Lunch Recipes that Help to Beat the Heat
In the winter, there is nothing better than a warming soup or rich lasagna. However, in the summer that’s the last thing we want to think about eating. Especially because of the heat that’s generated in the kitchen. But, how can we beat it? In today’s blog we’re talking about summer lunch recipes. Plus, some tips for keeping the kitchen a nice temperature.
Tips for Keeping Cool in the Kitchen
Half the battle of summer cooking is the heat in the kitchen. Check out these tips for keeping cool when making your lunch recipes!
- Don’t Cook. That might sound counterintuitive. But, what we mean here is that you want to limit your use of appliances. Embrace non-cook lunch recipes. Or, use smaller appliances like toasters ovens and slow cookers. If you have to use your oven, limit backing to being an early morning or late night occurrence.
- Dim the lights. Remember, light equals heats. To keep the kitchen cool, dim or turn of the lights and pull down the blinds.
- Stay hydrated. Keep a glass of water ready to go as you cook. Add sea salt and lemon to boost electrolytes and flavour.
- Meal Prep. Make your kitchen use worth it. By creating larger quantities you can avoid regularly overheating your house/apartment.
Delightful Lunch Recipes
Entrance your stomach with these cooling lunch recipes! Divided into categories depending on cooking style and food type.
Brunch
Enjoy these recipes at both breakfast and lunch!
- Overnight Oats. Combine milk, oats, vanilla extract and dried fruit to a covered container. Refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days. When serving, stir the oats well. Top with more fruit and nuts and a sweetener of choice.
- Avocado Breakfast Pudding. Blend avocado, milk, honey until smooth. Chill for about an hour for ultimate refreshing coolness. Serve with granola or crush almonds.
Sandwiches
Activate your appetite with some more no-cook recipes!
- Caprese Bap. Cut a round bread loaf in half. Hollow out most of the soft interior (this can be used to make your own bread crumbs). Spread both sides with pesto. Layer with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Tightly wrap in plastic wrap, then place in the freezer for 1 hour or up to a day. Cut into wedges and enjoy.
- Egg and Pesto Baguette. If you’re on TikTok, then you might be aware of the pesto-egg trend. For this lunch recipe, mix pesto and mayonnaise together and spread of cut sides of a baguette. Hard boil an egg and lay slices on one side of the bread. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, then close the sandwich.
- Chickpea Wraps. Missing your Greek and Italian food? Well, this recipe should fix that! In a bowl, smash chickpeas until they are mostly broken up. Mix in yogurt, feta, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Slather the mixture across the centre of the tortilla. Top with spinach, cucumber, and peppers. To eat, tightly wrap the ingredients like a burrito.
Salads
While they might be a bit cliche for a summer lunch recipe, these ideas are delicious and filling! Again, they don’t require any cooking.
- Panzanella. Use leftover bread (maybe from your caprese bap) for this recipe. Mix chunks in a bowl with thinly sliced onions, tomatoes, and olives. Top with a vinaigrette of oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving with feta.
- Taco Salad. This lunch recipe just requires your favourite Mexican ingredients. Mix beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and avocado in a bowl. Add sauces like pico de gallo, salsas, and sour creme. Top with cotjia or quest fresco, and tortilla chips.
Enjoy!
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