Must-Try Summer Dishes

Summer’s heat calls for light, vibrant meals that are quick to prepare and bursting with flavor. These 10 dishes—ranging from cooling salads to protein-packed staples—are perfect for backyard BBQs, weeknight dinners, or impressing guests. Let’s dive in!

1. Garlic Spinach Delight 🌿

Why You’ll Love It: A 5-minute wonder that’s both healthy and addictive.

Steps:

Blanch spinach in salted, oiled water (keeps it vibrant). Shock in ice water.

Sauce: Sauté minced garlic until golden. Mix with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and ½ cup broth.

Thicken with cornstarch slurry. Drizzle over spinach.

Pro Tip: Add toasted sesame seeds for crunch!

2. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls 🥬

Comfort Food, Lightened Up:

Ingredients:

1 head napa cabbage

½ lb ground pork

1 egg, 1 tbsp starch, ginger, scallions

Steps:

Blanch cabbage leaves to soften.

Mix pork with seasonings. Roll into cabbage leaves.

Steam 8 mins. Reduce cooking juices into a glossy glaze with soy and chili.

3. Clams in Garlicky Sauce 🐚

Beach Vibes at Home:

Hack: Purge clams in saltwater + cornmeal for 1 hour.

Steps:

Steam clams in beer until they open. Reserve broth.

Sauté garlic, ginger, chili. Add clam broth + oyster sauce.

Toss clams in sauce. Garnish with cilantro.

Serve with: Crusty bread for dipping.

4. Bitter Melon Steamed Eggs 🥒

Unexpected Harmony:

Steps:

Halve bitter melon, scoop seeds. Fill with whisked eggs.

Steam 10 mins. Slice and drizzle with soy-scallion oil.

Secret: Soak melon in salted water to reduce bitterness.

5. Creamy Tofu & Cabbage Soup 🍲

5-Ingredient Magic:

Ingredients:

1 block silken tofu

½ head cabbage

3 fried eggs (for broth depth)

Steps:

Sear eggs until golden. Add boiling water for milky broth.

Simmer cabbage + tofu 5 mins. Finish with sesame oil.

Pro Tip: Add shrimp for extra protein.

6. Chilled Shrimp & Egg Salad 🥗

Summer Party Star:

Steps:

Halve hard-boiled eggs, replace yolks with mashed avocado.

Toss steamed shrimp, cucumber, and egg whites with lime-chili dressing.

Dressing Hack: Mix 2 tbsp mayo + 1 tsp sriracha + lime zest.

7. Crispy Braised Tofu 🍳

Better Than Takeout:

Steps:

Pan-fry tofu cubes until golden.

Sauté pork mince, garlic, chili bean paste. Add broth + tofu.

Simmer 5 mins. Thicken with starch. Garnish with scallions.

8. Sesame Spinach & Mushrooms 🍄

3-Minute Side Dish:

Steps:

Blanch spinach + enoki mushrooms. Chill.

Toss with soy, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and toasted seeds.

Add-Ins: Shredded chicken for a meal-sized salad.

9. Garlicky Water Spinach Salad 🌱

Viet-Inspired Refreshment:

Steps:

Blanch water spinach (空心菜) in salted water. Shock in ice.

Dress with lime, fish sauce, garlic, chili, and crushed peanuts.

Bonus: Add grilled shrimp for a surf-and-turf twist.

10. Million-Dollar Wood Ear Salad 🍄 THE SHOWSTOPPER

Why It’s Priceless: Crunchy, tangy, and utterly addictive.

Steps:

Soak dried wood ear mushrooms in sugar + flour water (plumps texture).

Blanch 1 minute. Chill.

Toss with red onion, cilantro, and dressing (2 tbsp soy + 1 tbsp black vinegar + chili oil).

Pro Move: Top with crispy fried shallots.

Why These Dishes Rule Summer

Quick & Cool: Most recipes take <30 minutes.

Pantry-Friendly: Staples like soy sauce, garlic, and chili oil do heavy lifting.

Adaptable: Swap proteins (tofu for pork) or adjust spice levels.

Crowd-Pleasing: Balanced flavors for all palates.

Pro Tips:

Batch Prep: Blanch veggies in advance for instant salads.

Make It Spicy: Keep chili crisp on the table for heat lovers.

Serve Chilled: Many dishes taste better cold!

Final Bite: Which dish will you try first?