I'm melting... melting...

[Gail]

All right. So, I'm being a little melodramatic... Nonetheless it is HOT here--even at midnight as I type. Too hot to do much in the way of cooking, too hot to move more than absolutely necessary. But alas, the human body requires sustenance.

I've scoured the archives but can't seem to come up with anything other than cool desserts. So I'm putting the question to you folks: what do YOU prepare for dinner when it's too darn hot!

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 09-14-2000).]

[Ed]

Gail,

It has been very hot and humid here this summer at times, and when that happens I usually cook something kind of like a picnic on the grill.

I like it simple, so here's what I will do when it's really hot and I don't want to mess arond in the kitchen too much.

I peel some ear corn, brush each ear with Olive Oil and put on the seasoning, (Just some pepper is all I like and I let the rest put on salt if they want when they're going to eat it). I wrap the ears in heavy duty foil, (make a package out of it, I suppose a foil bag will work)

Then I make some Hamburger patties and season them and lay them flat on some HD foil that I 1st coat with some olive oil. I lay those patties side by side and wrap them in the foil. (there again I suppose a foil bag would work, but I always forget to buy them)

Then I will take some Red & Yellow bell peppers cut them up into strips,(not to thin) put a little olive oil on them and wrap them in foil.

So now I have 3 foil packages, sometimes more if someone puts in a special request for something else, like potatoes. ( prepare them the same way, I cut them into wedges coat'em with olive oil and make a foil package of them for the grill).

Anyway, I cook the corn about 15 to 20 minutes, the peppers about 10 to 12 minutes and the Beef about 15 to 20 minutes. ( I always want those burgers kind of well done, especially if they're stuffed burgers) I turn the packages over about 1/2 way through the time. I cook them on low heat direct method on my old gas Webber.

It works real well and it's easy to do and to clean up, I'm a big believer in disposable plates whenever I can get away with it.

I use the light olive oil for sauteing and baking on these things, and I use olive oil because someone told me it's healthier than butter & the like. So I use olive oil when I can)

A supper in the shade on a hot day and a cold beverage is pretty good.

Hope this idea is something you can use.

Ed

[Mamasue]

Order out or put the AC on in the kitchen. Hehe. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[MrsReber]

Ah, but actually going out to dinner is the best! No clean up involved! We will grill out when it's too hot. I like to cut up zucchini, eggplant, vidalia onions, and peppers (any color you like) and put them in a foil bag with good seasons zesty Italian dressing mix- usually just in powdered form as the veggies make lots of liquid in the bag when the cook (and it's very low fat/low cal!). Then we'll have some burgers, a steak, a hamsteak or chicken with some bbq sauce. We also do corn on the grill, but we just leave it in the husk. I prefer my corn with nothing on it since I can get very very sweet white corn nearby.

OR- I will just suffer for a wee bit and make some pasta. This doesn't usually take too long anyhow. Fresh veggies with olive oil and a little wine or just a jar of (yikes!) pre-made sauce.

When we were younger, my mom would would have a "picnic" with us. We'd spread a tablecloth on the dining room rug (we didn't have a table in there) and eat cheese and crackers and she'd make a big tuna salad or salmon salad (with canned salmon). We used to love doing that. Hope it cools off for you soon! It's been pretty cool here all summer- today is absolutely beautiful!

[marys]

Gazpacho! Actually, my husband is the gazpacho expert in the family. The prep work might be a bit annoying in the heat, but when you take it out of the fridge it just hits the spot. It's so refreshing. We like to serve it with grilled tuna.

[mightyh]

Sometimes I make this salad--it's really light and refreshing on hot days... The combination is great together.

lettuce
strawberries
raisins
crab meat (or imitation)
mandarin oranges
sunflower seeds
poppy seed dressing

[lorilei]

Well, Gail, how lazy would you like to be? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I also do pasta salads when it's hot out. I stay away from the pot while the water boils, cool the noodles quickly and keep a fan handy in the kitchen. A nice balsamic vinegar/garlic dressing is an excellent base. I often add crab, olives, peppers and tomatoes.

Grilling is an option, but I hate slaving over the grill heat as well. So, I avoid it on hot days.

If I'm really desparate, I'll be creative with salads. Seafood, greens and simple dressing. Sometimes I'll have leftover tuna or salmon in the fridge which I'll use. Meatless taco salad is a good option (I'll admit I'm a fan of cold refried beans, so they'll usually show up on my salad). With lots of chiles and sour cream!

Oh -- and don't forget the wine. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[Vanessa]

When its hot and humid I will go for salads or grill something. I will do the corn in the microwave as it takes 5 mins for 2 corns unpeeled. a grren salad, some chicken or steak on the grill & a nice cold lemonade or wine.
If its not too bad in the morning I will make a chicken salad for dinner. But @ this time since we know Old Man Winter will be coming we sit outside and bear a bit of heat/humidity since we know soon we will be dreaming of the hot days of summer.

