I do enjoy an Aussie summer. Walking around in shorts and a t-shirt, hitting the beach to cool off in the water and enjoying many barbecues. Or, I’m travelling through Europe or North America during the Northern Hemisphere summer. But you know, some days can be so hot (wherever I am in the world), I don’t feel like cooking. But as I gotta eat, here is what I make when it’s too hot to cook.
The meals I turn to when it is too hot to cook are chosen because they most importantly, don’t take long to cook or, don’t need cooking at all. Nothing worse than slaving over a hot stove in hot weather! So if you need a little inspiration for cooking during hot weather, read on.
What I make when it’s too hot to cook
BBQ + Salad
One of my favourite things to cook when it’s too hot is to barbecue. And yes I mostly do the barbecuing in my house. There is nothing like a piece of barbecued meat, fish or chicken served with salad, and maybe a few chips (if I have the energy to make them). A BBQ is so easy to do. And a salad is easy to throw together. Make sure you check for any fire restrictions to ensure you can cook over a flame.
Stir Fry
Another meal I like to make during hot weather is a stir fry. It doesn’t take too long to cut up the ingredients and then only a few minutes to quickly fry them. I love using plenty of vegetables and throw in some meat or chicken with a sauce. One of my favourite sauces being Teriyaki – Stir Fry Teriyaki Chicken anyone!
Homemade Sushi Rolls
Who doesn’t love Sushi? And yes, it is easy to make. The only cooking you need to do is to boil the rice and once cooled, add your favourite ingredients – avocado, prawns, carrot and roll it up in the rice and seaweed sheets and yum, an easy and fun meal to take when it’s too hot to cook. It’s a great bonding meal.
BLT
A BLT or bacon, lettuce and tomato toasted sandwich is one of my favourite meals to make during hot weather. When these three ingredients, plus a little mayonnaise is added there is a mix of wonderful flavours. I like there is minimal cooking so a BLT is on the plate in no time relieving any hunger pains of travelling, camping or backpacking companions.
Taco Bowl
There are many variations to tacos and the variation I like is very simple to make when it’s too hot to cook. I simply cook the mince with flavouring as my base. Then I put the mince, along with my favoured ingredients like grated cheese, lettuce, tomato and some salsa in a taco shell or soft wrap and voila – easy meal. Sometimes, I make a taco bowl. This is where I put all the ingredients in a bowl and enjoy the flavours. This is my low-carb option for those watching their weight while travelling.
Homemade Burger
Like tacos, burgers are loved around the world. Good news is, they are easy to make. The only cooking involved is cooking the burger patty, and maybe toasting your bun. But otherwise, ingredients are cool – lettuce, tomato, cheese and sauce.
There you go! My favourite summer meals that I make when it is too hot to cook. Do you have a favourite meal you turn to when it’s too hot to cook?
