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30 Minutes or Less

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime

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overhead image of watermelon salad in a bowl.

Fresh and delicious watermelon salad! This easy summer side dish is finished off with a tangy 3-ingredient lime dressing. Make this watermelon salad with feta, mint, and lime for your next summer party or barbecue!

close-up image of watermelon salad with mint, feta, and lime

What You’ll Need to Make Watermelon Salad

Watermelon – Fresh watermelon is in peak season from May through September, so get your watermelon fix in while you can! Need help with how to cut a watermelon? Follow my step-by-step how to cut a watermelon post here. Or, save some time and buy pre-cut watermelon from the store.

Cucumber – Half an English cucumber adds to the freshness of this delicious summer salad. Dice or slice your cucumber however you’d like for this recipe.

Red Onion – Thinly sliced red onion adds a nice, tangy bite to this sweet and savory salad. However, if you’re not a fan of raw onion, you can totally leave this out.

Feta – Add as much or as little crumbled feta to your salad as you’d like! Feta is deliciously creamy and salty, and tastes incredible in this watermelon salad recipe.

Mint – Fresh mint takes this salad over the top! Not sure mint in a salad will taste good? Just give it a try, trust me.

Lime Juice – The acidity in fresh lime juice brings out the freshness of all ingredients in this dish. A 3-ingredient lime dressing may sound simple, but it does a lot for this salad!

lime dressing being poured over watermelon salad.

Tips and Tricks

  • Feel free to prep this salad ahead of time! Make the salad, then whisk together the dressing, and store them separately. When ready to serve, pour lime dressing over the salad and enjoy.
  • Have fun with this watermelon salad, and customize it however you’d like. Add or remove any ingredients you prefer. I’ll sometimes add a small handful of chopped pistachios to this salad, and it’s delicious!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Dairy-Free/Vegan: Either leave out the feta, or use your favorite vegan feta (I recommend VioLife Vegan Feta) for a vegan watermelon salad!

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime
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Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime

3 from 2 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

3

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

Fresh and delicious watermelon salad! This easy summer side dish is finished off with a tangy 3-ingredient lime dressing. Make this watermelon salad with feta, mint, and lime for your next summer party or barbecue!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups watermelon, cubed

  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced

  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 cup feta, crumbled

  • 1/2 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped

  • For the lime dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.
  • Dress this watermelon salad right before serving.

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30 Minutes or Less

Perfect Aperol Spritz

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aperol spritz with fresh orange slices on the side.

The BEST summertime (or anytime!) cocktail – cool and refreshing Aperol spritz! Bubbly, citrusy, and never too sweet. Just three ingredients, and a white wine glass is all you’ll need to make this delicious drink.

aperol being poured into an aperol spritz.

Before diving into all things Aperol spritz, let me first introduce you to a “spritz Veneziano.” A spritz Veneziano is simply a wine-based cocktail containing prosecco, digestive bitter, and sparkling water. The digestive bitter in this particular spritz Veneziano is Aperol – which is where we get the name Aperol spritz!

What is Aperol?

Aperol is an Italia apéritif liquor. It’s bright orange with a citrus, slightly bitter flavor. It’s one of those things where on its own, it’s not so great, but when stirred into a spritz it’s INCREDIBLE. It offers a hint of orange flavor, without being overly sweet. It’s similar to Campari (if you’ve had that) but much less bitter!

Two aperol spritz in white wine glasses with a bottle of aperol on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make an Aperol Spritz

Aperol – The star of our show! Conflicting recipes will suggest different amounts of Aperol for your spritz. However, I’ve tested this recipe a TON of times, and found that two ounces of Aperol made for the perfect cocktail!

Prosecco – This Italian white sparkling wine is traditional to this Italian cocktail. In my opinion, Prosecco is a must for your spritz. I prefer and recommend La Marca Prosecco – it’s crisp and delicious! Also, for a single-serve spritz, I love their mini Prosecco bottles.

Sparkling Water – The amount of sparkling water is totally up to you. For a lighter, more bubbly cocktail, pour in up to 4 ounces of seltzer water. Or, for a deeper, more flavorful cocktail, finish it off with just one ounce of sparkling water!

two aperol spritz with orange slices on the side.

Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid over-stirring your drink. Intense stirring will result in a loss of carbonation. Therefore, your spritz won’t be nearly as bubbly and refreshing!
  • If you prefer the taste of a different aperitif liquer, feel free to use that instead! Campari, Contratto, or Lillet can all be used in place of the Aperol in this recipe.
  • For an extra cold drink, that won’t get watered down – slice, then freeze an orange before making. Then, use frozen orange slices as ice cubes in your Aperol Spritz. They’ll keep the drink cold, and will only add to its delicious, citrus flavor!

