Home News Oven-free summer dinner ideas August 4, 2022 in News Mid to late-summer is appropriately known as “the dog days of summer” because it can be so doggone hot. The humid, sticky conditions of late summer can make people feel sluggish and looking for ways to cool down. The idea of warming up the house by turning on the oven to cook a meal may be especially unappealing. Recipes that require little to no cooking – and no stove – can be a home cook’s best friend as summer progresses. Here are a few ideas to get started. Grilled paninis Gather some favorite sandwich fixings, such as sliced meats, vegetables and cheeses, and head to the grill. Put ingredients between two slices of crusty bread and place on the grill over low or indirect heat. Weigh down the sandwiches with cast-iron pans to flatten out the sandwiches. Savory salads Cool salads can be refreshing and light on hot summer evenings. Salads can range from tradition lettuceor greens-based salads to pasta salads and chicken or tuna salads. Mix ingredients in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Serve chilled with toppings like shredded cheese, bacon bits and croutons to dress up the salads. Cold buffet Summer is a time to avoid hearty, belly-filling meals. Instead, produce a spread of finger foods, ranging from crackers and cheese to vegetables and dips. Fresh fruit also can accompany buffet-style meals, as can slices of Italian bread and homemade tomato bruschetta. When the weather is hot, think cool, no-fuss meals that keep the stove off but bellies full. Latest Stories Life on the Big Screen August 4, 2022 Unified Showing Showmanship helps empower county youth August 4, 2022 West Nile, the key is prevention August 4, 2022 Some Things Don’t Change August 4, 2022 Back-to-school safety guidlines August 4, 2022 The differences between organic and inorganic mulches August 4, 2022 What kids can do in the face of bullying August 4, 2022 PSC Athletics earns Champions of Character Gold Award August 4, 2022 Peru State football picked to finish third in Heart North preseaon poll August 4, 2022 Loyd Lee Bogle August 4, 2022

Mid to late-summer is appropriately known as “the dog days of summer” because it can be so doggone hot. The humid, sticky conditions of late summer can make people feel sluggish and looking for ways to cool down. The idea of warming up the house by turning on the oven to cook a meal may be especially unappealing.

Recipes that require little to no cooking – and no stove – can be a home cook’s best friend as summer progresses. Here are a few ideas to get started.

Gather some favorite sandwich fixings, such as sliced meats, vegetables and cheeses, and head to the grill. Put ingredients between two slices of crusty bread and place on the grill over low or indirect heat. Weigh down the sandwiches with cast-iron pans to flatten out the sandwiches.

Cool salads can be refreshing and light on hot summer evenings. Salads can range from tradition lettuceor greens-based salads to pasta salads and chicken or tuna salads. Mix ingredients in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Serve chilled with toppings like shredded cheese, bacon bits and croutons to dress up the salads.

Summer is a time to avoid hearty, belly-filling meals. Instead, produce a spread of finger foods, ranging from crackers and cheese to vegetables and dips. Fresh fruit also can accompany buffet-style meals, as can slices of Italian bread and homemade tomato bruschetta.

When the weather is hot, think cool, no-fuss meals that keep the stove off but bellies full.