[Abby]

We had the hottest August on record here (AR)! The Black Bean Taco Salad was a great meal when it was 110 degrees outside! Thank god the heat has broken (it's only 96 today)!

[Cyn]

I'm with MamaSue. I try to go out for dinner, some nice place with air conditioning since I don't have any. Second choice is salad or any cold leftovers and tall glasses of ice tea.

[kendra]

Hot weather? What's that? We have had the mildest summer here in Ohio. We have only had about 5 days over 90 degrees. Guess we sent all the warm weather someplace else this year. Of course we get this mild weather THIS year when I don't need it - last summer I got married during the hottest July on record in Pennsylvania! Believe it or not, I am sort of envious of your hot weather - it's already fall here and it seems like I missed the summer as I didn't have those dog days of summer to key me in that it was indeed summer and not spring! One of those biological rhythmn cues we missed out on this year - a cue that makes us stop and smell the tomatoes. Anyway, my advice is to celebrate one of those hot sweltering nights by taking a nice leisurely walk down to the closest air-conditioned restaurant and enjoying a frosty margarita! Cheers!

[Wendy w]

Gail,

You are not in the least melodramatic. As a fellow Southern Californian, I can vouch for you, it is sweltering. Everyone has great ideas for hot weather meals. I do salads, and barbeque, and go out as well.

We Californians (and some other states)are blessed to have Trader Joes, and they have many, many great premade meals, including salads. For families and large gatherings, the word is Costco!

[BarbaraL]

Where are you, Gail? Here in New Jersey, it's been a very cool, cloudy summer. Went swimming a total of about 3 times, when usually we live outdoors in the summer! But at least we don't have a drought like last year! Even though I have AC, I grill a lot, especially in summer, but even in winter in the snow (have a built-in gas grill outside). Favorites are London broil or chicken breasts in various marinades (Wishbone's Italian dressing is quick and easy). Also love fajitas (the recipe in the June CL is great, or marinade chicken breasts in lime juice, grill chicken, sliced onions and red peppers on the grill; slice the chicken and serve in tortillas with salsa and sour cream). Also love shrimp marinaded in a soy-sauce marinade cooked (quickly) on the grill on skewers.

[AndreaU]

I'll usually go with salads of some sort. My husband & I love "big salads" with lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, cucumbers, croutons, cheese and sometimes grilled chicken. During the summer, we eat them at least once or twice a week. I'll also whip up a cold Greek pasta salad with orzo, cucumber, tomatoes, Feta, etc. and use it as a main dish with bread on the side. We also like to grill fish (so the heat stays outside...)- salmon is our fish of choice.

[Jeanne G]

Gail,
No one has mentioned my all-time-summer favorite! Cottage cheese and
tomatoes. It's perfect for hot weather. And recently I threw together one
of those tomato, basil, mozzarella & onion salads with a little FF Italian
and a splash of Wishbone Balsamic Vinaigrette (it's one of my favorites).
That makes a yummy salad that's good over greens or on cottage cheese.
And then there's the traditional (at least in my home growing up) BLT. I
use turkey bacon cooked in the microwave and it lasts a while in the fridge.
I like Kendra's margarita suggestion too! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Although Kendra, where in
Yellowsprings do you go for margaritas? Let me know 'cuz we're going Oct
28! What a beautiful place to be!!

[BevP]

Ice cream and a vitamin are a very healthy dinner if it's too hot out!! LOL

[SandyDee]

Bevp, I'll come to your house for dinner anytime. That dinner would work just fine for me!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/cool.gif

[Beth]

Careful Kendra and Barbara: we had a mild summer last year, but have broken all the high temp records this year -- even the hottest ever recorded here. I'm in TX, and we just spent a week with 108-110 and hadn't had a drop of rain for months. Finally had some rain this week, and if that storm in the Gulf of Mexico brings us some more, all the better. I just hope the winds aren't too strong (there are a lot of dead trees that will fall). I empathize, Gail, but we're not melting here...we've been roasting!

For eating, we've been grilling, making quick pastas, quesadillas, salads. Some nights, I'd go for the ice cream, but can't do that for the kids (reminds me of college years when I had instant breakfast with a little ice cream for breakfast or lunch). If even scooping is too much effort, I can pour a bowl of cereal and cold milk. Oh, the frozen grapes are nice to pull out of the freezer too. Made some nice sangria last week also. Best sipped under the breeze of a fan with feet propped up.

[andi]

I can relate to that heat issue! They had to let the kids out early from school due to the heat last week. We finally got some relief from the heat (and drought-no rain in three weeks) though. While it was so darned hot here we also did lots of stuff on the grill. The Molasses Barbecued Chicken was really a hit (I think it was in the last issue).
Mrs. Reber, I love your picnic idea! I may have to just try that myself with the little ones!

[KristaMB]

I had Cheerios last night for dinner because it was too hot to move! Tonight? An English muffin sandwich...

