The thought of cooking on a hot day seems like a kind of negotiation; you want to eat, but you don’t want to be sweaty from cooking, and you definitely don’t want to wash a roasting pan. In my home, summer meals tend to have a lighter and more refreshing feel. Sheet pan recipes, cold noodles, and quick sautes. Some refer to these as “assembly dinners,” which sounds a little lazy – because it is (and because it works). Select a couple, turn them without remorse, and allow the stove to enjoy a tranquil period.
Contents
- 1) Tomato Sandwiches
- 2) No-Cook Gazpacho
- 3) Rotisserie Chicken Dinner
- 4) Caprese Platter
- 5) Shrimp Tacos
- 6) Cold Sesame Noodles
- 7) Greek Salad
- 8) Sheet Pan Sausage
- 9) BLT Salad
- 10) Pesto Pasta
- 11) Tuna Bean Salad
- 12) Tomato Corn Salad
- 13) Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- 14) Halloumi Veggie Skillet
- 15) Salmon Rice Bowls
- 16) Steak Salad
- 17) Veggie Quesadillas
- 18) Couscous Bowl
- 19) Zucchini Noodles
- 20) Sardine Toasts
- 21) Cold Soba Noodles
- 22) Breakfast for Dinner
- 23) Chicken Caesar Wraps
- 24) Antipasto Plates
- 25) Vegetable Fried Rice
- 26) Watermelon Feta Salad
1) Tomato Sandwiches
I’ll admit I have served this as a dinner and felt a bit smug about it. Select the ripest tomatoes that you can find, salt them well, and let them rest so they can release some of their liquid. Here is what I would recommend. For extra crunch, I recommend toasting the bread and adding a crazy amount of mayo There is no room for shyness right now. If you want more food, feel free to add a fried egg or some potato chips (it’s a little messy but really good).
2) No-Cook Gazpacho
With Gazpacho, you have an excuse to never turn on the stove. Blend and chill tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, garlic and olive oil and vinegar to taste like summer. Smooth is fine. No one is going to give you a grade. If you want to fool someone into thinking this is a real dinner, pair it with some bread and maybe a couple slices of cheese.
3) Rotisserie Chicken Dinner
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This is my summer emergency trifecta, and it has come to the rescue on evenings when I don’t have the energy to do anything fun. Get a rotisserie chicken, some kind of cooked corn (as you wish, be it microwave, boil, etc.), and a bag salad that’s acceptable to you (not something you hate). Tear the chicken with your hands; it feels oddly therapeutic. If you’re really pumped, just drizzle some lemon over it and voila, it’s a plan.
4) Caprese Platter
Although Caprese salad is a summer classic, the addition of peaches gives it a touch of elegance without any additional work. You’ll stop and say “oh, right” while taking a bite. Excellent oil and salt are essential. I might include prosciutto or toasted nuts if I want it to be more dinner than a snack.
5) Shrimp Tacos
Considering the criteria I set here, shrimp cooks so quickly that it barely counts as me “turning on the stove.” Mix shrimp with a little chili powder, some garlic, and a bit of oil, and sear them for a couple of minutes until they are opaque and fully cooked. Topped with slaw and a hint of lime. Even if you forget the slaw, the lettuce and hot sauce will still do the trick.
6) Cold Sesame Noodles
I didn’t put too much effort into this dinner, but it still tastes great. If you’re feeling tactical, make your noodles first thing in the morning, then rinse them in cold water. Then, add a peanut-sesame sauce and lots of cucumbers. It may feel a little like cheating but it’s best to let it sit for a while. If you want it to be heartier, you can add shredded chicken, tofu, or a soft-boiled egg.
7) Greek Salad
Greek salad is almost dinner; adding chickpeas makes it dinner. Use crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and feta that actually tastes like something. A basic dressing of red wine vinegar and olive oil is great on its own, but I like to add a little oregano too. This is great for lonely peppers and herbs waiting to be put to use.
8) Sheet Pan Sausage
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I know: the oven. Since it’s a one-pan meal and you aren’t spending much time on it, I suppose I can allow it. Slice sausage, toss with peppers and onions, add oil and a pinch of fennel or Italian seasoning, then roast until everything is browned at the edges. I can understand since you can eat it in a bun, on a bed of rice, or even standing at the counter when you are ‘tasting for seasoning.’
9) BLT Salad
A BLT is great, but there are times I don’t want to battle with a messy sandwich. BLT salad: lettuce, tomato, bacon, and croutons (which are just sad toast). A mayonnaise-based dressing with just a touch of vinegar sets the tone. Once you add an avocado, it becomes virtually impossible to stop eating.
10) Pesto Pasta
I picked up this little trick after foolishly making multiple separate pots. Boil pasta, then toss green beans in for the last few minutes so they cook in the same water. Drain it, stir in some pesto, and add a quick squeeze of lemon to brighten it up. It’s still good warm, and it’s good at room temp too, which is basically summer’s mission statement.
11) Tuna Bean Salad
This is what I prepare when I want to eat like an adult but did not grocery shop. Mix canned tuna (oil-packed if you can) with cannellini beans, red onion, parsley, lemon, and olive oil. It is invigorating, wholesome, and savory. Use those crackers, toast, or cucumber slices you meant for something else to scoop it up.
12) Tomato Corn Salad
If summer was a taste, this is what it would be. Combine cooked corn (either fresh, frozen, or leftover), ripe tomatoes, and avocado. Add salt and squeeze lime juice on top. The sound made by chips being crunched gives dinner a more intentional feel. I shared this with my friends and somehow the bowl emptied before we even got to the table.
