Cooking in the heat is not fun. I don't feel like eating much, no one does, so I'm trying to have things ready to stuff in wraps, between slices of bread, eat as salads, or just cold picky bits. DD1 made up pasta salad for her lunches, and I'm going to do the same today ( that any of the below could be added) too for cool meals. Here's what we've had or will have during this heatwave for various fixings this week
- Hummus
- Spinach
- Sliced peppers
- Sliced cucumbers
- Shredded carrots
- Shredded cabbage
- Both sliced and grape tomatoes
- Craisins
- Bacon bits
- Sunflower seeds
- Sweet peas
- Shredded, sliced, or curd cheese
- Strawberries
- Ice berg salad mix
- Chicken breast meat ( cooked in the crockpot and portioned)
- Tuna with celery and mayo
- Deli turkey or ham
Dressings:
- All purpose, tsp sugar, 2 tsp. Vinegar, 1 tsp pepper, disolved, then about 1-2 healing TBLS mayo.
- Olive oil and lemon vinaigrette- using apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- Store bought French and Ranch
- Just mayo
Nothing new here, but it sure beats something from the oven, or greasy take out. We'll keep eating like this for a while, though I have ingredients for heavier meals should someone want to take over. Pasta in the crockpot with what seemed like pounds of vegetables was good Sunday, but when it got really hot Monday, even that had no appeal. Give me your ideas for beating the heat salads and wraps. I feel fortunate to have AC, even though I try to limit. I hope wherever you are, you're doing ok and managing with the record temperatures.
On super hot days, we switch to smoothies. I like oat or almond milk, protein powder, peanut butter (if you want a meal replacement), a banana (fresh or frozen, good chance to use up some of those freezer bananas. If frozen, I zap mine in the microwave for ~30 seconds) & lots of frozen/fresh fruit. Spinach is also a good addition.
ReplyDeleteI love a good smoothie but admittedly, not as a meal. Too many bad Slim Fast memories. My daughter makes some good nutritious versions. She likes after her work outs.
DeleteStove top here, with beans and burger.
ReplyDeleteTurning in the oven has no appeal. When you say stove top, meaning you just cook by stove top?
DeleteOof, I hear you there. It's hard knowing what to cook when it gets this hot. I wish I had ideas for you; my family's not a huge fan of cold dinners (which of course means I'm stuck in a hot kitchen!). I do like to make a giant veggie sandwich, but it still involves some cooking - though you could easily use pre-made ingredients. I make a giant long loaf of bread and slice it lengthwise. I spread it with hummus and then top that with whatever veggies I have hanging around. The last time, we had tomatoes, grilled zucchini (grilled eggplant is really good here too!), roasted red peppers (from a jar), and a few other things I can't remember right now. I drizzle some Italian-type salad dressing over top, then top with the bread, and I slice it into personal chunks. SUPER good! Stay cool! :)
ReplyDeleteA vegetable big Sandwich sounds pretty good to me. I'm a bread fiend.
DeleteSounds good to me. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Quick and cool is the goal.
DeleteAldi pizza for supper tonight along with watermelon. I have a large frying pan that I put on a low temp and "cook" the pizza that way. Then no oven needed. Last night was leftover sloppy Joes and broccoli salad (the one with raisins, red onion, sun flower seeds and bacon and a mayo, sugar, red wine vinegar dressing). Hard boiled some eggs. (craving egg salad sandwich) Probably BLT's at some point, again. Also, making pasta salad with bow tie pasta, broccoli (blanched), cherry tomatoes, shredded Parmesan cheese and good quality EVOO. And cucumbers in a sour cream dressing. Fresh pineapple, watermelon and red grapes. Sometimes we just graze - eat a little of this or that. I like to have a pasta salad made ahead for the week. Also, love to have fresh fruit ready to eat. Have a pineapple that I need to cut up yet. And romaine lettuce for faux Olive Garden salads. I'm rambling again but maybe something will inspire and hit the spot in this heat. Ranee
ReplyDeleteYour pan must be huge! How do you get top cooked adequately? You named one of my favorite salads though now I use craisins mostly.
DeleteThis wasn't one of Aldis "huge" pizzas, this was about 14" across. I put the lid on allowing venting for steam and it heats through very well. Must use lower temperature for a longer period of time. Heats through good and the cheese gets all melty. Only thing is, I like to turn it up a bit towards the end and I have been known to get the crust a little burnt if I don't watch closely. Because of medicine taken, I cannot use anything that has cranberry in it. Not a super fan, so am fine going without.
DeleteThat's impressive. I will need to try that. I suppose being a fresh pizza it works.
DeleteBLTs. Tomorrow I’m doing ham, potatoes and green beans in the crockpot. I made cabbage and noodles and a chicken rice dish at 9:00 a.m. the other day to beat the heat. Still need to make pasta salad. Might do that in the morning. I have decided that I hate cooking more than any other household chore, between the heat, the cost, and a general lack of inspiration. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteGrilled cheese with tomato's sounds good too. I failed to buy bacon.
DeleteA cold soup like gazpacho is good, easy and uses all the good summer veggies!
ReplyDeleteI've had up turned noses at cold soup. I had a delicious carrot cold soup at a college alumni luncheon. I've never found a good recipe since
DeleteI use the oven one night. A oven full of meat works all week with some to freeze. Vegetables, cooked and in refrigerator means that we can fill our plates and microwave. Even is this brutal heat, the kitchen is never hot. Cooking the meat in the late afternoon or early evening helps. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with cold meals.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky your kitchen doesn't heat up. Must be a good insulated oven too. Unless in a salad or sandwich, we're not fans of cold meat
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