With summer still in full swing, why not add some seasonal flavours to your meals? These light and tasty summer sauce recipes are suited to the both the season and the food! Whilst being light on calories, they are absolutely delicious and pack a tasty punch. Here are our Top 5 picks for low calorie summer sauce recipes:
Arugula Pesto
This peppery pesto bursts with seasonal flavours and is delicious drizzled over grilled fish, steamed artichokes or ripe tomatoes.
Ingredients:
2 cups packed arugula
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1⁄2 cup finely grated pecorino
1⁄2 cup finely grated parmesan
1⁄3 cup pine nuts
1 tbsp. lemon zest
1 clove garlic, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
Process arugula, oil, pecorino, parmesan, nuts, zest, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped; season with salt and pepper.
In the bowl of a food processor, add the arugula, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, lemon and sea salt and pulse for 30 seconds to one minute or until the mixture is mostly fine.
Turn the processor onto blend and slowly drizzle the olive oil into the mixture and process until blended.
Chimichurri Sauce
One of our favourite low calorie summer sauce recipes, this Chimichurri sauce enhances the flavour of steak, chicken and fish, or can even be used as a spread on bread.
Ingredients:
½ cup packed fresh parsley leaves
½ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
4 garlic cloves
½ seeded and chopped jalapeño pepper
2 tablespoons chopped scallion or onion
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup red wine vinegar
¾ cup good olive oil
Salt and pepper
Method:
Pulse parsley, cilantro, garlic, onion and jalapeño in a food processor until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until well combined.
Store in sealed container in fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Tzatziki – a classic Greek sauce
This classic Greek summer sauce, Tzatziki, is made from some of the healthiest ingredients and is really easy to make. It goes great with pita bread, a Greek salad or as part of a meze platter.
Ingredients:
1/2 a large cucumber, unpeeled
1 1/2 cups plain full-fat Greek yogurt
2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon minced fresh dill
Method:
Grate the cucumber and drain through a fine mesh sieve. Leave in the fridge
Combine the yogurt, garlic, oil, vinegar, and salt in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Transfer the grated cucumber and fresh dill to the yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Serve chilled with pita bread for dipping.
Muhammara Sauce
This light Syrian sauce has a beautiful dark red colour, is great on grilled meat or vegetable kebabs and has a great sweet and tangy flavour.
Ingredients:
3 green onions
¾ cup walnuts
1 cup roasted red bell peppers (drained)
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons pomegranate molasses
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 ¼ teaspoons Aleppo pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Method:
Chop the walnuts and green onions
Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth.
Keep Refrigerated. Can last for up to one week if refrigerated.
Peanut Dipping Sauce
One of the most loved low calorie summer sauce recipes is the exotic Peanut Butter dipping sauce, which will excite any palate. An explosion of flavours and textures that pairs perfectly with chicken kebabs.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Method:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and water until smooth.
Whisk in lime juice, soy sauce, and sugar.
Sprinkle peanuts over sauce just before serving.
Serve any of these low calorie summer sauces in our stunning mini serveware bowls!
Which of these low calorie summer sauce recipes are you looking forward to trying out? Share your favourite healthy summer sauce with us!