Lava Cake

Fried Ice Cream

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Ingredients:

4 large portobello mushrooms (1 cap per sandwich)
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
Rock or kosher salt and pepper to taste
4 oz. low-fat mozzarella
4 large pieces roasted red pepper (roast yourself, or if you go with the ready-made stuff, pat it dry with a paper towel.)
4 whole wheat pitas or 8 slices of light bread
Greens (arugula, iceberg, whatever you like!)
Low-fat mayonnaise or store-bought pesto, if desired

Instructions:

Remove and discard mushroom stems. Brush top of mushroom caps with a bit of the olive oil. (You really do not need to slather it on.) Season with salt and pepper.

Lightly coat your grill with cooking spray. Grill mushrooms, covered, for approximately four minutes; turn and grill another three, or until tender.

Place flat side of mushroom up on the grill, and top with a thin slice of mozzarella and a nice juicy piece of red pepper. Cover and cook one minute more, until the cheese is melted. At same time, toss your roll, pita or light bread onto the grill until lightly toasted.

Put a layer of greens on the bread (or in the pita) top with a mushroom cap and add a bit of low-fat mayo or prepared pesto sauce.

Serves 4 

Fun Factoid: Mushrooms have been named the "vegetarians' beefsteak," because there is no other vegetable that even comes close to the taste and texture of meat.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Recipes/10-Healthy-Summer-Recipes.aspx?p=7#ixzz20O6fpyzq

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

16 oz. Rigatoni (use whole wheat, if you're so inclined)
12 pitted black olives, sliced
1 16 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, minced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper to taste (it won't need much, if any)

Instructions: 

Cook pasta as directed on package, rinse and drain. Add all remaining ingredients. Mix, toss, and serve with a mixed green salad.

Serves 4-6

A lip-smacking dinner you can throw together literally in minutes. 

Fun Factoid: Summer's heat causes the butterfat in the milk used in Parmesan cheese to rise to the top surface of the wheel, making it better for grating. In the winter, butterfat stays deep inside the wheel. Winter cheeses tend to be more uniform and softer, ideal for serving as a table cheeses. 

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Recipes/10-Healthy-Summer-Recipes.aspx?p=6#ixzz20O5qk9vr

Watermelon Gazpacho

Ingredients:

8 cups cubed seeded watermelon
1 apple, diced
1/2 cup finely chopped Vidalia onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
2 teaspoons fresh basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Instructions:

In a blender, puree watermelon with the apple and 1/4 cup each of the onion and green pepper; pour into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients (including the other 1/4 cup of onion and green pepper). Refrigerate, covered, for at least an hour to blend flavors.

Serves 4-6

This (mildly) spicy soup is delicious and always a mega-hit.

Fun Factoid: Watermelon is approximately 92% water.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Recipes/10-Healthy-Summer-Recipes.aspx?p=2#ixzz20O4qJ6rv