ISO: ISO - your favorite dinners for hot summer evenings...

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heather_in_sf

Well-known member
What do you like to have for dinner in the summer when it's really hot and you've run out of ideas?

I'm leaving tonight for a weekend away in a warm place and would love your favorites. Nice to have some warm weather though, it's 62 in SF today and very foggy.

Thanks in advance!

 
sandwhiches with maybe coleslaw or potato salad on the side. if I'm really out of...

inspiration, reservations or take out.

 
Couscous Salads and Pasta Salads. I love "Curried Couscous Salad with Dried Cranberries"....

Will post if you're interested.

edit: Bean Salads are also good.

 
Cold shrimp anything. Current favorite is Cajun shrimp. rec up in T&T appetizers.

Cold Thai or Sesame noodles.
Vietnamese chicken noodle salad.
Crusty bread/cheese/marinated veggies/wine indoor picnic.
Frittata dinner, made on stovetop not oven with lively tomato salad.
Oh, and the crockpot comes out!

 
Here ya go, Heather...

Note: Pat-NoCal made this recently and instead of the 1 Tbsp orange juice concentrate plus 2 Tbsp water for the dresssing, she just used 3 Tbsp fresh orange juice. So, feel free to use whichever one you have available.

CURRIED COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES

INGREDIENTS:

Salad:
1 1/2 cups uncooked couscous (10 oz box) (I use whole wheat couscous)
1 cup dried cranberries (4 oz)
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed (I use about 1 1/2 cups)
2/3 tsp curry powder (or to taste) (I use a little more than 1 tsp)
2 cups boiling water
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions/scallions (around 2)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
1 15 1/2 oz can chickpeas/garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained (I use a little less, about 3/4 can)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
(Sometimes I add a few small shakes of cinnamon)

Dressing:
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 1/2 lemons)
1 Tbsp grated orange peel (about 1 - 1 1/2 oranges)
2 Tbsp water
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil (I use extra virgin)
1 Tbsp thawed frozen orange juice concentrate (I use a little more frozen orange juice concentrate, to taste, OR I use some fresh orange juice, to taste, in addition to the concentrate)
1/3 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 medium - medium/large garlic cloves, crushed

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine couscous, cranberries, green peas, and curry powder in large bowl.
2. Pour 2 cups boiling water over couscous mixture.
3. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
4. Stir in green onions, basil, and chickpeas.

DRESSING:
1. Combine lemon juice and remaining ingredients in jar, cover tightly and shake vigorously.
2. Strain out garlic pieces.
3. Pour over couscous and mix thoroughly. Mix in salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or until cold. It's important to leave it in the refrigerator at lease one hour, so the flavors can blend. (I usually chill it about 4 - 5 hours).
5. Serve cold.

Adapted from Cooking Light

 
This is a tasty salad and easy to make. Took it to a picnic in the wine country last weekend where

it was over 100 degrees. It was a nice break from mayonnaise-based salads.

 
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