7 Cold Dinners to Survive a Summer Heat Wave

By: Foodlets
Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm

COLD_ASIAN_NOODLES_021.tif

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm

Photo by: Antonis Achilleos Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin 917 751 2855

Antonis Achilleos Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin 917 751 2855

It may be hot, but you still have to eat dinner. Perfectly connecting the dots between cool, refreshing and totally filling, these ideas are sure-bet crowd-pleasers.

Cold Asian Noodles with Pork (pictured above)

There’s just something about ginger in a cold dish that feels so fresh this time of year. Cook the pork chops ahead of time, or get crafty and use any leftovers you happen to have available.

Photo by: Bobbi Lin

Bobbi Lin

Tender chunks of pasta are the star of this salad. Use any filling you like — cheese, spinach, chicken — then load up on the mozzarella and tomatoes.

My kids will eat anything in a lettuce wrap because they’ll call it a “boat,” which somehow makes it awesome. And that’s fine with me because with all that avocado and protein-packed quinoa, I feel good about them eating it. Serve with a big loaf of crusty bread and butter, and dinner’s done.

Food Stylist: Maggie Ruggeiro 
Prop Stylist: Marcus Hay

FNM_7LayerPastaSalad_048.tif

Food Stylist: Maggie Ruggeiro Prop Stylist: Marcus Hay

Photo by: Yunhee Kim

Yunhee Kim

Let’s just look at this salad. Not only is it gorgeous (and a good chance to actually USE that trifle bowl), but when you taste the combination of salty ham, crunchy veggies and tangy dressing, you’ll have found a new favorite summer dinner.

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

When it comes to introducing new foods and flavors, my kids are ALWAYS more excited if they can dish it up themselves. That’s the fun of this DIY Moroccan meal.

Photo by: Picasa

Picasa

Never has a kid been more into the idea of a sandwich than when they make it themselves. Add a platter of raw veggies with some dip, throw in a few pieces of sliced fruit, and dinner is served.

Cook and cool the shrimp or pick up a ring of pre-cooked shrimp at the store. Either way, you’ll have Ina Garten’s signature salad ready in a hurry.

Charity Curley Mathews is a cooking addict who just counted the hours until school is out to decide whether she had time to make homemade bagels today. She blogs about testing simple kid-friendly recipes full of fresh ingredients at foodlets.com. You can follow her on Facebook.

Related Links:

Next Up

7 Genius Watermelon Products You Need This Summer

Make slicing, serving and eating your favorite summer fruit incredibly easy.

7 Healthy Dinners You Can Make All Year Long

Because healthy eating isn’t just a "January thing."

Starbucks' Summer Menu Is Here: Say Hello to Chocolate Cream Cold Brew

The drink is reminiscent of a chocolate malted milkshake.

Oh, Go Ahead, It’s Summer: Eat Dessert for Dinner

These hearty, fruity desserts from Food Network are so filling and delicious, you won't want to wait until after dinner to eat them.

Think Outside the Bowl: Easy Cold Noodle Combos That Beat the Heat and Hit the Spot

Here’s how to put together a mix-and-match meal in no time.

Instant Pot Recipes That'll Help You Survive the Holidays

Because you cannot survive on cookies alone.

Antonia Lofaso, Tiffani Faison and Brooke Williamson Heat Up the Summer With New Series

On Beachside Brawl, Antonia challenges the best cooks from both coasts in teams led by Tiffani Faison and Brooke Williamson to see who does summer food best! Tune in on Sunday, June 19 at 10|9c.