Life

12 Summer Recipes To Trick You Into Thinking Warm Weather Has Arrived, Because Sometimes It's Just Fun To Pretend

Ugh, winter. It seems like this awful, terrible, no good season will go on forever. I miss summer — and summer activities, and summer recipes, and summer lazy days not spent huddling under blankets. It seems like right now, the number of people suffering from SAD increases with every fallen snowflake. The snow days that even adults get to celebrate aren't even helping anymore because there has just been too many of them. Too many hours spent shoveling snow. Too many close calls with slips and falls on the ice. Too many mornings trying to manage cute outfits with ugly static cling.

Well, here's a way to make it all go away — at least, temporarily. Crank up the heat in your house, and make these delish summery dishes and drinks. They will remind you of BBQs, beach days, and sunny happiness that's on the way.

Image: Jelly Toast

by Chrissa Hardy

Farro Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Basil

The Kitchn brought all the fresh summer flavors together in this kick-ass salad dish.

Image: The Kitchn

Orange Peach Mimosa Slushie

Nothing says tropical island getaway quite like a sweet blended beverage. Suck it down and drift away.

Image: Climbing Grier Mountain

Roasted Berry S'mores

A new twist on an old summer classic, this berry s’more will make you wonder why you never tried it this way before.

Image: Jelly Toast

Italian Summer Pasta with Orange and Basil

This pasta salad from A Spicy Perspective is just too good to eat for only three months out of the year. It needs to be a year-round dinner staple.

Image: A Spicy Perspective

Blueberry Rum Smash

Blueberries are a super fruit, and anything with brown sugar is super yummy, so you’d probably regret not drinking this.

Image: The Kitchn

Cajun BLT Hot Dogs with Spicy Slaw

Hot dogs, bacon, coleslaw — these three edible items are what summer is all about.

Image: Climbing Grier Mountain

Mango Chia Popsicles

Just a healthy, grownup version of a childhood favorite. NBD.

Image: Jelly Toast

Brooklyn Lemonade

If you were to set up a stand and sell this lemonade, people would be lined up around the block for just one sip.

Image: Crepes of Wrath

Spicy Shrimp Ceviche with Cucumbers and Burnt Peanuts

The perfect party dish that will basically make your tastebuds scream with glee.

Image: A Cozy Kitchen

Watermelon Rum Punch

You can make it virgin or spiked, and make it ahead of time in big batches. It’s the most convenient taste of summer ever.

Image: Jelly Toast

Corn Soup

This is still a dish that’s served warm and makes sense for cold winter days, but the flavor packs a summer-y punch with just the right amount of spice.

Image: Crepes of Wrath

Strawberry Icebox Cake

It’s a no-bake, simple yet flavorful masterpiece. And it’s the dessert we all need in our currently dreary and chilly lives.

Image: The Kitchn

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