Food for a heat wave

When the temperature outside gets to be higher than our body temperature, it’s not very exciting to cook hot food.

Since we are heading into one of our “flip the switch” sudden heat waves to start summer, I thought it prudent to offer some suggestions about what to eat.

Thankfully, our current state of COVID re-opening allows for indoor dining (patios lose some of their appeal when the diners feel like the cooked wings on the menu).

Our local restaurants who have persevered so valiantly through 15 months of slow business will appreciate every “bum in a seat” they can get. And please bear with them as they manage a new tourist season still navigating new rules.

If you want or need to stay at home, there are plenty of ways to avoid eating without turning on the oven. Here are my top three:

Salad for dinner

Whether it’s green salad or a Buddha bowl with steamed grains as a base, there are plenty of options. Think outside the box with additions such as seeds or nuts, fruit in season, smoked salmon or cured meat or pickled veggies, and a fun dressing. (Use up something in the fridge, or make one with oil, vinegar or lemon juice and some herbs or spices.)

Cooking on the grill outside

Charcoal or gas, the grill you probably have on your balcony or out back is great for much more than steaks and burgers (although those are fantastic — you just can’t eat them every day).

Grilled veggies drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil make a delicious side dish with crumbled feta or cubed mozzarella and a good dose of oregano.

Fish is a delightful light dinner — oil your hot grill or your special fish-holder before you put the fish on it and the fish won’t stick as badly.

Quick stovetop meals

A spiffed-up grilled cheese or Reuben sandwich makes a fun summer dinner. Cook it in your pan on the stove (or better yet, an electric frying pan if you have one).

Try using different condiments for fun - caramelized onions, different mustards or chilli pastes, tapenade, even thin slices of fruit can kick your sandwich up a notch.

Another great summer classic is one we often forget in the hustle and bustle. (It’s not much more effort than eating in the car, which I know many of us do regularly.)

Who’s in for a picnic?

The secrets to a great picnic are:

• Keep it simple. Not too many dishes or ingredients. (Remember, you have to carry it all.) Do a few things really well and everyone will be satiated and impressed.
• Work smarter, not harder. Use leftovers, or plan ahead. If you don’t have time or energy to cook, take advantage of the local restaurants that offer fun takeout options. Pick up your order on your way to the park or beach.
• Add a bit of flair. Paper plates are alright, but if you have some “camping dishes” (melamine or other light, hard-to-break plates then use them here. And real cutlery with cloth napkins make a Tuesday night out a special memory.
• Use food that tastes great at room temperature. Keep perishable items in a cooler while travelling and then quiche just needs to be cut and salad just needs to be dressed. Jamie Oliver uses a large plastic bag for his picnic greens and shakes them up with dressing. Salad tongs in the rolled down bag work perfectly.

Whichever method you choose, always remember to finish with a treat. It might be fresh fruit, or maybe a stop for ice cream on the way home after a picnic, but this is one more way to celebrate your ability to adapt in crazy conditions.

Keeping your cool when it’s hot sets a wonderful example for any young minds eating at your table. It helps you avoid more stress in your busy life.

And it might make for some fun summer memories, too.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.