Cool summer combo for hot days

Hanging out by the pool on hot summer days calls for some cool summer recipes.

Here’s just the ticket:

Spicy Perspective has a great recipe for strawberry smoothies that are easy to make poolside with just a few fresh ingredients and an electric blender. Love from the Oven, meanwhile, provides a summer pasta salad recipe that can be made the night before and served quickly so that you won’t miss any time sunbathing or swimming!

Here’s how to make one version of these summer delights.

Simple strawberry smoothies

Ingredients:

3 cups frozen strawberries
1.5 cups milk, any fat content
1/3 cup strawberry jam

Instructions:

1. Place the frozen strawberries, jam, and milk into the blender.
2. Secure the lid.
3. Puree until smooth.
That’s it! Garnish with fresh fruit if desired!

Summer Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups pasta such as rotini, fusilli, penne or farfalle, uncooked
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
6 oz. chopped cooked chicken or turkey breast (approximately two small chicken breasts)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or 1 large tomato cut into chunks
1 cup chopped or grated carrots
1/2 cup prepared Italian dressing mix – or try sweet Italian from bottle or jar
4 oz. Kraft cheddar cheese cubes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup kraft shredded Italian five cheese blend
Optional: A few fresh herbs such as basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the cooking water for the last 2 min. of the pasta cooking time; drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Toss chicken, tomatoes, carrots, dressing, cheddar cheese and olives in large bowl. Add pasta mixture; mix lightly.
3. Sprinkle with shredded Italian cheese.

If not serving immediately, store in refrigerator. The pasta cools and flavors blend overnight, if you make ahead.