Easy NO-Cook Summertime Meal Ideas

Summertime is the perfect season to enjoy a meal outside. One of the best parts about an outside or picnic style meal is that there is usually minimal prep-work, as well as little to no dishes in the sink. Whether you're serving it on the beach, picnic style in the park or even in your own backyard, you'll appreciate the simplicity of these no-cook summertime suppers.

By purchasing Purdue Short-cuts or a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, you can make easy, cold chicken tacos. Using fresh corn tortillas, wrap together the pre-cooked diced chicken, lettuce, cheese, sour scream, tomatoes and/or salsa and serve with a side of tortilla chip and guacamole. You can also use pre-cooked chicken to make a delicious cranberry orange salad by tossing together bib lettuce leaves, dried cranberries, canned & chilled mandarin orange slices, a handful of walnuts and top it with your favorite vinaigrette dressing, my favorite for this salad is a Raspberry Vinaigrette.

One of my family's favorite no-cook summer season meals is a Brie and Plum sandwich. The combination of cheese and fruit might sound strange to you but it's actually quite pleasant; the sharpness of the cheese is cut nicely by the sweetness of the fruit. To prepare this meal, simply gather these ingredients, it's a simple recipe that can be altered to serve one or a whole crowd. On a nice crusty club roll, spread about a tablespoon of plum preserves, then top with a few peeled, pitted plum slices, a couple leaves of Romaine lettuce and a nice slice of Brie cheese, sprinkle with black pepper and serve with interesting chips, such as sweet potato chips.

Another great cold summer salad is a bean salad. Simply combine your favorite canned, rinsed and drained beans, such as chickpeas, kidney beans, canellini beans, great northern beans, red beans, etc. with chopped red onion, chopped yellow, red and green peppers, sliced cucumber and carrots and then toss with a light Italian vinaigrette dressing. Serving this protein rich salad with some crust French bread is a terrific and light meal that keeps you full for hours.

Cool down your kitchen this summer by preparing meals that don't involve the oven or microwave. Lunch meats and cheese, beans, veggies & fruits, breads and tortillas are all you need to stock your pantry with food that can be thrown together for easy, no cook dishes. You'll soon find a few favorites that will keep your family satisfied all season long.