Ideas for Hot Weather dinner prep?

[hands&fire pottery]

With no grill, our dinners have gotten pretty unexciting on these hot summer days. Any ideas for something enjoyable for a summer no cook or minimal cook meal?
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Kristin, SAHM to an amazing four year old, and a giggling 9 month old

[jenncatsmeow]

Do you have a crockpot?

We cook in ours, plugged in outside on the deck....

BBQ, Pork/Saurkraut, Chili, Soups/Stews, etc.

There are a lot of crockpot recipes floating around out there.
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Jennifer--wife to Bobby (5/09), mom to Lorynne (6/05), Nolyn (7/09), & Loghyn (1/12), 2 cats, & 1 dog

The Cat's Meow on Hyena Cart | Etsy | Facebook | Ravelry

[hands&fire pottery]

I totally should do that- I have some pork in the freezer- BBQ sounds great. Thanks!

(Looking at your location- you live where I used to be a summer camp counselor- did you ever hear of Camp Mosey Wood? )
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Kristin, SAHM to an amazing four year old, and a giggling 9 month old

[jumpmama]

I like cooking some chicken breast in a pan and storing it in the fridge. Pull it out for sandwiches, chicken ceasar salads, wraps etc. or even just boil noodles, throw some tomato sauce in there and chuck in the chicken.
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erica.loving my kidos.K{july.11.07}.T{june.21.09}.and L{december.17.11}

[mimiw]

One of our favorites is pasta with asparagus and tomatoes. It is super easy too - boil water and throw in noodles. Chop grape tomatoes in half, asparagus into 1" pieces, slice some spring onions, basil and thyme. During the last 2 minutes of pasta cooking, throw in the asparagus. Drain and run noodles/asparagus combo under cool water. Mix with vegetables and toss with italian dressing and the juice of 1 lemon.
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Mimi, mom to Sky (12/24/08) & Olivia (7/3/12)

Love to trade! Try me on yarn and diapers!

[hands&fire pottery]

Great ideas- thanks ladies. That pasta looks delicious.
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Kristin, SAHM to an amazing four year old, and a giggling 9 month old

[ashleykaymay]

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/12/linguine-with-shrimp/ this is a staple here. I know it's not a no cook meal but it cooks fast and it is a very refreshing meal. not too heavy, just enough spice, and great for eating outside.
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Ashley Mama to Evan and Kellen and Wife to Rick
Leaving behind the WAHMhood....but still happy to shop till I drop!

[junko]

There are so many things you can do with a rotisserie chicken! katie made the most amazing lettuce wraps the other day.

http://mobilelink.womansday.com/Recipes/Asian-Chicken-Salad-Lettuce-Cups-Recipe
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~June

WAHM to J & K (6/29/95)

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[littleknittles]

i cook a buttload of chicken one day and then make a whole slew of non-cooking stuff for a while after that. chicken salad, lettuce wraps, caesar salad topped w/chicken, quesadillas (that takes a bit of cooking), sandwiches on rustic bread, etc
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Michele

currently on hiatus from...fun.

[Ali]

I keep canned chicken in the pantry and just warm it slightly in the microwave, toss it with BBQ, and make "pulled" chicken sandwiches. Pretty easy. Other than that, lots of whatever everyone else has already said.
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Ali, mama to my amazing Arabella 1/14/06
and my new sweetie Judah 4/8/11

[hands&fire pottery]

I love cooking with shrimp but it is not a hit with my family sadly. I would love to try that recipe though... maybe when it's just me.

I have never actually tried lettuce wraps- they have always sounded good, so thanks for the recipe!

Thanks so much for all the responses on this thread... makes me feel a little more positive about summer food prep.
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Kristin, SAHM to an amazing four year old, and a giggling 9 month old

[diggin]

i just drink a beer, liquid bread

eeehhh, the kids are in preschool / school / summer care for the midday meal and they are given something warm then. in the evening we do cold meals of open faced sandwiches (bread) with coldcuts for the meat eaters (the man/boys), cheese, fruit and veggie plates.

we also do green salads and simple salads of canned corn or canned mixed beans with simple vinegar and oil for the dressing. yoghurt dips for veggies is also a big hit here. tomato and mozarella or tomato-cucumber-feta-olive greek salad. i honestly try to cook as little as possible in the summer when it happens to get hot. last year it never got hot, this summer is going to be another hot one for us. pasta salad is great, too, and you can cook the noodles early morning when it is still cool and then it has the whole day to set in the fridge.
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my name is bond, my name is bond. james bond, james bond
a.k.a. michi -- mama to 4 dingle dangles: jago 10, lodei 9 solen 7, my baby anoki is 6
no longer selling as my b&m business keeps me more than busy