Summer is the time of year when we loosen up together – and not just in terms of mood. Heavy layers of clothing are discarded in favor of airier fabrics and the need for refreshing, uncomplicated meals replaces the need for warm and heavy comfort food classics. Spending less time in the kitchen is a must to celebrate the start of summer, but this year – after a very long time where we have cooked almost all of our meals at home – it’s imperative.

What doesn’t change with the calendar, however, is the desire for meals that are filling, healthy, and tasty. If you’re looking for a dinner that works on both fronts without wasting all of your time, the green goddess harvest bowl in this week’s Cook With Us video is for you. Packed with fiber and flavor, it’s the definition of nutritious. And as an added perk that goes perfectly with the harvest bowl, stir up their low-sugar lemonade recipe with spikes.

“This summery grain bowl consists of lots of bright, lively vegetables and lots of texture,” says chef Palak Patel in the video, before showing step by step how to prepare it. Just as much attention is paid to the sauce as to the vegetables, which you will notice as you taste. “The sauce of the goddess is a green chutney with coriander, mint, a little garlic and a pile of serrano,” says Patel. “It’ll be the perfect summer bowl.”

Literally every ingredient that the green goddess sauce craves is a powerful source of fiber. The recipe uses lentils, carrots, asparagus, and fresh peas. “Any lentil or grain you have will work in this recipe,” says Patel. For example, if you swap out your lentils for quinoa, it still tastes good and you are still getting plenty of fiber. And by the way, all of the vegetables called for in this recipe are currently in high season, so adding them to the harvest bowl celebrates summer with every bite.

As for that almighty green goddess sauce, it only takes a minute to whip up. Simply put fresh herbs, lemon juice, roasted sunflower seeds, salt and ice water in a blender and mix for 30 seconds on the highest level. “The ice water helps emulsify the dressing and also keeps the taste fresh and lively,” explains Palak. Next, spoon the sauce onto your harvest bowl and your delicious meal is ready to serve.

Also in the episode, Palak shows how to make a low-sugar lemonade with tangled strawberries, vodka (she uses Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions Strawberry & Rose), fresh lime juice, and seltzer water. Not only is the end result beautiful – the strawberries give it a pink hue – but it is the epitome of summer in every sip.

Are you talking about a seasonal all-star pairing, right? Get both of the recipes below and watch the video to see exactly how they’re made. With one bite you will see firsthand how heavenly this green goddess bowl is.

Harvest cup of the green goddess

ingredients
For the grain bowl:
1 cup of lentils, cooked and cooled
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 cup asparagus
1/2 cup fresh peas

For the green goddess sauce:
1/4 cup of mint
1 bunch cup of coriander
1 small clove of garlic
1 small serrano chilli, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp roasted sunflower seeds
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
Kosher salt, to taste
1/4 cup water and ice cubes

1. Boil the lentils or grains. Add them to a large bowl; they serve as the basis for the harvest bowl.

2. Toast the carrots and asparagus at 400 ° F until golden brown.

3. Blanch the fresh peas in salted water, then immerse them in an ice bath. This will keep them fresh and alive and prevent them from boiling over.

4. Add the vegetables to the large bowl with lentils or grains.

5. Make the green goddess sauce by adding all the ingredients to the blender and blending for 30 seconds. Pour the sauce over the lentils and vegetables.

Low-sugar strawberry lemonade

ingredients
1.5 ounces. Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusions Strawberry & Rose Vodka
1.5 ounces. fresh lime juice
1/4 cup crushed strawberries
1 1/2 cup of seltzer water

1. Mix the strawberries in a cocktail shaker.

2. Add vodka, lime juice and seltzer water.

3. Strain into a glass. Enjoy!

Get more recipe ideas on Well + Good’s Cook With Us Facebook group.