On really hot days it's easy to just have cold cut sandwiches, but why not try something different? Here are several simple and delicious "no oven" meals for the summer.
It’s 90+ degrees outside and the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven and produce more heat. So what can you prepare for dinner without using the oven? Of course you could always make some cold cut sandwiches, or have a pizza delivered, but there is nothing exciting about that. Here are some tasty but simple meal ideas for those really hot summer days.
Menu Idea #1
Fried Chicken Salad - Buy microwaveable chicken strips. Add with spring greens, and toss with your favorite dressing. For variety you can add bacon bits, olives or dried cranberries. You can serve with store bought rolls (that don’t have to be heated of course), and a cold glass of lemonade.
Menu Idea #2
Pretzel Sandwiches - Purchase microwaveable soft pretzels. These can typically be found in the frozen food section of your local grocer. Warm the pretzel slightly and top with deli sliced turkey and/or ham, and your choice of cheese. Heat again in the microwave until the cheese has melted. Be sure not to overheat as you don’t want the pretzel to become rubbery. Top with your favorite mustard for a final touch. You can serve this with a fruit cup, or store bought potato or pasta salad. It’s simply delicious.
Menu Idea #3
Chicken Salad with Fruit Plate - Buy chicken salad from your local deli. This can be expensive, but buy just enough for an ice cream scoop per plate. Place beautiful greens, maybe a nice mixture of lettuces and spinach, on a dinner plate. Put one ice cream scoop of chicken salad in the middle of the plate. Now around the chicken salad place pineapple chunks, grapes, strawberries and melons. Top the dish with sprinkles of almonds, pecans and/or walnuts. For more flavor drizzle with ranch dressing. Serve with store bought rolls and a tall glass of iced tea.
Menu Idea #4
Deli Wraps - For this menu idea you’ll need tortilla bread, condiments, deli meats and cheeses and sliced veggies. Begin by slightly warming your tortilla bread; you can do this by putting it in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Now spread your choice of condiments on the bread. Try something different like cranberry mustard, or a red wine vinaigrette dressing. Now put on your choices of meats and cheeses. Top with lots of veggies like red onions, olives, lettuces, and cherry tomatoes, but don’t put too many items in one wrap as it can make it somewhat hard to close. Roll your wrap and place on the plate with the fold down. Serve with chips and a dill pickle.
Menu Idea #5
Turkey and Coleslaw Sub - You’ll need deli sliced turkey, coleslaw mix and cheese if you‘d like. You can buy already prepared coleslaw, use a mix, or make your own. Spread mayo on your sub roll, now put on your cheese if you want and top with several slices of turkey. If you prefer you can melt the cheese on the turkey before putting on your sub roll. Now top with a couple of spoonfuls of coleslaw. This can be a little messy but very tasty and filling.