Want to keep the party going? Check out some of my other favorite Summer cocktails by clicking HERE.

Perfect Aperol Spritz
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Perfect Aperol Spritz

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: DrinksCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

drink
Prep time

2

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

2

minutes

    The BEST summertime (or anytime!) cocktail – cool and refreshing Aperol spritz! Bubbly, citrusy, and never too sweet. Just three ingredients, and a white wine glass is all you’ll need to make this delicious drink.

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces Aperol

    • 3 ounces Prosecco

    • splash of sparkling water

    • orange slice, for garnish

    Directions

    • Fill a white wine glass halfway with ice. Pour in Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of seltzer water, then gently stir to combine. Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy!

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    30 Minutes or Less

    Simple Tomato Salad

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    overhead image of tomato salad on a serving platter with olive oil and fresh basil on the side.

    Fresh, easy, and totally delicious tomato salad! Made with a handful of simple ingredients, this summer salad comes together in just 5 minutes. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and red onion finished off with a sweet balsamic glaze – YUM!

    olive oil being poured over tomato salad.

    What You’ll Need to Make Tomato Salad

    Tomatoes – Use any variety of tomato you’d like in this recipe! I used heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges. However, I’ve also made this salad with cherry tomatoes and it was just as incredible.

    Fresh Basil – Tomatoes and fresh basil are the perfect pair! Grab a small handful of fresh basil leaves, and stack them on top of each other. Then, gently roll the leaves (like you would a cigar), and run a knife through the basil creating thin basil “ribbons.” Or, if that’s too much work for you, simply grab a handful of basil and gently tear it, then toss into your salad!

    Red Onion – Or really any kind of onion! A sweet yellow onion would also taste delicious, it’s totally up to you.

    Balsamic – A touch of acidity brings out the fresh flavors in this easy plant-based salad recipe. I LOVE a sweet, yet savory balsamic glaze, but a drizzle of regular balsamic vinegar will also do the trick!

    super close-up image of tomato salad with fresh basil on top.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Toss your tomato salad together, then refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving. This rest time will allow the tomatoes to marinate in all of their delicious flavor. And remember, the longer your salad sits, the more flavorful it’ll be!
    • Have fun with this recipe, and don’t be afraid to make it your own! Add or remove anything you’d like. This salad is super simple, and should remain uncomplicated.
    close-up image of tomato salad on a serving platter.

    Delicious Additions

    Any or all of the following would make delicious additions to your tomato salad!

    • Fresh Cucumber
    • Chickpeas
    • Grilled Chicken
    • Mozzarella Cheese

    This side dish is vegan, plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free!

    Simple Tomato Salad
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    Simple Tomato Salad

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    6

    servings
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    0

    minutes
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    Fresh, easy, and totally delicious tomato salad! Made with a handful of simple ingredients, this summer salad comes together in just 5 minutes. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and red onion finished off with a sweet balsamic glaze – YUM!

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound tomatoes (I recommend cherry, grape, and/or heirloom tomatoes), sliced

    • 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced

    • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or balsamic glaze

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    Directions

    • Arrange the sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, and red onion on a large platter or in a large bowl.
    • Top with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper then cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving. 

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    Desserts

    Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

    By
    overhead image of peach crisp in a pie dish with ice cream on top and milk on the side.

    A delicious peach crisp loaded with fresh fruit, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.

    peach crisp in a pie dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

    What You’ll Need To Make Peach Crisp

    Peaches – Use fresh, not frozen peaches for this easy crisp recipe! Slice each peach in half, remove the pit, then slice them into 1/4-inch pieces. Either leave the skin on or peel them before slicing, it’s up to you!

    Corn Starch – Corn starch, arrowroot starch, or tapioca starch will all work in the filling of this recipe. A tablespoon of either thickening agent will help the filling stick together.

    Rolled Oats – Any type of rolled oats will work! The only oats you should avoid are steel-cut and/or Irish oats. Or, for a paleo version of this recipe, replace the oats with extra almond flour and chopped nuts!

    peach crisp in a bowl with vanilla ice cream on top.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Let the peach crisp cool for 5-10 minutes before serving! This’ll give the filling enough time to set, and prevent those peach juice from running out when served. Also, don’t forget to serve it with a big ole’ scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – it’s simply the BEST!

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

    Make it Paleo: For a paleo fruit crisp, use arrowroot starch instead of corn starch in the filling, and replace the rolled oats with an extra 1/4 cup almond flour plus 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

    Make it Gluten-Free: This recipe is already gluten-free! However, to ensure no traces of gluten in your peach crisp, be sure to use a gluten-free certified corn starch as well as gluten-free certified rolled oats.

    Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)
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    Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

    5 from 1 vote
    Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    8

    servings
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    30

    minutes
    Total time

    35

    minutes

    A delicious fruit crisp loaded with fresh peaches, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.

