During the scorching heat of the summer, the last place you would want to be is standing over a hot stove in a tiny kitchen space, trying to fix an elaborate meal. Instead, you would just want to relax on the balcony having a chilled tea. Or perhaps dining out at the patio with your favorite no-cook dishes in a casserole
Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Time to begin gravitating towards no-cook meals more often than not. Light No-Cook meals which usually consist of refreshing, flavorful salads feat, cool flavors of cucumber, creams and something heavy to go along with it like smoked salmon. Read on to find out the 5 best No-Cook meals that you can whip up in less than half an hour in summers.
Best No-Cook Summer Dishes
1. Summer Salads
Summer Salads are an easy and simple meal to that just need a toss, a dash of lemon zest and yet have loads of flavor and nutrition. Salads keep your tummy filled as well as keep you hydrated throughout the day. Fresh summer Vegetables are perfect for a light tangy salad, like fennel. Fennel is a part of the anise family and has a slight licorice flavor and is as crunchy as celery. Fennel is a nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich vegetable and is often found in traditional Italian cuisine. The best fruit to pair up fennel is pomegranate. A freshness infused fennel and pomegranate salad has a perfectly light taste, is visually appealing and is a best choice of salad to along with a meat or fish dish. You can also try a fennel-lemon salad which tastes equally good.
If you’re not too keen on fennel then try a citrus infused Brussel sprouts salad with spring onions and a dash of olive oil. You can also pair sprouts and apple to create a heavenly salad delight. Chickpeas and mango salad, watermelon and feta, are other amazing options for salads in the summer.
Ensure your salads are colorful and packed with summer greens more than anything else. Use green leafy vegetables, beans, broccoli, gooseberry and the fruits and vegetables with loads of water content, fiber and various important nutrients the body needs on a day-to-day basis during the summer season. Make the salads quickly in the morning and Store some them in a casserole for lunch and dinner.
2. No Cook Zucchini Noodles
Sounds bland? It’s not, I assure you. This super easy to make noodles are perfect for a summer lunch at the patio or even summer picnics. They are low carb, packed with essential nutrients and take very little time to make. Best part of course is the No-Cook requirement. These low-carb spiraled zucchini noodles with pesto is a no-cook vegetarian meal that is bound to be a hit at the dinning table. The pesto adds so much flavor, and garden fresh noodles and tomatoes are super light.
3. Cucumber Soup
The most simple yet one of the best soups for the summer. No need for salt, pepper, or seasonings, just a good vegetable broth. Have it with a good slice of toasted bread and some yummy cheese. Pair it up with scoops of avocado and serve it cold. There’s tang and creaminess from the yoghurt and big, summery flavor from lots of freshness of the cucumber. This also quite obviously has a lot of water content and is perfect for keeping you cool in the summer. You can make a light salad with fresh onions, celery and lemon to go along with it as a side dish. You could very easily make this less vegetarian by adding maybe little bit of smoked bacon or smoked chicken. Even though you’re supposed to have the cucumber Soup chilled, you can very ditch the rules and have it hot. You can store in a hot box or a casserole for later too.
4. Smoked Salmon
One of the best ways to smoked salmon ideal for summer picnics is smoked salmon sandwiches. Pair it up with Avocado on toast with a little bit of spice on top. smoked salmon can also paired with mashed peas, some cream and a boiled egg on top for a hearty snack or light summer lunch.
You can also skip the sandwiches and make it into a proper lunch. It’s sure to be a hit with the family and especially children who will eagerly eat fish. All thanks to the rich, smokey flavor. It’s simple to make too. Homemade salmon is coated in a rub of spices that is easily adjustable as per your choice and taste. You can make the fish taste more sweet or salty, tangy or not, your choice entirely. This best to make during the hottest parts of summer since no or stove cooking is needed. Pair it up with a light summer salad to complete the meal. You can store it in an insulated casserole to keep it hot for later.
5. BBQ Cobb Salad
The Cobb salad is a perfect example of a no-cook dish that’s hearty and fills your tummy. It is quick to assemble, and takes less time to make. It tastes amazing, BBQ chicken, duh! And of course needs no cooking or standing over the stove for hours. Hype up that bbq flavor with chicken and crispy store bought bacon. It is especially flavorful and can be easily adapted to what you have on hand. Load it with zesty barbecue chicken, black beans, and cheddar cheese to re-invent this American classic. Take a large bowl or casserole. Whisk together mustard, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the dressing to the lettuce on the bowl.
Divide the lettuce into 4 parts and top them with the remaining ingredients, making separate rows of chicken, avocado, tomatoes, chickpeas and other summer Vegetables. Place a dip on the side or in the middle to complete the dish.
Last Words
The above list of 5 best No-Cook summer dishes are simple, easy to make, take minimal time and effort. No more standing near the stove for hours. Exactly what you need during summers.