The concept of eating a specialized diet like the raw food diet might send some people to the conclusion that you have far too much time on your hands. After all, when you eat whatever you want, you have the choice to make a complex and complicated meal if you have the time and energy to spare, but if you are in a rush, you can always grab a bite to eat as you zip from here to there. Simplicity is always an option when your selection is endless; but when you are “limited” to a raw diet eating plan, you will forever be pre-planning your meals, and working your fingers to the bone to keep yourself properly fed, right?

As is the case with a lot of things, the raw diet can look a lot more complicated from the outside than it actually is in real life. Sure, you can spend a few hours whipping up complicated and intricate meals for your raw eating plan, but if you are pressed for time, there are plenty of simple raw food recipe ideas out there.

With summertime now upon us, there is no better time to experiment with some of these simple, tasty and cool recipes, leaving you with more time to spend with family out on the back deck, while still enjoying some great meals that will satiate that fickle summer hunger.

A great example of a raw food recipe that sounds very complex but is actually quite simple is a summertime favorite, cold watermelon soup. This delicate dish is great for summer evenings, and will wow your guests without overwhelming you in the kitchen.

To make, simply combine a cup of watermelon flesh per diner in a blender with half a cup on sliced fresh mango, two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice, two teaspoons of freshly chopped mint, half a teaspoon of freshly ground ginger and a pinch of ground cardamom. Blend until smooth, and chill for an hour prior to serving. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf, and prepare to answer questions about the prep time for longer than it took to actually make the dish itself!

Another great summertime dish is guacamole, but most store bought varieties include tons of dried and dead spices, preservative chemicals and added flavors and colors. When done right, a raw guacamole does not need any help for color or taste, and makes a great dip for fresh veggie plates.

All you need are two or three large ripe avocados, three medium sized cherry tomatoes, a lime and a handful of fresh cilantro. Chop the cilantro, juice the lime, coarsely chop the tomatoes, mash the avocados with a fork, and combine all of the ingredients together. Pop the dish, covered, into the fridge for an hour if you can, but be warned: this guacamole is so good, it is almost impossible to keep out of it for a full hour. The longer you can wait to dig in, the better the flavors will be able to meld together, but don’t fret if people want to dig in immediately.