Anyone have a Go-to Meal for when it's too hot to cook?

[Tania]

So here it is the middle of May and all of a sudden, out of the blue......it's supposed to be 90 degrees here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Monday we had a high of MAYBE 60 degrees and by Thursday....BAM! 90! So just curious if anyone has a special, go-to recipe for those nights where it is just too dang hot to turn on the stove or oven? I decided tonight to give DH the option of either Crab Salad Sammies or Chili Dogs......

[Ashley Housing]

Okay, I'm blind, I just realized that there already is a cooking group or forum or whatever it's called! I'll have to join that now too! :o)
but, not tonight, it's late and I see I'm the only one left on here! haa haaa. Goodnight!

[Jennifer Grant]

You rock Ash...thanks for all the good recipes!!!! I'm SO making the pear/meat recipe above!

We need to look up some cool "put in foil and toss in the campfire" recipes so we can make a gourmet meal for both families down by the river at your house! Dan and I could also load up his new briquette smoker/bbq thing and bring it down there!

Heck, with Amie and Tania here local too and all the hubby's bein rednecks, we could have a good ole time!!! :) ***disclaimer: tania just started the baby thing, so we can cringe while we watch her chase her 2 year old--WAIT--our kids are old enough to chase Macy for us!!!

[Tania]

I'm lovin' the big kids helping chase the little kids thing! Woo Hoo! I paid Jessika to do that at Megan's birthday party last weekend at Pizza King. She couldn't believe how fast Macy could go! Will be nice to have at least one stationary for awhile! Guess THAT is how I will lose the baby weight this time!

[Jennifer Grant]

You know it girl! Didn't think about it after having my second, but I was quite a bit trimmer after him than Jake--hhhmmmm...nice!

[Ashley Housing]

Sounds good!!

[Marilynne]

I made up a crunchy salad to go with Asian type foods (Oriental food doesn't have many salad type sidedishes) and it mades a great light lunch. I will try to break it down for 2 plates full.
Shred about 1 cup of iceburg lettuce and 2 cups of Napa cabbage finely.
1/2 C. scallions, cut on the diagonal. (or white onions cut in fine slivers)
1/2 C. celery, cut on the diagonal
1 Can Mandarin oranges, drained (save some juice for dressing)
1 Can water chestnuts, drained and sliced into slivers.
(to make this more of a meal, add grilled or rotis. chicken cut into chunks)
Dressing:
Rice wine vinigar, salad oil, a splash of the mandarin juice, fresh grated ginger, salt, pinch of red pepper flakes, dash of soy sauce, a dash of sugar to taste.
This is best when all tossed together before plating (arrange chicken on top).
Sorry, I don't measure much, so you will have to guess at the dressing measurements and adjust to your taste.

[Jennifer Grant]

Yum Yum and yay no gluten!!! :) I'm going to make this on our next warm day-- and ps...that cast iron pot i got made the BEST flavored roast ever!!! Can't wait to cook for you in it!

[Paige]

Do you have a crock pot? Here in GA where it is hot ALL THE time I love to use my crock pot. I will sometimes just throw chicken breasts or legs in with BBQ and an onion and let it cook like that all day. Then we will eat a salad with it.