5 8 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • JUNE 6, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com health TIPS FOR Simple, fresh and delicious - that’s summertime eating at its best. Less time in the kitchen means more time to enjoy the bright delicious fl avors of just-picked berries, peaches, greens and other vegetables. “It makes sense to eat lighter in the summer,” says Chef William Tillinghast, culinary academic director at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. “Hot weather slows down the digestion and heavy foods are harder to digest.” Chef Tillinghast got together with Chef Jeffrey Floyd, culinary academic director at The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, to offer these fi ve tips for enjoying summer’s gastronomic delights. Buy local and seasonal - or grow it yourself Summer brings locally grown specialties - berries of all types, melons, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, sweet onions and more. Visit farmers’ markets and ask what’s in season. Consider joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program to explore eating seasonally. And nothing tastes better than tomatoes from your own garden. Process produce as little as possible The fresher the produce, the less preparation needed. “The longer the time between preparation and consumption, the more fl avor is lost,” says Chef Tillinghast. Try cutting up peaches and a honeydew melon, add fresh blueberries and a squeeze of lemon or lime. Serve immediately for an instant refreshing dessert. Cook veggies quickly by stir frying. Cut vegetables small. Cook briefl y with olive oil in a wok or large saute pan over medium-high heat (or put the wok on your grill). Add a little coarse salt and freshly ground pepper - it’s the perfect side dish for a simple roast chicken, grilled steak or swordfi sh. Keep fl avors simple Allow the fl avor of fresh summer produce to shine. Chef Floyd loves this summer salad, adapted from “American Regional Cuisine,” by The Art Institutes system of schools. Cut zucchini into matchstick strips. Combine with wedges of ripe tomato, fi nely sliced fresh basil, thin slices of sweet or green onion. Add a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and serve on a bed of lettuce, spinach or other greens. Add feta or bleu cheese crumbles if you like. Use that grill Grill eggplant, zucchini, onions and peppers. Brush with olive or walnut oil if you like. Put veggies directly on the grill, use a griddle or wrap in a single layer in foil. Grilled peach halves and pineapple rings are also delicious. Soup is for summer, too “Cold soups like gazpacho, vichyssoise, avocado and cucumber, or various fruits, are refreshing,” says Chef Tillinghast. For a delicious cold soup, peel and chop pears and apricots (or hull and cut up strawberries). Add a sprinkling of sugar and perhaps a little cinnamon or cardamom. Mash lightly with a fork and add sour cream or yogurt, half and half or milk - even champagne. Beat the heat with lighter, simpler meals - you’ll feel better and have more time for summertime fun. For more information about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu. Courtesy BPT LIGHTER, BRIGHTER SUMMER EATING
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