Favorite dinners when it is HOT?

[HeatherC]

What’s everyone like to have besides sandwiches when the temps go up, up, up? Looking for some ideas since it looks like the heat will be here for a while.

Tonight we are having grilled flank steak, a baby arugula salad with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil along with a quinoa veggie salad I made and will serve cold.

What are you having?

 

[PollyannaMom]

salads with grilled chicken or steak on them

hot dogs

too much take out

 

[Southernmiss]

Chinese takeout leftovers

Easiest way to keep the house cool!

Just had cubed watermelon for breakfast.

Picked up salad ingredients before Chinese takeout last night. Salads on the horizon.

 

[Jonfw2]

I like to sit outside on the patio with a nice bowl of really, really creamy clam chowder.

 

[Meriweather]

I cook the same all the time.
Live in Arizona so it is hot for around 5 months

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Salad bar. We set everything out - cut veggies, corn, beans, grains, cheese, raisins, sunflower seeds, croutons, almonds, fruits, olives, and everyone just makes their own salad exactly how they want it.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I wish I could make something easy like salads or sandwiches. My husband has to have a “real” meal regardless. Sometimes I make him grill something but I still end up making 2 sides. Got to have that starch and veggie with it.

 

[lanejudy]

Pasta salad (cooked the night prior when it’s hopefully cooler). To that I’ll add some grilled meat and raw veggies. I often just toss in whatever is in the fridge as leftover meat and veggies.

Caesar or garden salad. Usually served as “make your own” with grilled meat, shredded cheese, croutons and whatever else your family likes in a green salad.

We also make chicken quesadillas on the grill. Grilled chicken, cheese, diced fresh tomatoes and bell peppers. It only takes a few minutes on the grill to melt the cheese. Serve with salsa.

Got to have that starch and veggie with it.

Pasta salad or potato salad as the starch. Make it the night before while temps are cooler; better yet make a double batch so you don’t have to boil once that week. For veggies a side garden salad; or roast some squash, asparagus or brussel sprouts on the grill while cooking the meat.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I like to grill a protein and make tacos out of it with sides of chips, guacamole and pico de gallo. Sometimes grilled burgers with chips/guacamole, or grilled steak with a salad and corn on the cob. Keeps the kitchen cool.

 

[Mysterian]

Everyone who typically carouses the Meme thread is crazy about cooling off with a Coca-Cola Salad and a refreshing Beef Fizz.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I like a slow cooker meal on a hot day because it keeps the smells and heat down, trying to decide for today and it might be sous vide steaks or maybe chicken cacciatore.

 

[lynxstch]

Favorite hot weather meal--hot dogs, potato salad, fresh corn and fresh tomatoes (which btw is dinner tonite)

 

[loves to dive]

I wish I could make something easy like salads or sandwiches. My husband has to have a “real” meal regardless. Sometimes I make him grill something but I still end up making 2 sides. Got to have that starch and veggie with it.

My hubby usually eats only meat, maybe he will throw in a potatoe or green beans but mostly meat. I rarely eat meat other than chicken and eat a lot of fruit and veggies, so we just eat different things but try to eat at the same time. He cooks his meal, I cook mine.

I live in Georgia where it's hot at least 9 out of 12 months but during the hottest months I don't like to eat big meals. So, it's salads or chicken I can put on the indoor grill or eggs and grits, things like that. There are many nights if I've had a larger lunch, it's a bowl of cereal for me. Usually that is at least one night a week. I have what I call my bad for me cereal. I have high triglycerides so can't eat a lot of fat or carbs but my bad for me cereal is usually frosted shredded wheat. That way I don't feel too guilty cause it's shredded wheat after all. My morning cereal is grape nuts, which we like to call cardboard, so I can be bad every once in a while.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Cold soups like gazpacho are a healthy favorite of mine. Leftover paella is also great.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

My hubby usually eats only meat, maybe he will throw in a potatoe or green beans but mostly meat. I rarely eat meat other than chicken and eat a lot of fruit and veggies, so we just eat different things but try to eat at the same time. He cooks his meal, I cook mine.

I live in Georgia where it's hot at least 9 out of 12 months but during the hottest months I don't like to eat big meals. So, it's salads or chicken I can put on the indoor grill or eggs and grits, things like that. There are many nights if I've had a larger lunch, it's a bowl of cereal for me. Usually that is at least one night a week. I have what I call my bad for me cereal. I have high triglycerides so can't eat a lot of fat or carbs but my bad for me cereal is usually frosted shredded wheat. That way I don't feel too guilty cause it's shredded wheat after all. My morning cereal is grape nuts, which we like to call cardboard, so I can be bad every once in a while.

I’ve been cooking “Sunday night” dinners practically every night for dinner for over 40 years. I’m sick of it. Plus we’ve never had a dish washer so there’s all that too. My husband might occasionally grill something but I’m going to have to do everything else so I don’t usually feel like fixing myself something else. It’s just more work and clean up.

 

[RamblingMad]

I avoid carbs and beef when its hot. And I eat more fish and chicken and veggies.

 

[Sinder]

I stick to grilling when it's hot. Grilled meat over a salad or grilled meat with grilled veggies.
Tonight we are having grilled chicken, grilled zucchini and caprese salad.

 

[easyas123]

I cook the same year - round, so our menu doesn't change to much season to season.

I do think we eat less in the summer when it's really hot outside and we spend a lot of time out there-

 

[mumto3girls]

Tonight we are having sushi—picking it up from an “upscale” grocery store. Definitely cool. Only DDs and me tonight. DH is out of town. I’m not crazy about sushi but the girls love it and it’s easy for me on a busier day so that’s what I am doing. DH would eat a piece or two and then ask what was for dinner?

Generally though we grill more in the summer and eat more salads. Less “heavier” meals like pot roast, roasted chicken, lasagna. And I am more likely to put fruit on the table as part of the meal than I am in the winter.

If it were just me I’d do more pasta salads, tuna/chicken/egg salad, but that wouldn’t fly with my family.

 

[DLgal]

Honestly, a smoothie. I always keep several bags of frozen fruit in the freezer. I throw a bunch into the blender, add lots of plain greek yogurt (at least a full serving for the protien), and some fresh juice. It's filling and cold and is a great meal when its super hot.