RoobiFood

I don’t know how the rest of the country is doing, but here in Massachusetts the temperatures have been soaring for days, and with the price of food on the rise eating-out has become a less than economical option for days on end.
Cooking at home sends the temperature into levels beyond tolerance and the kitchen seems like the inside of an autoclave.
To combat these issues I’ve put together a few no cook recipes to help beat the heat.

On a Side Note: Be sure to check the status and origin of tomatoes in cooking to reduce the risk of salmonella in raw tomato dishes.

Fruits- This is a great time to eat fruits as a side dish or as the main course. Often overlooked fruiuts make an excellent tasting addition to many meals, and not just as dessert.

Puerto Rican Watermelon- Chop watermelon into bite-sized squares sprinkle with a little sugar and liberally sprinkle with a good quality Vodka. Toss then serve.

Apple Salad- Chop apples into small cubes or small slices. Toss with chopped smoked cheese, or a blue cheese could work too. Add chopped baby spinach and your favorite nut. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice. Toss and serve.

Fruit Salad- Chop and mix your favorite fruits for a delicious salad. Also try adding chopped nuts or fresh mint.

Appetizer Style- Tapas or appetizer style meals are great in this weather, especially since appetites are usually subdued by the extreme heat.

Meat and Cheese Trays- Slice up some assorted trail bologna, kielbasa (often sold precooked), or deli meat and serve with your favorite cheeses. Also having some pieces of bread, crackers, or sliced cucumbers to stack your snack with are great ways to make it more filling.

Pinwheels- These are great snacks in any weather especially for kids. Take sliced Salami or Bologna and spread one side of each slice with cream cheese. Then sprinkle with dill or chives (if you like capers could be used instead of dill). Roll and then slice. These give a nice presentation and are delicious.

Tuna Salad- Tuna salad can be used to make sandwiches, top a lettuce salad, or eat with vegetables and crackers. Drain a can of tuna fish put in a mixing bowl, add chopped onion, tomatoes, parsley, and chives (if you like add chopped olives too). Add a Tbsp of relish and several Tbsp of Mayonnaise and mix. Serve cold.

Other Options- When all else fails try any of these other pleasers.

Bean Salad- Using canned beans (already cooked) drain and rinse. Toss beans with chopped red pepper, onions, some salt and pepper and chopped fresh parsley. This is a great salad and gives a good dose of protein. Any bean will do, I prefer a good white bean.

Couscous- Secret Secrets are no fun… Well here’s one for you. I rarely boil water when making couscous, generally tap water turned to its hottest setting is sufficient to prepare couscous. Just let sit until water is absorbed (If adding dried herbs and spices throw them in with the dry couscous), just as though you were making it stove-top. Chop any fresh vegetables and enjoy. My favorite combo is Italian Seasoning and diced tomatoes. It’s a nice substitute for spaghetti.

I hope some of these no-cook recipes can help you survive both the heat and the budget crunch this summer.