
- 1/4 cup Mexican crema
- Queso fresco
- fresh cilantro
- chipotle chili powder
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Combine the avocado and lime juice. Mash the avocado until it has the desired consistency. I like mine chunky. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toast the bread slices and add the mashed avocado and add lots of sweet corn and diced tomato.
- Drizzle with Mexican crema. Top with Queso fresco and fresh cilantro and add a dash or two of chipotle chili powder.
All of the recipes were a total hit. What I love the most is that because everything was made with fresh produce all of the recipes were not only delicious but also refreshing and kept everyone cool and hydrated in the hot weather.
Be sure to check out the Fresh From Florida website for more great recipes.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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Lots of delicious summer food. I love how you dressed up the watermelon.
I’ve eaten a whole lot of watermelon in my life and never thought to make fruit pizza. Brilliant! I’ve got to try this with the watermelon I’ve got sitting on the floor at my feet.
What some great sounding makes for a summer party – I love how simple and easy and versatile watermelon is as an ingredient!
Watermelon and sweet corn are the two best things about summer. I am hoping that my garden provides me plenty of both this year!
Unfortunately, I don’t have a backyard, so I can’t throw such a party. However, I just love these ideas, as they are perfect for summer! I may use it while hosting my friends. 🙂
I love summertime…fresh fruits and vegetables. I especially like your recipe for watermelon limeade. Sounds delicious!
I absolutely enjoy watermelon. I am open to trying that fruit pizza but I am not sure it is something that my children would enjoy. In fact, my son would probably come up with his own version.
OMG that watermelon pizza looks amazing! I’m definitely going to try making that this weekend.
What a fun and colorful spread! My kids love watermelon! We will have to try making a limeaid out of it.
I’m definitely going to have to make the watermelon and yogurt pizzas! What a great little snack for a hot day!
This watermelon limeade and the watermelon pizza dish look delicious! I’d love to give the drink a try for our summer gatherings.
Watermelon Pizza!? Sounds very interesting, would normally doubt , but, the way you presented it makes it look very appealing.
I love all of these recipes. Fresh produce is always the best. I think I will try the watermelon pizza for the next potluck I attend this summer.
This is such a cool idea! I love the idea of watermelon pizza. I usually create cocktails and desserts with pineapple for the summer. Even the smell of pineapple remembers me of the good old summer days haha Thanks for sharing!
Candace Hampton
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
My kids got a peek at the watermelon pizza and thought it looked really good! I just may have to give a try, love how simple it is!