[Gail]

Poor Krista!
So, the heat has traveled that far south, eh? Maybe you should try Bev's ice cream dinner http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Although I suspect it's probably still uncomfortable inland, we're at the beach and thanks to the return of ocean breezes and a bit of fog, things have become bearable again.

Thanks to everyone for their interesting insights as to how to "eat cool." Up until now, my warm weather staples have customarily been shrimp salad and crusty sourdough, or cold chicken cutlets and potato salad, or sautéed mushrooms in garlic and wine served with a caesar salad and crusty bread. Now I've got a few more ideas to keep in the back of my mind, next time a heat wave strikes.

Here's hoping some of those lovely breezes reach Orange Country and Escondido if they already haven't by now! (and continue on to the rest of you in points east and south...)

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 09-16-2000).]

[KristaMB]

Gail,

Thanks for your cool weather wishes! It's 106 here right now, so I decided to make the electric company happy. I finally broke down and turned on the AC. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[Gail]

Originally posted by KristaMB:
Gail,

Thanks for your cool weather wishes! It's 106 here right now, so I decided to make the electric company happy. I finally broke down and turned on the AC. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

Whew! You folks are cooking. But, at least you have air-conditioning. Take it easy and enjoy that English muffin sandwich.

[Beth]

Suprise! We got an early cold fron and were down to the mid 60s this morning. It was warm this afternoon, but were supposed to get into the 50s tonight. That's unusual for the Gulf Coast, but it sure feels good after those 110s! Here's hoping Gail and Krista get a break too.

[kendra]

Jeanne,
I have to admit that we just moved to Yellow Springs in June, so I actually haven't done that walk for margaritas here, but did it many times last summer in sweltering Chicago. I think one of the best places for margaritas would be Peaches restaurant and beer drive thru. For the best food in YS, go to the Winds Cafe (see www.windscafe.com) (http://www.windscafe.com)) - it is a bit pricey but worth the splurge. For casual food and beer, I'd recommend Ye Olde Towne Taverne - especially on cold nights when they have the fireplace going in the old log cabin area. Any more advice, you can email me directly. KC

[food girl]

I am always surprised at how many people (and magazines) suggest grilling out when it is hot. I mean, the last thing I want to do when it is hot is fool with FIRE.

Grilling in the summer also means that I must douse my body in DDT to keep the monster mosquitos away.

My biggest beef with the grill...your hair smells like your dinner.

Anyway, when it is hot I like fruit and marinated veggie salads.

[CATHIEA]

When it's hot, it's time for what we call SUPER SALAD. I make hard boiled eggs in my egg cooker before I go to work in the morning and I put a can of garbanzo beans or canellini beans in the fridge, so they are nice and cold when I get home. Toss the beans and eggs with a lemon or lime vinegarette and add to greens with some salami, ham or chicken (whatever we have for sandwhiches), some cheese and every fresh veg in the house. Serve with nice fresh Italian or a baguette. Another thing I do when its swealtering is to buy a cooked chicken from the deli and serve with homemade coleslaw, sliced tomatoes and hard rolls (I need my carb) and a nice cold glass of chardonnay.
CathieA

[Gail]

Originally posted by food girl:
My biggest beef with the grill...your hair smells like your dinner.



OK. So, I've got garlic on my hands and onion on my breath. What's a little churrasco-tinged hair, I figure... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Wendy w]

Krista,
I would like to extend my condolences to you for being a customer of San Diego Gas and Electric. I hope that it will not take you until next September to pay this month's bill!

I went to the Wild Animal Park a few weeks ago and am thankful that I went when it was cooler! Hang in there, the weather should cool down soon!

Wendy

[AndreaU]

The only reason to suggest grilling on a hot day is that the heat stays outside, not in your kitchen! No need to heat up any indoor appliances.

[LauraEllen]

Okay - last week I read Gail's post and my only thought was "wow, it sure is hot down in the southern part of the state." Up here, north of San Francisco it was overcast (even a little rain) sort of warm and muggy, but not at all hot.

Now things are a little different. Saturday was in the 90's, Sunday was hotter. By yesterday it was 104. Now I find I am going back to all of those "hot weather recipes" to get some ideas. I hope you SoCal folks are cooler now.

[Beth]

Too bad the summer movies haven't offered more reasons for hiding out in the cold and dark. But then, I was in a doctor's office today, and it was almost a meat locker. Can't recommend that route to staying cool though. Eat more watermelon!

[jmkenad]

We've had some hot days in Aug. here in Chicago - I believe that they are now gone though (I swear it's about 40 degrees right now). I used my Foreman (indoor) grill quite a few times during this past summer. It's quick and easy and doesn't heat up your house. We also had many chicken caesar salads - sometimes I would grill chicken on the Foreman grill however once my husband brought home a broasted chicken half premade from the grocery store which we shredded on the salad. I'm with you - I hate to cook on those 90+ days (I'm glad they've passed us by for a while!) Hopefully you will be cool soon!