Refreshingly Simple

This summer, refresh from the inside out with Top Chef Stephanie Izard. Stephanie Izard is chef-owner of Chicago’s Girl & The Goat and Little Goat Diner, and author of Girl in the Kitchen.

Photo courtesy of OUTSHINE®.

As a busy chef with a demanding schedule, I’m always looking for ways to stay healthy and energized. Having quick, healthy snacks at the ready is key to keeping me fueled throughout the long days and nights at my restaurants.

In summertime, I’m all about light snacks that showcase the bright flavors of in-season produce. I shop my local farmer’s market when I have the time, and I make sure to keep Dreyer’s OUTSHINE® bars on hand too. As any chef will tell you, great food starts with great ingredients. Dreyer’s makes their bars with simple, honest produce like blueberries, mangos, coconut water, and peaches—each picked at their peak to capture their fresh, pure flavor. I love how the bars refresh me from the inside out, and help keep me cool and hydrated in the summer heat. Read on for more of my quick, easy, and healthy summertime snack ideas.

Stephanie’s Favorite Healthy Summertime Snacks

Yogurt Parfaits

For a quick and energizing snack, I layer thick and creamy Greek yogurt with ripe berries or cherries, plus a sprinkling of granola for crunch.

Nut Butters

Blending up nut butters at home is so quick and easy—I like using Marcona almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts. Try them as a dip for fruit or veggies, or spread on wholegrain toast.

Grilled Fruit

Throwing stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, and plums on the grill caramelizes their natural sugars and releases their juices. Add a splash of coconut milk and some mint leaves for a decadent but healthy treat.

Homemade Sodas

I mix up my own refreshing sodas by mixing bubbly water with simple syrup I infuse at home. Have fun experimenting with combinations of herbs and produce like strawberry-basil, or cucumber-lemongrass.

Dreyer’s OUTSHINE® Bars

I like making my own frozen fruit bars at home, but with my busy schedule I often don’t have the time. I keep Dreyer’s OUTSHINE® bars in the freezer so I always have an instant healthy snack I can even take with me when I’m on the go.

via:http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/dreyers-outshine-refreshingly-simple