Summer/hot weather recipes

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Actually, I was just thinking....Craig likes the more "warm weather" type of stuff in general anyway (as opposed to rich comfort food type of things) and I've been wanting to/trying to lose some weight....AND you normally just don't feel like eating meals that are so heavy in the summer anyway.

Now that I will be back to work full time, looking for meals that will be pretty quick and easy for during the week, and cold...can be as simple as a favorite sandwich...(got some great ideas off the sandwich thread!) or something that needs to be cooked. Obviously, I'm trying to minimize use of the oven for those really hot days...it was pretty warm here for this time of year today, and I was cleaning upstairs...DOH! ..worst place to be on a hot day...and that's what made me start thinking about it.

I've already thought of pasta salads...we like those...but I don't really have many variations. I'm sure I can look some up, but if you have a favorite, post it! We all like tuna salad, sandwiches, grilling burgers and brats.... salads....

But, as I said...if you have a good combo or type of salad that you make that's a hit, I'd love to hear it!...OR *any* other warm-weather recipes! The more common the ingredients the better for me...we don't have too much of a great selection around here! Grrrrrrrr. Thanks all! I may bump this a couple of times because I'm really interested to hear what you've got...so try not to get frustrated with me.... M.

[homesick_american 1]

When I lived in TX my favorite hot weather food was jicama, pineapple, and cilantro salad. Sooooo refreshing. Gazpacho is also great since it's served cold.

[Erica 0]

I make a luke-warm, or cold, salad with potato/vegetable meal-salad that is a. pretty ossum and b. low on energy/high on laziness

I basically throw together cubed boiled potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, spring-onion, a handful of peas/corn and some feta cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and olive oil ... and it's done. If I have them (I'm dependent on my husband to send me US goodies for now) I put some Bacos on top. I'm not an olive fan, but those would also do well in it.

It doesn't really matter in what quantities you use everything, but I always make sure there are more veggies than taters.

Hope tis helpful

[Emancipation 2]

i love a great spinach salad..

Spinach Leaves

strawberries, kiwi or grapes (or whatever other kind of fruit you like)

Poppyseed dressing

or you can make a more traditional one with

eggs & bacon

[sereia 0]

a good place for recipes is cookinglight.com i've tried quite a few and they are very good! they even have sections for "quick and easy" so you don't have to slave away

[Marilyn. 340]

I have an awesome recipe for coleslaw.... It got rave reviews from the guys at the BBQ we had at the in-laws last Saturday....

Restaurant-Style Coleslaw

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (16 ounce) package coleslaw mix

* 1 tablespoon minced onion (you can reduce this or leave it out if you want)

* 1/3 cup white sugar

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 1/4 cup buttermilk

* 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar

* 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the coleslaw and onion in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, pepper, milk, mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar and lemon juice; mix until smooth. Pour mixture over the coleslaw and onion; stir well and chill for 1 hour (longer is even better).

Edited May 9, 2007 by MarilynP

[sereia 0]

if you do make this recipe (which does look good, btw ) i wouldn't use that much mayo...and i'd use LIGHT mayo if i were you! and try to cut back on that sugar!

[Marilyn. 340]

if you do make this recipe (which does look good, btw ) i wouldn't use that much mayo...and i'd use LIGHT mayo if i were you! and try to cut back on that sugar!

you are a party pooper

the recipe wouldn't be the same if you cut back on all that stuff

[sereia 0]

yah and her thighs won't be the same either. lol

Edited May 9, 2007 by abdounjen

[Marilyn. 340]

i haven't tried this recipe yet but it looks good...

Roast Chicken Sandwiches with Basil & Peppers

4 slices bread

4 tsps mustard (creamy Dijon-style)

6 oz. thinly sliced rotisserie chicken OR roasted chicken

2 roasted red peppers, cut into strips

Fresh basil leaves

Spread bread with mustard. Top 2 slices of bread with chicken, red pepper, basil and remaining bread.

[Marilyn. 340]

here are some pretty easy recipes for Pasta.... I have tired a few of the combos and I really liked it....

Springtime Pasta Toss

Springtime Pasta Toss II

15 Minute Pasta

These look good too...

15 Minute Flash in the Pan Dinners

Edited May 9, 2007 by MarilynP

[Marilyn. 340]

I just got this recipe in my email.. it sounds interesting....

California Grilled Veggie Sandwich

* Prep Time: 30 Minutes

* Cook Time: 20 Minutes

* Ready In: 50 Minutes

* Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

* 1/4 cup mayonnaise

* 3 cloves garlic, minced

* 1 tablespoon lemon juice

* 1/8 cup olive oil

* 1 cup sliced red bell peppers

* 1 small zucchini, sliced

* 1 red onion, sliced

* 1 small yellow squash, sliced

* 2 (4-x6-inch) focaccia bread pieces, split horizontally

* 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Set aside in the refrigerator.

2. Preheat the grill for high heat.

3. Brush vegetables with olive oil on each side. Brush grate with oil. Place bell peppers and zucchini closest to the middle of the grill, and set onion and squash pieces around them. Cook for about 3 minutes, turn, and cook for another 3 minutes. The peppers may take a bit longer. Remove from grill, and set aside.

4. Spread some of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the bread, and sprinkle each one with feta cheese. Place on the grill cheese side up, and cover with lid for 2 to 3 minutes. This will warm the bread, and slightly melt the cheese. Watch carefully so the bottoms don't burn. Remove from grill, and layer the with vegetables. Enjoy as open faced grilled sandwiches.

[sereia 0]

that last one sounds good. mmmm mayo and feta. i think i need a panini maker now!

[Marilyn. 340]

I was looking for some pita fillings for myself and I came across these....

*In a pita pocket spread some mustard, add two fried, all beef hot dogs, round fried potato slices, sauteed onions, sauteed peppers and call it an Italian Hot Dog on a diet.

*Grilled chicken (diced) mixed with shredded lettuce, cucumber, tomato, pinch of onion, teaspoon or two of sour cream with dill, salt and pepper mixed to taste. Combine the above well and stuff into your pita.

*turkey slices with laughing cow light creamy swiss, honey mustard, diced green peppers.

*Eggs scrambled with peppers, mushrooms and onion, and just a half an ounce of shredded cheese.

*another way to add interest to pitas is to use the fillings like you would a pizza topping. pita pizza! instead of putting everything in side, stack in on top and pop the thing in the toaster oven... then you get a toasty warm pita pizza

*fill them with chicken salad that you can make with celery, green onion, dried cranberry, mayo, salt, pepper and curry powder. Usually add some lettuce.

*chopped chicken with lowfat yogurt, cinnamon, chopped apples, and alfalfa sprouts.

chopped egg white, salmon, nonfat cream cheese, and chopped spinach.

tuna mixed with lowfat cottage cheese, scallions, lettuce, diced oranges.

turkey slices with laughing cow light creamy swiss, honey mustard, diced green peppers.

you can mix and match a lot--but always some lowfat protein, and something crunchy, and a little something creamy like marzetti's two-lightful honey dijon dressing. it's fun to experiement!

Edited May 9, 2007 by MarilynP

[homesick_american 1]

I find that anything too meaty, too carb-y or too creamy is a lot of work to digest in hot weather. Refreshing summer foods for me are fruit & veg and little else!

If someone's in the mood for cheese, tho...sometimes I just cut up some really ripe cherry or plum tomatos, cube some feta, and pour some balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil on it, then just eat it up. Mmmmm, feta-y.