Food Ideas When Your Too Hot to Cook

When the heat of summer hits you the last thing you want to do is be in the kitchen. Just the though of food is more than most of us can handle. When you hear that dreaded phrase, ‘what’s for dinner Mom” you just want to cringe. Yet we all know we have to eat. What can you make when the thought of food is the furthest thing from your mind? Here are a few ideas to try.

Salads always top the list of great summer foods. Toss salads are great if you don’t have a really hungry crowd. When that salad needs to be more than just a dinner starter you can add some of the following to help beef it up. Cubed cheddar cheese with slices of deli chicken, turkey or ham can make a great salad. Leftover meats, sliced into strips are also a real salad pleaser. Add zucchini or summer squash slices for something a little different. Try a taco salad by adding left over ground beef, tortilla chips and salsa.

Chef salads have been on menus everywhere for years. These salads are a toss salad with all the great extras. Hard boiled eggs, cheese, sliced turkey, ham or roast beef can all be added to make a Chef’s salad. Top it with your favorite dressing, bacon bits and croutons and you have a meal that will satisfy any family.

Spinach salads are also a great meal when it’s too hot to cook. Make you salad with baby spinach leaves. Add cheese, cucumbers, pickles, olives and even a jalapeno pepper if you feel like adding a little more sweat to the brow. Strawberries or mandarin oranges are a great addition to a spinach salad.

Sandwiches of any type can be the perfect meal in the summer. There’s not cooking, very little fussing and they fill you up. They are easy to eat on the run, while lounging in your favorite outside chair or in the comfort of that air conditioning.

Deli sandwiches are great on a hot summer evening. Use deli turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, corned beef or salami are all great meats for these types of sandwiches. Add your favorite vegetables and cheese and these sandwiches will be a mealtime hit.

Chicken or tuna salad make great summer time sandwiches. Serve them on bread, croissants or in wraps. Place a spoonful on a bed of lettuce and add a fresh fruit salad on the side. What a way to cool down.

When it comes to a hot summer nobody really wants a 4 course meal. Satisfy your family with an easy salad or sandwich while keeping cool at the same time.