Monday, July 9, 2012

Favorite Summer No Cook Recipes

The recent heat wave has left me with little to no desire to cook. I can't bare the thought of spending time in the kitchen right now, so I either order in, go out, or eat something like a banana and a cold glass of wine and call it dinner. However, you need not resort to such drastic extremes to come up with a great meal. Here are some great recipes that require no cooking time and can be prepared with minimal effort:

This peach and tomato salad with burrata is like summer on a plate. Juicy peaches and tomatoes are paired with creamy burrata and a basil oil to highlight all the fresh and light flavors.

Peach-Tomato Salad with Burrata

I have been known to eat an entire cantaloupe in one sitting. However, instead of displaying that particular talent, how about trying it in this refreshing salad. With a bit of salty prosciutto and fresh mint, you will feel cooled down in no time.

Cantaloupe and Bocconcini Salad with Mint

It's hard to play favorites with summer produce, but I think tomatoes are at the top of my list. I love this bright salad with different types of tomatoes paired with spicy arugula.

Mixed Tomato Salad

I don't normally like cold soups, but this gazpacho is kind of irresistible. It's tangy and fresh and filling as well.

Gazpacho

Keeping all of the ingredients ready in my fridge makes these Mediterranean-style turkey wraps a snap to prepare when I get home from work. When I get home from the market I spend a little extra time slicing everything so I can have dinner in minutes.

Mediterranean-Style Turkey Wrap

At the end of a meal, you may still want a sweet treat. Here is a great no-bake option with sweet figs, creamy ricotta, and crunchy pistachios.

Figs with Ricotta and Pistachios

My "signature" drink a couple of summers ago was this watermelon cucumber cocktail. With or without the booze, it is one of the most refreshing ways to cool down quick.

Watermelon Cucumber Cocktail

Are you like me and avoid the kitchen when it is hot, or do you ignore it and press on? I would love to hear about some of your favorite ways to beat the heat so leave them in the comments!






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13 comments:

marla said...

These all look wonderful ~ especially those figs!

TidyMom said...

oh I hear ya!! too hot to cook here too, thanks for some great ideas!

aida mollenkamp said...

You had me at peaches and tomatoes! I love that combination this time of year!

Elliott said...

You wouldn't think it to know me, but I love that peach, burrata, heirloom tomato salad! I first had it at Cube, years ago, and love to make it every year around this time!

Stay cool, girl!

susan said...

yum, yum, and more yum!

Joanne said...

Not gonna lie, I haven't really felt like cooking either though I've been forcing myself to. I should make myself some of these recipes! That peach burrata salad sounds dreamy.

Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media] said...

Great round-up!

Kristina Vanni said...

What a great and simple way to use some of the season's best ingredients. These are great-thanks for sharing!

Gastronomer said...

Ain't no shame in having a banana and wine for dinner.

Stay cool in ChiTown.

lisa is cooking said...

I'm notorious for baking even on the hottest days. When it's hot here, there's no avoiding the heat so why not go ahead and bake is my thinking. But, I love a nice, cool, no-cook meal in the heat of the summer, and these salads look perfect!

vanillasugarblog said...

happy weekend totes!
i have another broccoli-crunch salad made with bacon fat that I'm in love with. I need to remember the recipe.
pork fat rules

LetMeEatCake Eat With Me! said...

peaches and burrata are my fave summer time no cook eats! well anything with burrata really but peaches really take it to the next level

kellypea said...

Nice collection of "cool" plates! I can't stand to cook when it's hot and like you just want to grab something easy. But chopping veg for salad in the kitchen with only the light from the window and the patio door open to catch any breeze would be my usual on hot days. (or eating out!)