13) Chicken Lettuce Wraps
In theory, this is simple. While your preparation may cause the lettuce to collapse by overfilling, this is not a problem. Cook ground chicken with garlic, ginger, and a splash of soy sauce until it’s browned and fragrant. Place some into fresh crunchy lettuce leaves and add any crunchy toppings you have on hand, like carrots, cucumbers, or peanuts. I appreciate the fact that although it’s light, it doesn’t taste like diet food.
14) Halloumi Veggie Skillet
It seems like Halloumi cheese has somewhere else to be. It quickly browns and will not melt into a cheesy pool. Brown the slices, then incorporate quick-cooking veggies like zucchini and cherry tomatoes. If you have any, add a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of herbs. For a moment, you might feel a bit oddly capable and lucky. Eat it with pita or over couscous.
15) Salmon Rice Bowls
Prepare the salmon (bake it, pan-sear it, or use leftovers) and flake it into a bowl containing rice and cool cucumbers. If you drizzle some soy-sesame sauce (and maybe a bit of mayo) on top, it turns into a “real” situation, instead of just “stuff in a bowl.” This is especially good if you make extra rice and put it in the fridge for some quick meals later in the week. If you enjoy spicy food, add a little chili crisp.
16) Steak Salad
Yes, cooking steak is a necessity, but it is quicker to do than you might think, plus it provides you with leftovers. Sear a small steak, let it rest, and then slice it thin over a bed of arugula with nectarines or plums. The combination of sweet fruit and pungent vegetables is strangely addicting. I want a sharper vinaigrette here; I want something with mustard that snaps the whole thing awake.
17) Veggie Quesadillas
You can prepare quesadilla in a jiffy and fill them with almost anything, making them the perfect meal for the scorching summer heat. Bell peppers and onions should be cooked (or you can go with raw spinach and let it wilt), add some cheese, and then pan fry the mixture until the tortilla gets some brown spots and is nice and crispy. Serve with salsa and whatever else you have in your fridge door. Sometimes this is the most important task since it tends to be very forgiving to picky eaters.
18) Couscous Bowl
Couscous is instant comfort food; just add boiling water, and you can pretend that you made a meal. Gently combine the ingredients, then fold in the cucumber, feta, herbs, and lemon. It has a neat and organized taste like you have coordination with your containers. This is satisfying even without a ‘main’, but you can add chickpeas or leftover chicken if you’d prefer something more substantial.
19) Zucchini Noodles
I’m not going to argue that zucchini noodles are pasta. They’re not, and that’s okay. They are, however, crisp, quick, and lovely combined with the burst cherry tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan. Keep cooking times to a minimum. Any longer and the zucchini could start getting slumpy and soggy. If you are really hungry you could mix in real spaghetti or serve it with some bread.
20) Sardine Toasts
It may seem difficult, but I think it’s worth trying. Good sardines on toast with lemon and herbs are salty, rich, and basically designed for hot days when cooking feels rude. I like a smear of butter or a bit of mayonnaise under the fish. Don’t judge me. You may be wearing gym shorts, but you will still feel a bit European. It can be enjoyed with some sliced tomatoes!
21) Cold Soba Noodles
Cold soba means dinner is going to be refreshing. To prepare, first boil the noodles, then rinse them in cold water to help them cool and give them a bouncy texture. Serve with a quick dipping sauce made of soy sauce, mirin (or sugar), and dashi if available. Top with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. It is calm, cheerful, and safe for your kitchen.
22) Breakfast for Dinner
Det er tider hvor det eneste til middagen er egg. On a soft-boil to get jammy yolks, then stack on toast. Include sliced tomatoes that have been seasoned with salt and pepper. It is simple to make, and it truly embodies the spirit of a comforting dish, and most importantly, it does not require any oven-baking. If you have some fruit, put it on the table and pretend it was there the entire time.
23) Chicken Caesar Wraps
Caesar salads are great, but if you’re looking to eat on the go, a caesar wrap would be a better option. Get some rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken, romaine, dressing you like, and Parmesan cheese. Incredible as it may sound, croutons in the wrap are a bit out there. I’ve made these for beach-house dinners where everyone is pretty antsy about sitting down, and they disappear fast.
24) Antipasto Plates
This is dinner for those who want the experience of eating like they`re grazing at a friend’s party. Place some salami, mozzarella, melons, olives, and crunchy veggies on a large platter, and let everyone create their ideal bite! It feels as though intelligent shopping is a form of self-indulgence. I appreciate this on humid evenings when boiling water feels like an act of personal aggression.
25) Vegetable Fried Rice
Fried rice is what I make when I have leftover rice and zero patience. Heat the rice, frozen mixed vegetables, and one or two eggs together and stir fry until all ingredients are warm and a bit toasty. Season with soy sauce and a hint of sesame oil, then stop before you ‘fix’ it into blandness. Because it is quick, of high quality, and forgiving, people are likely to ask for it again.
26) Watermelon Feta Salad
You may think that watermelon and feta cheese do not go together, but they actually complement each other. The mint and lime give it a refreshing sweetness and sharpness. When you combine this with some quickly prepared chicken, whether that is grilled (if you are outside) or pan-seared (if you are indoors), it definitely feels more like a light dinner instead of a heavy one. This salad is also great with toasted pita and chickpeas if you are vegetarian.