    Ingredients

    • For the filling:

    • 4-5 peaches, pitted, pitted, cut into 1/4-inch slices

    • 1 tablespoon corn starch

    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    • small pinch cinnamon

    • For the crumb topping:

    • 1/2 cup rolled oats

    • 1/2 cup almond flour

    • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

    • pinch of salt

    • 1/4 cup coconut oil, solid

    • 1/4 cup maple syrup

    Directions

    • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
    • Add all filling ingredients to a bowl and toss to coat peaches, then transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish.
    • Add all crisp ingredient to a bowl and mix together until combined.
    • Sprinkle topping over filling and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

    Recipe Video

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    Desserts

    Gluten-Free S’mores Bars

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    a s'mores bar being pulled apart.

    These s’mores bars are something else! A buttery graham cracker base followed by a lush layer of chocolate is topped off with toasty marshmallows. These s’mores bars will blow you away with how delicious and addictive they are – all while gluten-free!

    gluten-free s'mores bars stacked on top of each other.

    What You Need To Make S’mores Bars

    Oat Flour – You can either purchase oat flour from the store or easily make it yourself at home. To make oat flour, start by adding 1 and 1/2 cups of rolled oats to a blender or food processor. Then, blend the oats for a few seconds or until ground into a powder. Once ground, you now have oat flour to use in this gluten-free recipe!

    Chocolate Chips – Any chocolate chips or even a chopped chocolate bar will work in these s’mores bars. I used the Enjoy Life Mini Chips since they are vegan and nut-free, though you can use any vegan chocolate you’d like. And if you’re not vegan, feel free to use whatever chocolate you have on-hand! (P.S. you should always have chocolate on-hand.)

    Marshmallows – I prefer mini marshmallows for simply how cute and satisfying they look all lined up on top of these s’mores bars. However, the standard size marshmallows will work just fine. The key to perfectly toasty and golden brown marshmallows is sticking them under the broiler for about 1 minute. It’s super important you keep an eye on the bars during this final trip in the oven, as the broiler has a tendency to burn things in literal seconds. Therefore, watch your vegan marshmallow-y treats and pull them out once they’ve achieved your desired level of toasty-ness!

    close-up overhead image of s'mores bars.

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

    Don’t Have Oat Flour? If you don’t have oats and/or oat flour, you can replace it with an equal amount of either brown rice flour or all purpose flour in this recipe.

    Add Dairy: Use regular melted butter in place of the vegan butter in this recipe.

    s'mores bars on a baking sheet with graham crackers on the side.

    Tips For Making S’mores Bars

    • Be sure to leave the bars to cool on the baking sheet for at least 15 minutes after you take them out of the oven! These s’mores bars are surprisingly delicate, so leaving them to cool will ensure they stick together when handled.
    • Use a greased knife to quickly and easily slice the bars. To do this, take a sharp knife and either spray it with spray cooking oil or drizzle it with some coconut oil. Once greased, cut into the bars and wipe down the knife between each slice!
    • I highly recommend storing this vegan and gluten-free dessert in the fridge or freezer during the summer months. Due to the butter and chocolate, they are at risk of melting if left to sit out in too high of a temperate. Therefore, to avoid that risk, it’s best to just keep these babies in the fridge to enjoy them at your leisure!
    S'mores Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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    S’mores Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

    5 from 2 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    12

    bars
    Prep time

    10

    minutes
    Cooking time

    20

    minutes
    Total time

    30

    minutes

    These s’mores bars are something else! A buttery graham cracker base followed by a lush layer of chocolate is topped off with toasty marshmallows. These s’mores bars will blow you away with how delicious and addictive they are – all while being vegan and gluten-free!

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/4 cups oat flour, see Notes

    • 1/4 cup tapioca flour, or corn starch

    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

    • 1/4 cup maple syrup

    • 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted (I used vegan butter)

    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

    • 1 cup chocolate chips

    • 2 cups marshmallows

    Directions

    • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
    • Mix together the oat flour, tapioca flour, and baking powder in a bowl.
    • Add in the maple syrup, melted vegan butter, and vanilla extract, mix everything to combine.
    • Transfer to a lined 9×9 baking sheet, press into an even layer, then bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips, then place back into the oven for 1 minute or until chocolate has melted.
    • Remove from the oven once more, spread the chocolate into an even layer, then top with marshmallows. Place in the oven on broil for 1 minute (watch closely to make sure it doesn’t burn!) or until marshmallows are lightly toasted.
    • Let cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before slicing.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Oat Flour: You can easily make your own oat flour by blending rolled oats in a blender until a powder forms and no large oat chunks remain!

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    More Delicious Vegan and Gluten-Free Desserts

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