What To Eat When It’s Too Hot To Cook

Much of the world is experiencing a heat wave this summer, and you probably know how important it is to stay hydrated. But what do you do when you don’t have the energy or desire to cook? You may be tempted to drive through fast food restaurants or go home and open a bag of chips; anything to avoid turning on the stove! To feel better and save money, though, make a plan to beat the heat with healthy meals.

My favorite summer meal is an antipasto platter, just a fancy name for a snack tray, that you can make both healthful and hearty. On a large plate or cutting board, lay out slices of crusty bread or whole grain crackers, rolled turkey slices, 1 or 2 types of cheese (e.g. fresh mozzarella and goat cheese),  olives, pepperoncini and lots of fruits and vegetables that are in season: melon wedges, peach slices and berries along with cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, radishes and sugar snap peas. Yum!

Another summer favorite is grilled anything. I recommend grilling once, making enough to last several days. Cook chicken drumsticks, chicken breasts, a few pork chops, and a salmon steak along with abundant vegetables, and you’ve got 4 or more meals, depending on your family size. If it’s just you, maybe grill just one protein source this week and a different one next week. For your vegetables, grill several varieties, individually wrapped in foil with a splash of olive oil and seasoning, so you can have something new each night: bell peppers and onions; corn on the cob; sweet potatoes; asparagus; summer squash; and eggplant. 😋 Another great option is tossing your grilled protein with a fresh, colorful salad!

For more ideas, try these great recipes HERE and HERE.

Just One Thing to do: Lighten up your summer eating with healthful no-cook (or grill once) dinners! 

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