Completely happy 2026 everybody! I’m taking depart till the tip of the January, however popping in briefly to share a summer season particular recipe round-up. These are the recipes I make when it’s too scorching to cook dinner!!
* Sorry Northern hemisphere, I do know these are the final recipes in your thoughts – however take a look by means of my value Winter Heaters!
What I make when it’s too scorching to cook dinner
I do know I’m utterly biased – however there’s nothing like an Aussie summer season!! However when the climate is that this scorching and sticky, all I would like is meals that delivers most flavour with minimal range time.
So right here’s my checklist of recipes I’ve made time and again the previous few summers, when it’s simply too scorching to cook dinner! Principally or utterly no-cook, these are quick, recent, low-effort, massive flavours. Assume past the salad! Hen Banh Mi, anybody? 😋
Heads up – it’s heavy on Asian meals. Asians know the best way to make nice scorching climate meals!!!
1. brushchetta pasta salad
This tops the checklist as a result of an area I met whereas strolling Dozer talked about it was precisely what she was making for dinner that night time – summer season simplicity at its greatest!
2. Hen banh mi
I’m going to name it – that is the very best and greatest use of a shop-bought roast chook. Ever!!
3. PEANUT NOODLES
This has been a summer season staple since I first posted it nearly a decade in the past! Retains for days – glorious work lunch or taking to picnics.
4. THAI BEEF SALAD
*And she or he pops the components on her checklist to make for her pool occasion tomorrow – 40C forecast!! ☀️*
5. gazpacho!!
Cynical a couple of chilly uncooked soup?? I WAS TOO however JB modified my thoughts! That is his recipe and it’s so, SO good. Refreshing however not boring. Marinating the veg is vital!
6. inexperienced ginger rice noodles
Basically, that is the Ginger Scallion Sauce from Hainanese rooster, used as an “Asian Pesto”. You already know it’s gonna be good!! 🙂
7. vietnamese rice paper rolls – prawn
100% no cook dinner! That peanut dipping sauce is every little thing. 🙂
PS Scorching tip: Do a DIY state of affairs. Simply lay every little thing out and let individuals make their very own rolls, together with dipping the rice paper into water. It’s a serving format at Vietnamese eating places!
8. lemongrass rooster rice paper rolls
This one does require a couple of minutes in entrance of the range to cook dinner up the rooster, however I’m sliding this in as a result of the marinade for the rooster is soooo gooood!!!
9. ANTIPASTO CHICKPEA SALAD
I like that this salad is filling, punchy flavoured – but requires little extra effort than opening a bunch of cans!
10. BRUSCHETTA!
Tip – don’t maintain your tomatoes within the fridge. They may ripen so a lot better out on the counter, particularly in summer season! Undoubtedly improves grocery retailer tomatoes (which, right here in Australia, are sadly underwhelming).
PS Please don’t skip rubbing the toast with garlic. It makes ALL the distinction!
11. mediterranean tuna salad
The creamy feta dressing is so good!! Be regular and eat it in bowls, or elevate it by stuffing in pita pockets!
12. vietnamese lettuce wraps – no cook dinner!!
The low-carb model of rice paper rolls. Use cooked prawns or rooster so that you don’t need to activate the range! Everyone loves the peanut dipping sauce. 🙂
13. CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
It’s a macaroni pasta salad – plus rooster! In case you’re anti-mayo (I get it), make it with a creamy yogurt-based salad dressing – attempt the creamy Ranch or Potato Salad dressing in from this publish.
14. creamy avocado dressing – rooster pasta salad
Talking of no-mayo, this one has been successful with mates! It’s made utilizing a creamy avocado dressing, so we’re speaking mega good-for-you avocado flavour right here. The bottom recipe does name for a little bit of mayo however so many readers have used the yogurt different!
15. ceviche!
How might I neglect ceviche!!! I like making it with kingfish however any uncooked sashimi-grade fish will work right here.
Serve with corn chips for scooping – spoons not allowed! Get pleasure from as a summer season meal or as an appetiser. Typically I serve it on spherical corn chips as finger meals.
16. beef tataki
OK, I do know you’re going to level out that this requires the oven BUT hear me out! I’m throwing this in as a result of it’s such a terrific summer season dish as a result of it’s served chilly. You’ll be able to cook dinner the meat when it fits then refrigerate it till required – even the following day or the following!
No must fry the potato both – simply purchase a packet of French Fries (ie the crispy potato straws from the chip aisle, not frozen raw) or scatter the entire thing with shop-bought crispy Asian Shallots!
Full your meat with Asian Slaw or my copycat Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw (I like this soooo a lot!).
17. poke bowl
If you may get your fingers on sashimi-grade fish, that’s the traditional protein choice for Poke Bowls. Having mentioned that, I made this with canned tuna the opposite day – the dressing works so nicely with it!
You do must steam rice although. Are you able to deal with the warmth? 😊 (PS Or do as Asians do and maintain a great deal of rice within the freezer. Sprinkle with water to moisten then reheat.)
18. beetroot cured salmon
Final uncooked fish dish!! That is such a terrific one for entertaining. To make a meal out of it, serve with a pile of crostini or pumpernickel bread, and a no-mayo-slaw on the facet (you should utilize up the leftover dill from the salmon).
Right here’s a pleasant technique to serve it DIY model. Spectacular, no?? 🙂
19. THAI PRAWN AND MANGO NOODLE SALAD
It’s the heigh of mango season right here in Australia!!! So I’m going to spherical off the checklist with a few meals starring mango. Right here’s one among my favorite – a Thai Prawn and Mango Salad. I take advantage of vermicelli noodles as a result of it’s no cook dinner – simply soak. The zesty lime salad dressing is the right match!
20. prawn, mango and avocado summer season salad
And at last, a large private favorite! The flavour mixture of candy mango, creamy avocado, chopped prawns (so much less goes additional!) tossed with some chopped inexperienced fluffage with risoni in a garlic lime dressing is simply every little thing.
I particularly love that you may eat this with a spoon. 😅
There you go! 20 of my favorite summer season meals that I’ve made frequently over the previous few summers. I hope you discover some inspiration on this checklist! – Nagi x
Lifetime of Dozer
Dozer in the summertime of 2026 at 13.8 years previous in his new Without end Dwelling!
To be utterly sincere, his place on the pool is a bit divided. He doesn’t just like the going partially – he’s too creaky to handle it himself as of late so I’ve to do an attention-grabbing lying-down-sliding-in state of affairs (it’s as awkward because it sounds). As soon as he’s in, he loves it, and can fortunately do some leisurely laps and spend time simply spa-ing (mendacity within the pool). However truthfully, he’s at his most energetic when he will get out – he simply loves striding across the pool! Asserting his possession, maybe? 🤔
My dwelling truly has a reputation. It’s known as “Dawn” and since it’s heritage listed, I wasn’t allowed to vary the title.
However, everyone is aware of what this place is admittedly known as. My architects had it printed on a door mat, in case anybody was undecided. 😂 I adore it.
In order that’s Dozer’s summer season in short! Extra quickly after I’m again from depart on the finish of the month! – N x ❤️
