Summer in Your Kitchen, Minus the Heat
When the temperature climbs, the last thing you want is to stand over a hot hob. Good news: some of the best summer food needs zero cooking. Here are five easy no-cook recipes to keep you fed and cool all summer.1. Loaded Mediterranean wrap
A fresh, filling lunch you can throw together in minutes and take to the park.
You'll need:
1 large tortilla
A generous spread of hummus
Cucumber, cherry tomatoes and red onion, all chopped
A handful of spinach
Crumbled feta
A squeeze of lemon, plus salt and pepper
Spread the hummus across the tortilla, pile the veg and feta down the middle, finish with lemon and seasoning, then roll it up tight. Keep the filling central so it wraps cleanly, and eat it fresh so it doesn't go soggy.
For a version with chicken and olives, The Forked Spoon has a great Mediterranean wrap recipe.
2. Overnight oats
Breakfast that makes itself while you sleep. Five minutes of effort the night before.
You'll need:
Roughly equal parts rolled oats and milk (or a plant alternative)
A spoon of yoghurt
A drizzle of honey or maple syrup
Berries or sliced banana to top
Stir everything except the toppings together in a jar, pop the lid on, and leave it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, add your fruit and go. A 1:1 oats-to-milk ratio gives you a thick, creamy portion you can loosen with a splash more milk if needed.
Budget Bytes has a reliable base recipe with plenty of flavour variations to keep it interesting.
3. Big summer grain bowl
Filling, fresh, and it keeps well for the next day's lunch too.
You'll need:
A tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Cherry tomatoes, cucumber and sweetcorn
Any leafy greens you have
Olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper
Tip everything into a bowl, dress with olive oil and lemon, season to taste and toss. Add cooked rice or couscous if you want it heartier. It holds up well in the fridge, so make a double batch.
For a no-cook version using ready-cooked grains and a quick lemon dressing, Clean Eating has a confetti chickpea grain bowl.
4. No-cook rice paper rolls
They look impressive and take almost no effort once you get the hang of the rice paper.
You'll need:
Rice paper sheets
Grated carrot and cucumber strips
Fresh herbs like mint or coriander
Cooked prawns or shredded leftover chicken
Sweet chilli sauce for dipping
Soften one rice paper sheet in warm water for a few seconds until pliable, lay it flat, add a small amount of filling near the bottom, fold in the sides and roll up tight. Work one at a time so the sheets don't stick. Dip and enjoy.
For a step-by-step guide with a peanut dipping sauce, Eating Bird Food walks you through fresh shrimp spring rolls.
5. Watermelon and feta salad
The most refreshing thing you'll eat all summer.
You'll need:
Cubed watermelon
Crumbled feta
Fresh mint
Olive oil and a squeeze of lime
A pinch of salt and pepper
Toss the watermelon with the olive oil and lime, fold in the feta and mint, season and serve straight away. Sweet, salty and cooling all at once.
Love and Lemons has a lovely version with cucumber and a tangy lime dressing.
A few warm-weather tips
Keep a jug of water with sliced lemon and cucumber in the fridge for an easy refresh.
Prep ingredients in batches at the start of the week so assembly is quick.
Open a window for a cross-breeze while you eat. A cooler flat makes everything more pleasant.
Stay cool, eat well, enjoy the sunshine.