Hot weather recipes
The weather report shows that temperatures are going to hit between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit this Saturday. That, my friends, is hot.
Let’s face it, no one really wants to cook during the summer. But, if it has to be done, we want it to be quick and easy. To me, summertime is synonymous with BBQing and light and refreshing meals. When it’s north of 90 degrees outside and the AC is blasting, the last thing I want to do is crank up the oven. I spend enough money keeping my home at the not-unreasonable temperature of 74 degrees during the summer, so heating the place back up while cooking dinner does not sound appealing. However, that no-oven-required stipulation really limits my options for summer dinner recipes. I also hate standing outside in the heat to grill. Sure, salads make great no-cook dinners, but sometimes you need something a little more substantial.
What you eat when it is extremely hot outside can definitely make a difference in how you feel. On average, a human body obtains 20% of the water it needs from foods eaten during the day. Food can also make you feel hotter or cooler depending on what it is. Spicy foods can increase your body temperature and make you sweat more, which can be uncomfortable in hot weather. Heavy and greasy foods like fried snacks, burgers, and creamy sauces can be difficult to digest, leaving you feeling sluggish and warm. Sugary drinks can cause dehydration and lead to energy crashes, making you feel tired and uncomfortable. While coffee, tea, and energy drinks can be refreshing, they are diuretics and can contribute to dehydration. Alcohol can also dehydrate you and impair your body’s ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. Many processed snacks are high in sodium, which can lead to dehydration and discomfort in the summer heat. Red meat is heavy to digest and can increase body temperature, potentially leading to digestive issues and lethargy.
Grazing is also a good approach to hot weather eating during a heatwave – who honestly feels like sitting down to a full, big meal? Or cooking it? Really hot weather kills your appetite. Sandwiches, chilled soups, salads and dips with a selection of veggies or breads are all winners when the mercury soars. But I think nothing is better than a tomato sandwich on a hot day.
California Roll Wrap
Ingredients
1/2 cup wasabi mayonnaise (or plain mayo)
6 whole wheat tortillas (8 inches), warmed
2 packages (8 ounces each) imitation crabmeat
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups julienned peeled jicama
1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
1 small cucumber, seeded and julienned
3/4 cup bean sprouts
Directions
Divide the wasabi mayonnaise evenly among the 6 tortillas and spread to within 1/2 inch of edges. Layer with crabmeat, avocado, jicama, red pepper, cucumber and bean sprouts. Roll up tightly.
Avocado Tuna Salad lettuce wraps
Ingredients
1 can tuna, drained
½ ripe avocado, mashed
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt, pepper, garlic powder
Butter lettuce leaves
Directions
Mix tuna, avocado, lemon juice, and seasoning.
Spoon into lettuce leaves.
Chill and serve with extra lemon wedges.
Crockpot Sweet and Sour chicken
These freezer and pantry ingredients are good to have on hand for a quick meal.
Ingredients
1 frozen bag (22 oz.) Tyson Grilled & Ready Oven
Roasted Diced Chicken Breast
1 jar (12 oz.) chili sauce
1 jar (18 oz.) Apricot Pineapple Preserves (or just Apricot preserves)
2 cups cooked rice or steamed vegetables, or both (I use microwaveable steam-in-the-bag rice and veggies)
Instructions
Place the frozen chicken into the bowl of a slow cooker. In a separate bowl, mix together the chili sauce and preserves. Pour over the chicken and toss to coat chicken. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours. Serve hot over cooked rice or vegetables, or both.
