ISO favorite it’s hot, it’s summer and the ac died meals/ideas/snacks?

M

mariadnoca

Moderator
I’m finding bag o’salads aren’t cutting it when doing a lot of semi heavy work around the house. Hopefully quick (in that if I sit down/stop working too long I won’t get up again vein) and yes, the hvac system died (long story, but likely not fixed soon). FYI, I do have a counter top oven in the garage to cut down on heat in the house. It will fit most things, including a pizza. I don’t currently have a working outdoor grill, but do have a panini and electric grill pan I could set up in garage too. Also, still trying to be at least kinda low carb. And spicy is not my friend.

My problem is my brain is drawing a blank after tacos. I blame the car accident tbi, but it could just be me getting old, lol. The internet wants to give me fancy got to go get special ingredients meals when I just want easy, quick, simple and delicious.

So what are your go to, it’s hot summer meals?
 
Snack: I just bought this as a cool snack after our group weeded the extension center gardens. Also brought a tubful to the tire shop that replaced my battery without an appointment.

Watermelon sticks soaked in mojito juice:
Simple syrup (1:1 ratio) I used 1 Cup of each
1 C packed fresh sweet mint
juice from limes or lemons

Boil simple syrup for 5 minutes. Add mint, push down into hot liquid and let sit until room temperature or cooler. Add citrus juice to personal taste. I used a couple of limes and 1 lemon. If it's just for you, you can always add some rum.

Sticks:
Cut seedless watermelon in half at equator. Set cut surface down.
Cut grid about 1" to 1.5" (cut down to board, then turn 90 degrees and cut again.

Macerate melon sticks.

 
Lately, I have been enjoying Taylor Farms Mango Lemonade Chopped Salad Kit.
Comes with Romaine & radicchio lettuces, mango lemonade dressing, dried mango pieces and bread crumbs with almonds.

It's cold, it's fast and I can eat the entire package for 270 calories (although they say this serves three they obviously have not met me.)
Also, there is no raw kale in this. I like kale...but I like it when it has been crushed...not tough.

You do need to check the expiry date. If it is close, the lettuce will have started to brown.

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I bake a batch of chicken drumsticks and eat them over a few days with potato salad. All of which requires turning on some heat at some point, but then it's over, and can be done at night when it's cooler. Not exciting, but all good.

I just refilled my supply of peach vinegar and am loving fruit in my salads these days.
 
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Sounds yummy! However, I’m finding that when we are working (cleaning garage, downsizing everything, moving/packing boxes) salads don’t have enough “stick to your ribs” food to go the distance. We ended up ravenous by the next meal. Of course, this is probably not the time for me to be basically off sugar and not eating pasta and carbs of that sort, and even though I don’t seem to be losing anymore, I don’t wanna gain the 20 lbs back either (and our morning bagels were making my weight creep back up). So, while we probably could eat tacos at every meal and be happy, I’m befuddled I can’t think of a better plan. I’m thinking maybe some chicken salad or club sandwiches for lunch. Deviled eggs and shrimp w cocktail sauce as snacks, last time I had cut veggies we never ate, but I’m kinda stuck on main, stick with you meal ideas. Enchiladas might be one as I can cook in the garage oven, but why is my brain stuck on Mexican food?!
 
With regular bagged salads, I always add a bag of lemon tuna and hard boiled eggs for the protein. I keep both in the refrigerator just for that.
 
Make up a bunch of the Acropolis salad and add to it --chicken, shrimp, salmon (quickly sauteed in hot pan)
And I think you are right about the low carbing--if you have some baguette dipped in oil from a salad it won't heed your goal. It doesn't happen in a day!

Have I missed that you are moving/downsizing and needing to divide packing time with cooking time.. Baking a few chicken breasts on the bone will give you some menu possibilities=make the chicken salad, eat a breast for dinner, other cut up chicken things. Or even a roast whole chicken from the super!!
 
mariadnoca said:
I’m finding bag o’salads aren’t cutting it when doing a lot of semi heavy work around the house. Hopefully quick (in that if I sit down/stop working too long I won’t get up again vein) and yes, the hvac system died (long story, but likely not fixed soon). FYI, I do have a counter top oven in the garage to cut down on heat in the house. It will fit most things, including a pizza. I don’t currently have a working outdoor grill, but do have a panini and electric grill pan I could set up in garage too. Also, still trying to be at least kinda low carb. And spicy is not my friend.

My problem is my brain is drawing a blank after tacos. I blame the car accident tbi, but it could just be me getting old, lol. The internet wants to give me fancy got to go get special ingredients meals when I just want easy, quick, simple and delicious.

So what are your go to, it’s hot summer meals?
Click to expand...
This is on my to-try list from CI: could halve easily.

Cucumber Salad with Smoked Salmon and Capers

Serves 4 to 6
TIME: 25 minutes
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

For a fresh, vegetable-forward take on a classic brunch staple, we combined the elements of one of our favorite loaded bagels—smoked salmon, cucumber, red onion, capers, and lemon—into a hearty salad. In lieu of hefty, rich cream cheese, we made a tangy, spoonable sour cream–based dressing. We didn't overlook the bagel completely; here, bagel chips stood in for croutons, and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning made for a playful finish.

Cucumber Salad with Smoked Salmon and Capers

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup chopped fresh dill, divided

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and minced

3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided

½ teaspoon table salt, divided

¼ teaspoon pepper, divided

1½ English cucumbers, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise ¼ inch thick (4 cups)

8 ounces sliced smoked salmon, torn into 1- to 2-inch pieces

1 small red onion, quartered and sliced thin

3 tablespoons sour cream

3 ounces bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces (1½ cups)

1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning

*BEFORE YOU BEGIN

If you can't find everything bagel seasoning, you can make your own using our recipe.
1

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk 2 tablespoons dill, oil, capers, 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper together in large bowl. Add cucumbers, salmon, and onion and gently toss to combine; let sit for 5 minutes.
2

Whisk sour cream, remaining 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining ⅛ teaspoon pepper together in small bowl.
3

Add bagel chips to cucumber mixture and toss to combine. Transfer salad to serving platter. Drizzle with sour cream mixture and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning and remaining 2 tablespoons dill. Serve.
 
Marg CDN said:
ooh and I love chicken caesars
Click to expand...

I do too. We had it last time, but salads, even with added protein didn’t seem to be filling enough and “stick to our ribs” enough to power through working till our next meal. Sweaty and exhausting work! There are huge swaths of the garage yet to be dealt with. The garage is California’s equivalent to a basement. Not the mention all ddh tools, etc. boxes and boxes. Boxes of mom’s stuff, etc.
 
When Phoenix heats up for the summer, we LOVE a nice, cool, gazpacho for a meal with a lot of delicious veggies. You can use V-8 and tomato juice (or Clamato) as a base and mix with some beef broth. Add your favorite summer veggies (cukes, zucchini, red onion, tomatoes, garlic, green peppers, etc.) and top it with some creamy greek (or french) feta cheese. Good stuff!
 
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