Easy Summer Recipes

The Power of Garlic: Health Benefits & Fresh Summer Recipes You’ll Love

Pick Up Garlic Today At JC Food Mart, Make These Recipes

Garlic has been loved for centuries—not just for its strong, tasty flavor, but also for how good it is for your health. Whether you’re a confident cook or just starting out, adding more garlic to your summer meals is an easy and tasty way to feel better and make your food more flavorful.

Why Cook with Garlic?

Garlic is more than a kitchen staple — it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Healthy benefits of garlic, experts say, may help your immune system, heart, and help fight chronic diseases.

With so many health perks, garlic deserves to shine — especially in summer dishes where its bold flavor can elevate fresh produce. Below are some easy, flavorful summer recipes that let garlic work its magic.

Fresh & Flavorful: Garlic-Inspired Summer Recipes

Zesty Garlic-Lemon Vinaigrette

Perfect for leafy greens, grilled vegetables, or even pasta salads.

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl or shake in a jar. Let it sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors combine. Drizzle over your favorite salad or grain bowl.

Creamy Garlic-Yogurt Dressing

A light and tangy alternative to heavy dressings — great on cucumber or tomato salads.

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 small garlic clove, finely grated

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice

1 tsp chopped fresh dill (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste and chill before serving.

Garlic-Roasted Tomatoes

Use as a topping for bruschetta, pasta, or grain bowls.

2 cups diced fresh, tomatoes

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss tomatoes with garlic, oil, and seasonings. Roast for 15–20 minutes until tomatoes are bursting and slightly caramelized. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Garlic isn’t just a bold and beautiful flavor booster — it’s a functional food that supports your health from the inside out. This summer, celebrate the season’s fresh produce by incorporating garlic into your dressings, dips, and roasted vegetables. Simple, wholesome, and packed with benefits, garlic is a kitchen MVP you’ll never want to be without.

Visit a JC Food Mart store today to pick up garlic.

Enjoy Summer WIC Foods This July 4!

Summer is in full swing. Que the fireworks because this July 4th is going to be HOT! We have summer WIC foods and fun activities your plans this holiday weekend.

If you are ready to kick off July 4th with a big bang, we have some great tips to help you cool down and chill and celebrate with your family this holiday weekend – all spotlighting foods WIC foods you can redeem with your EBT card.

The fun doesn’t stop there. We also rounded up some family-friendly activities for the entire family.

SUMMER WIC FOODS: PICNIC PERFECT (SPOTLIGHTING WIC INGREDIENTS)

Many people will fire up the grill this holiday weekend. We have the perfect grill addition and a few sides that go perfect with your family picnic.

SUMMER WIC FOODS: GRILLED POTATOES

Wrap your russet potatoes up in foil and throw them on the grill. Before closing the foil, feel free to add your favorite seasoning blend and a little olive oil for some extra flavor. Place them on the grill rack and let them cook. You know they are done when a knife slides easily into the center of the potato. Remove from grill and let cool. Remove foil and get ready for the fluffiest, smokiest tasting “baked” potato you can imagine. Add toppings (cheese, plain yogurt, salt, and pepper to taste) of your choice.

SUMMER WIC FOODS: SALSA MADE WITH GRILLED PEACHES

While your grill is out, slice open peaches ( a great summer WIC food) in half and throw them cut side down on the grill for this amazing recipe you will want to keep eating ALL SUMMER LONG.

4 ripe peaches pitted and sliced in half

1 red onion diced

2 ripe tomato diced

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)

1 lime juiced

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the peaches with olive oil and place them cut-side down onto the grill. Grill for about 5 minutes until the peaches are soft but not mushy. In a bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Remove hot peaches from the grill. Let them cool before dicing them. Add to bowl and mix with remaining ingredients. Serve.

INDEPENDENCE DAY FAMILY FUN

Spending time with loved ones is the best medicine. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to put a smile on a kid’s face and enjoy quality family time. In fact, sometimes the simpler things are the best. Here are a few ideas we loved for spending extra quality time with the family this holiday weekend.

Make Patriotic Crafts –It is fun to make something patriotic for the holiday. We found a few ideas you might like on Pinterest. Check them out here and here.
Visit A Local Park
Make A Snack Together – Check out our blog for great kid-friendly recipes the whole family will love.
Find Fireworks Displays Where You Live – If you are looking for a fireworks display close to where you live check this out. You are sure to find one near you.

DON’T WASTE TIME, GET YOUR SUMMER WIC FOODS TODAY!

With so much family fun planned, stop by any of 10 JC Food Mart locations around San Antonio to pick up all your WIC groceries in one easy stop. Don’t search aisles for WIC-approved foods. JC Food Mart caters to WIC clients, and everything in the store is WIC approved. You will be in and out with your groceries for your family picnic. Find a location near a WIC clinic near you on our website.