Summer Cooking [Cooking]
2009 Jun 27
If you get tired of tortillas, try Indian style flat breads like chapati (blows store bought out of the water). There are lots of great instructional videos on Youtube.
Lots of salads using couscous, grains, etc. that can be reconstituted with hot water are good in the summer. Use thinner cuts of meat that require less cook time per side. Salad rolls, vietnamese style are awesome, as is a homemade vermicelli (noodles can be reconstituted in hot water) salad with diced cucumber, carrot, mint, lettuce, bean sprouts, grilled tofu/meat/whatever. Sandwiches. Banh mi (viet style subs).
Lots of salads using couscous, grains, etc. that can be reconstituted with hot water are good in the summer. Use thinner cuts of meat that require less cook time per side. Salad rolls, vietnamese style are awesome, as is a homemade vermicelli (noodles can be reconstituted in hot water) salad with diced cucumber, carrot, mint, lettuce, bean sprouts, grilled tofu/meat/whatever. Sandwiches. Banh mi (viet style subs).
2009 Jun 27
Sounds like the BBQ is out.
Do you have a slow cooker? I used to use mine for a hot meal in summer time in my tiny apt with no a/c.
I like making things with canned lentils- you can make a veggie type wrap with them using tortillas.
Quesidillas cook really quickly.
Store roast chickens are good quick solutions- if you have a Costco memmbership they are $6.99 there.
Frozen cooked shrimp are an easy way to add protein to salad or make shrimp salad sandwich.
I second the salad rolls. Sunomono salad or glass noodle salad are also good. Sub sandwiches.
Omlettes are pretty quick to do.
Microwave baked potatoes
For couscous, I have had a tasty curried couscous salad with dried apricots in it before. Have also had versions with feta and sundried tomato.
Quinoa might be a change for you from couscous.
Meal salads such as greek, chicken caesar, cobb salad and you could serve with bruschetta with premade crostini.
Do you have a slow cooker? I used to use mine for a hot meal in summer time in my tiny apt with no a/c.
I like making things with canned lentils- you can make a veggie type wrap with them using tortillas.
Quesidillas cook really quickly.
Store roast chickens are good quick solutions- if you have a Costco memmbership they are $6.99 there.
Frozen cooked shrimp are an easy way to add protein to salad or make shrimp salad sandwich.
I second the salad rolls. Sunomono salad or glass noodle salad are also good. Sub sandwiches.
Omlettes are pretty quick to do.
Microwave baked potatoes
For couscous, I have had a tasty curried couscous salad with dried apricots in it before. Have also had versions with feta and sundried tomato.
Quinoa might be a change for you from couscous.
Meal salads such as greek, chicken caesar, cobb salad and you could serve with bruschetta with premade crostini.
2009 Jun 29
Great ideas! Thanks! I'm going to start a list of these, but salad rolls are definitely at the top of it :)
I do have a slow cooker, and have been using it a bit. I also find it makes meal prep less stressful, since I can just leave it to do its thing and not worry about it--a bonus in the summer when there's so much fun stuff to do outside.
Much appreciated!
I do have a slow cooker, and have been using it a bit. I also find it makes meal prep less stressful, since I can just leave it to do its thing and not worry about it--a bonus in the summer when there's so much fun stuff to do outside.
Much appreciated!
2009 Jun 30
I also do not barbecue at home for logistical reasons (my door has to be kept securely locked to keep my son safe), and going in and out of the house to prepare dinner is not practical for me.
Here's my list;
Edamame and noodle salad
Sushi (rice cooker doesn't heat up the house at all)
Ribs (cooked in the slow cooker and quickly flashed under the broiler)
Potato salad (does heat up the house but I make enough for a few days)
Israeli couscous and quinoa salad
Ice tea (I keep some in the fridge at all times)
Youngest child loves cold tortellini served with vinaigrette for dipping
Caesar salad
we also do veggies and dip as a side when it's too hot for a cooked side dish
and of course, for all 3 of them the favourite side dish of the summer is fruit salad.
Here's my list;
Edamame and noodle salad
Sushi (rice cooker doesn't heat up the house at all)
Ribs (cooked in the slow cooker and quickly flashed under the broiler)
Potato salad (does heat up the house but I make enough for a few days)
Israeli couscous and quinoa salad
Ice tea (I keep some in the fridge at all times)
Youngest child loves cold tortellini served with vinaigrette for dipping
Caesar salad
we also do veggies and dip as a side when it's too hot for a cooked side dish
and of course, for all 3 of them the favourite side dish of the summer is fruit salad.
frugalurban
(I do have access to a barbecue, but I have to go downstairs from my apartment into a shared backyard, and have enough hands to carry all my food, equipment and my two-year-old, so this isn't an everyday solution for me.)
One issue is that I'm a big fan of fresh bread, especially home made sourdough, and have been missing that part of my life (the making and the eating). However, I've "discovered" flour tortillas as an alternative to baking a loaf of bread.
Another summer replacement food has been couscous, which can replace long-cooking rice or pasta or whatever, and is so versatile. I'm planning to make a lot of couscous, especially after scoring a 10 lb bag for $10 from Grace Ottawa!
If other foodies have summer cooking or non-cooking ideas to share, I'd love to hear!