| Cooking in the summer can provide a unique | | | | sides such as coleslaw or any of the ideas |
| challenge. In the winter, turning a cold | | | | above. |
| kitchen in to a warm and cozy place is a | | | | |
| benefit of cooking. In the summer, turning | | | | The traditional American answer to keeping |
| that same kitchen into a sweltering inferno | | | | the summer cool is to grill outside. |
| is not. With a little forethought this can be | | | | Virtually anything can be grilled outside, |
| avoided. | | | | from corn to cucumbers to beef and vegetarian |
| | | | hotdogs. This flexibility can be combined |
| Gazpacho a Portuguese and Spanish soup made | | | | with any of the other ideas above to make a |
| from stale bread, garlic olive oil, salt, | | | | complete meal. |
| vinegar and vegetables doesn't need any | | | | |
| cooking and has undergone many changes since | | | | A crock-pot can also be cook meats without |
| its inception. Modern gazpacho includes a | | | | heating up the rest of the kitchen as much as |
| tomato base and a wider range of vegetables. | | | | a traditional stove. Prepared the night |
| It can be easily made with a food processor | | | | before and left to cook on its own without |
| and stored beforehand in a refrigerator. | | | | much attention, the crock-pot not only keeps |
| | | | the kitchen cool, but allows the chef to work |
| Ceviche is a Peruvian seafood salad marinated | | | | on other parts of meal preparation, or |
| in citrus. Traditionally made from raw fish, | | | | enjoying the summer weather. |
| onions with lime or lemon juice, modern | | | | |
| variations include using a tomato sauce or | | | | Salads also offer a wealth of options for |
| ketchup. In its original form, it can be | | | | summer meals. Using lettuce as a base, the |
| adapted to most tastes by using a wide | | | | options of what you can put on a salad are |
| variety of fish - you should check with your | | | | limitless, from common vegetables such as |
| local fishmonger to make sure the quality is | | | | tomatoes, onions and carrots to fruit, nuts |
| good enough that it can be eaten raw - and | | | | and diced meats and hardboiled eggs, salads |
| cold vegetables. The citrus juice is there to | | | | are not only an effective way to prepare a |
| allow it to be served at room temperature | | | | summer meal without heating up the kitchen, |
| without risk of immediate bacterial growth. | | | | but can also be used to help clean out |
| | | | leftovers. |
| Pickled cucumbers and beats can be prepared | | | | |
| the night before, ranging from simply placing | | | | For the more exotic among you, looking up |
| julienne vegetables in vinegar to more | | | | Asian or Mediterranean cuisine online or at |
| complex and elaborate preparations that | | | | your local bookstore will provide a wide |
| include chili oil and sugar, this idea allows | | | | range of inspiration. Using rice paper |
| for a wide variety based on what you have | | | | wrappers, traditionally hot serve food can be |
| available. | | | | served cold. |
| | | | |
| Likewise, sandwiches are easy to prepare | | | | Whether you're seeking the traditional or the |
| without heating the kitchen, using coldcuts | | | | exotic, summer cooking doesn't have to |
| and already cooked meats and vegetables, they | | | | revolve around turning your kitchen into an |
| can be quickly prepared to suit individual | | | | inferno. |
| pallets and served with a wide variety of | | | | |