Let’s be honest who doesn’t want to keep cool with no-cook summer meals? This summer has been a doozy between the heat, humidity and Covid. Everyone is tired of cooking and in search of healthy, easy, late summer meals that don’t require cooking, especially in these dog days of summer. As temperatures hover near 100 degrees this month, the last thing you want to do is turn on your oven or stove. Secret Ingredient has some wonderful no-cook summer meal ideas that will allow you to enjoy your summer nights instead of cooking and cleaning up a ton of pots and pans.
So grab a glass of iced tea or chilled rosé and let’s meal plan to keep cool with no-cook summer meals!
Keep Cool With No-Cook Summer Salads
With an abundance of summer produce still growing at farms, there are many wonderful summer salads to enjoy. Fresh garden tomatoes are ripening faster than we can pick them this time of season. Zucchinis and watermelons are springing up in everyone’s home or on commercial farms. Pick them from your own garden, visit your local farmers’ market, or maybe a friend with an abundance will share some from their harvest. Here are a few wonderful summer salads, Secret Ingredient can’t get enough of:
- Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad though it’s simple, with the right ingredients this salad is a true crowd-pleaser. Start with a variety of fresh tomatoes of different colors, be sure to use fresh mozzarella or burrata, and quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top it off with sliced basil from the store or your container garden.
- This Fresh Zucchini and Corn Salad from FoodieCrush.com is another lively salad for hot summer nights. This salad is wonderful when prepped in the afternoon so the zucchini and corn marinate, and the vinaigrette “cooks” the ingredients before eating. Top with goat cheese and fresh purple basil, and enjoy!
- Nothing really quells the summer heat like a juicy slice of watermelon. And, nothing can be easier than a simple Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad on a night when you can’t bear to do anything but lounge around in your bathing suit! Top it off with some refreshing mint.
- Don’t avoid summer salads with protein, when you’re craving something quick, cool and filling. We suggest stopping by your local market to pick up fresh cooked proteins to add instead of turning on your stove or grill. This Avocado and Shrimp Chopped Salad is a great meal, just buy some store-bought cooked shrimp.
Keep Cool By Blending A No-Cook Summer Meal
Embrace the last few weeks of summer and stay cool by turning to your food processor or blender to help you create a delicious summer meal.
- Gazpacho is the quintessential summer soup because all of the fresh ingredients are in season this time of year, and there’s no need to heat up your stove or oven! Just chop your ingredients and let your blender or food processor handle the rest.
- We love this classic dish with a fresh summer spin, Raw Summer Marinara with Zucchini Noodles. Zucchini noodles are gluten-free and much less heavy for a light but satisfying summer dish. Break out your spiralizer or purchase pre-made zucchini noodles from your local market.
Some Assembly Required
- Snack Boards seem to be all the craze but they can be a truly satisfying and enjoyable meal. The key is to be sure to add a variety of foods that are a balance of fats, proteins, carbs and fiber. They are great for serving all ages and a fun no-cook summer meal alternative. The possibilities are truly endless whether you do a cheese and charcuterie board, anti-pasta board, bruschetta board, just have fun with it and be sure to add nuts, fruits and veggies that you have on hand.
- You’ll need just a few simple ingredients, a knife and a cutting board to create this fresh and flavorful Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche
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