Blissful 2026 everybody! I’m taking depart till the top of the January, however popping in briefly to share a summer time particular recipe round-up. These are the recipes I make when it’s too scorching to cook dinner!!
* Sorry Northern hemisphere, I do know these are the final recipes in your thoughts – however take a look by way of my value Winter Heaters!
What I make when it’s too scorching to cook dinner
I do know I’m utterly biased – however there’s nothing like an Aussie summer time!! However when the climate is that this scorching and sticky, all I would like is meals that delivers most flavour with minimal range time.
So right here’s my listing of recipes I’ve made again and again the previous few summers, when it’s simply too scorching to cook dinner! Largely or utterly no-cook, these are quick, contemporary, low-effort, huge flavours. Assume past the salad! Rooster Banh Mi, anybody? 😋
Heads up – it’s heavy on Asian meals. Asians know find out how to make nice scorching climate meals!!!
1. brushchetta pasta salad
This tops the listing as a result of a neighborhood I met whereas strolling Dozer talked about it was precisely what she was making for dinner that night time – summer time simplicity at its finest!
2. Rooster banh mi
I’m going to name it – that is the best and finest use of a shop-bought roast chook. Ever!!
3. PEANUT NOODLES
This has been a summer time staple since I first posted it nearly a decade in the past! Retains for days – glorious work lunch or taking to picnics.
4. THAI BEEF SALAD
*And she or he pops the components on her listing to make for her pool occasion tomorrow – 40C forecast!! ☀️*
5. gazpacho!!
Cynical a couple of chilly uncooked soup?? I WAS TOO however JB modified my thoughts! That is his recipe and it’s so, SO good. Refreshing however not boring. Marinating the veg is vital!
6. inexperienced ginger rice noodles
Primarily, that is the Ginger Scallion Sauce from Hainanese hen, used as an “Asian Pesto”. You already know it’s gonna be good!! 🙂
7. vietnamese rice paper rolls – prawn
100% no cook dinner! That peanut dipping sauce is every thing. 🙂
PS Scorching tip: Do a DIY state of affairs. Simply lay every thing out and let folks make their very own rolls, together with dipping the rice paper into water. It’s a serving format at Vietnamese eating places!
8. lemongrass hen rice paper rolls
This one does require a couple of minutes in entrance of the range to cook dinner up the hen, however I’m sliding this in as a result of the marinade for the hen is soooo gooood!!!
9. ANTIPASTO CHICKPEA SALAD
I really like that this salad is filling, punchy flavoured – but requires little extra effort than opening a bunch of cans!
10. BRUSCHETTA!
Tip – don’t hold your tomatoes within the fridge. They may ripen so a lot better out on the counter, particularly in summer time! Undoubtedly improves grocery retailer tomatoes (which, right here in Australia, are sadly underwhelming).
PS Please don’t skip rubbing the toast with garlic. It makes ALL the distinction!
11. mediterranean tuna salad
The creamy feta dressing is so good!! Be regular and eat it in bowls, or elevate it by stuffing in pita pockets!
12. vietnamese lettuce wraps – no cook dinner!!
The low-carb model of rice paper rolls. Use cooked prawns or hen so that you don’t should activate the range! All people loves the peanut dipping sauce. 🙂
13. CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
It’s a macaroni pasta salad – plus hen! For those who’re anti-mayo (I get it), make it with a creamy yogurt-based salad dressing – strive the creamy Ranch or Potato Salad dressing in from this publish.
14. creamy avocado dressing – hen pasta salad
Talking of no-mayo, this one has been a success with buddies! It’s made utilizing a creamy avocado dressing, so we’re speaking mega good-for-you avocado flavour right here. The bottom recipe does name for a little bit of mayo however so many readers have used the yogurt various!
15. ceviche!
How might I overlook ceviche!!! I really like making it with kingfish however any uncooked sashimi-grade fish will work right here.
Serve with corn chips for scooping – spoons not allowed! Get pleasure from as a summer time meal or as an appetiser. Typically I serve it on spherical corn chips as finger meals.
16. beef tataki
OK, I do know you’re going to level out that this requires the oven BUT hear me out! I’m throwing this in as a result of it’s such an amazing summer time dish as a result of it’s served chilly. You may cook dinner the meat when it fits then refrigerate it till required – even the following day or the following!
No must fry the potato both – simply purchase a packet of French Fries (ie the crispy potato straws from the chip aisle, not frozen raw) or scatter the entire thing with shop-bought crispy Asian Shallots!
Full your meat with Asian Slaw or my copycat Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw (I really like this soooo a lot!).
17. poke bowl
If you may get your fingers on sashimi-grade fish, that’s the basic protein choice for Poke Bowls. Having stated that, I made this with canned tuna the opposite day – the dressing works so properly with it!
You do must steam rice although. Are you able to deal with the warmth? 😊 (PS Or do as Asians do and hold a great deal of rice within the freezer. Sprinkle with water to moisten then reheat.)
18. beetroot cured salmon
Final uncooked fish dish!! That is such an amazing one for entertaining. To make a meal out of it, serve with a pile of crostini or pumpernickel bread, and a no-mayo-slaw on the facet (you should use up the leftover dill from the salmon).
Right here’s a pleasant method to serve it DIY fashion. Spectacular, no?? 🙂
19. THAI PRAWN AND MANGO NOODLE SALAD
It’s the heigh of mango season right here in Australia!!! So I’m going to spherical off the listing with a few meals starring mango. Right here’s one in every of my favorite – a Thai Prawn and Mango Salad. I take advantage of vermicelli noodles as a result of it’s no cook dinner – simply soak. The zesty lime salad dressing is the proper match!
20. prawn, mango and avocado summer time salad
And eventually, a large private favorite! The flavour mixture of candy mango, creamy avocado, chopped prawns (so much less goes additional!) tossed with some chopped inexperienced fluffage with risoni in a garlic lime dressing is simply every thing.
I particularly love that you could eat this with a spoon. 😅
There you go! 20 of my favorite summer time meals that I’ve made usually over the previous few summers. I hope you discover some inspiration on this listing! – Nagi x
Lifetime of Dozer
Dozer in the summertime of 2026 at 13.8 years outdated in his new Endlessly Dwelling!
To be utterly sincere, his place on the pool is a bit divided. He doesn’t just like the going partly – he’s too creaky to handle it himself lately so I’ve to do an attention-grabbing lying-down-sliding-in state of affairs (it’s as awkward because it sounds). As soon as he’s in, he loves it, and can fortunately do some leisurely laps and spend time simply spa-ing (mendacity within the pool). However actually, he’s at his most energetic when he will get out – he simply loves striding across the pool! Asserting his possession, maybe? 🤔
My house really has a reputation. It’s referred to as “Dawn” and since it’s heritage listed, I wasn’t allowed to alter the identify.
However, all people is aware of what this place is actually referred to as. My architects had it printed on a door mat, in case anybody was unsure. 😂 I adore it.
In order that’s Dozer’s summer time in short! Extra quickly after I’m again from depart on the finish of the month! – N x ❤️
** Thanks to everybody who left a message on this publish, sorry for sluggish response! I’m in vacation mode. 🙂 **
