Summer Meal Ideas?

[nickylanena]

I am fairly new to cooking and only know how to cook a few meals, so far (i.e. chili, beef stew, lasagna, pan-fried fish). I am excited to expand my culinary skills, but I don't have any idea of what to cook. Thankfully, I'm not picky when it comes to food and I don't have any allergies.

What are some foods that you all recommend to cook during the summer?

[linderlizzie]

You should go out and buy a copy of the Joy of Cooking or watch some tv cooking shows to get ideas.

I just make cold salads if it's really hot. I make a mean potato salad. Cold pasta salad can have all kinds of yummy summer ingredients in it. Green salads are nutritious and refreshing when it's hot out. Have you tried salmon patties or crab cakes?

We all gotta start somewhere. I can remember some bad stuff I made when I first started cooking, but if you keep trying you get pretty darn good.

Actually I cook whatever I feel like cooking so I don't have any special hot weather fare.

 

[heypeg]

In the summer I love to grill out.

[Nancy5]

We grill a lot in summer.  Just Google for recipes, there are lots of different ideas.  Good luck!

[jkhanson]

I like salads, BLT sandwiches, kabobs, and anything on the grill.

[santa7]

I only know a few things to cook too.  I try a new recipe here and there.  I too want to expand in my knowledge of cooking.

[sherryinutah]

I'm not usually ambitious enough to cook in the summer time.  I'll put orange juice, blueberries and spinach in the blender to make a smoothie. 

Tonight I decided to mix some plain greek nonfat yogurt with organic pure maple syrup and almonds.  All 3 of those ingredients are alkaline so they have a tendency to balance body chemistry.

I think these things through where I make sure I'm getting my vitamins, as well.   

[sfreeman8]

I make a lot of green salads, steak salad, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, tacos, taco salad, and foods in the crock pot or air fryer. Also use seafood salad on greens. We can't have potato salad, which we both love,   and he doesn't like pasta salad  .   I would grill but it's been sitting since 2012 and I'm afraid to open the lid. LOL Hubby was supposed to pressure wash it 3 years ago and I'm still waiting. He almost did it last week but then the rains came again. Maybe by next years.

[pectacon]

Salads are a nice light thing for the summer, put a little chopped chicken or steak on top and you've got yourself a real meal. Usually I end up serving an "emergency squash" dish or two when I grow too much zucchini, lol.

[countrygirl12]

Hot Dogs.  Anybody can cook those.

[nickylanena]

You should go out and buy a copy of the Joy of Cooking or watch some tv cooking shows to get ideas.

I just make cold salads if it's really hot. I make a mean potato salad. Cold pasta salad can have all kinds of yummy summer ingredients in it. Green salads are nutritious and refreshing when it's hot out. Have you tried salmon patties or crab cakes?

We all gotta start somewhere. I can remember some bad stuff I made when I first started cooking, but if you keep trying you get pretty darn good.

Actually I cook whatever I feel like cooking so I don't have any special hot weather fare.

 

I usually do get my ideas from online or TV. I'll have to look into that book, though. I do love pasta salads so I might try making that, too. Thanks!

[nickylanena]

We grill a lot in summer.  Just Google for recipes, there are lots of different ideas.  Good luck!

I would definitely try grilling something. I won't be able to grill outside but perhaps I can get a mini grill plate for my kitchen.

[nickylanena]

I'm not usually ambitious enough to cook in the summer time.  I'll put orange juice, blueberries and spinach in the blender to make a smoothie. 

Tonight I decided to mix some plain greek nonfat yogurt with organic pure maple syrup and almonds.  All 3 of those ingredients are alkaline so they have a tendency to balance body chemistry.

I think these things through where I make sure I'm getting my vitamins, as well.   

I need to find a good blender because I love smoothies! The heat here in SoCal is detrimental to my will to cook, too! Hahaha!

Also, yogurt does sound like a good choice for breakfast or a healthy dessert. Thanks for the ideas!

[nickylanena]

I make a lot of green salads, steak salad, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, tacos, taco salad, and foods in the crock pot or air fryer. Also use seafood salad on greens. We can't have potato salad, which we both love,   and he doesn't like pasta salad  .   I would grill but it's been sitting since 2012 and I'm afraid to open the lid. LOL Hubby was supposed to pressure wash it 3 years ago and I'm still waiting. He almost did it last week but then the rains came again. Maybe by next years.

So many good options! I used to eat green salads for dinner all the time but I haven't in years! I would add fruit and cheeses and they were delicious! I'll have to start doing that again.

Taco salads are a good idea! I usually buy those from fast food places but it would be healthier and more cost efficient to save the money.

Also, my dad has been telling me to look into getting an air fryer but I haven't yet.

I hope you and your husband get a chance to use your grill! Thank you for the fantastic ideas! 

[nickylanena]

Salads are a nice light thing for the summer, put a little chopped chicken or steak on top and you've got yourself a real meal. Usually I end up serving an "emergency squash" dish or two when I grow too much zucchini, lol.

Yes, I'm going to have to start making salads again. I like the idea of adding meat - gonna need that protein! Haha! Squash sounds good, too! Thanks for the help!