Trendy No-Cook Meal Ideas for Hot Summer Evenings

Back in June Cleaver's day, a typical no-cook summer dinner would be a turkey or ham sandwich on mayo-slathered white bread, served with potato chips, pickles and apple slices- not to imply that there's anything wrong with that.

Today's home chefs may still not want to heat up the kitchen or baby sit the barbecue on a hot summer night, but they are shifting to trendier options, such as wraps and salads that contain creative ingredient combinations.

Here are some no-cook summer meal ideas that are sure to impress your family and friends.

No-Cook Summer Meal Idea #1:
Watermelon, Vegetable and Feta Salad

Feta cheese may not be your first "go-with" idea for watermelon, but try it once and you'll be hooked. Watermelon and feta could be the best culinary couple since peanut butter and jelly.

What you'll need:
Chopped watermelon
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped cucumbers
Chopped fresh mint leaves
Salad dressing of your choice

What to do:
Gently mix watermelon chunks with chopped tomato, chopped cucumber and chopped fresh mint leaves. Toss with any fresh citrusy dressing (I used a blend of two parts Trader Joe's Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar to one part olive oil). Sprinkle salad generously with crumbled feta.

No-Cook Summer Meal Idea #2:
Seafood Stuffed Avocado

The first time I bought an avocado I mistakenly baked it (hey, it looked like a squash) and wondered what all the fuss was about. Now this creamy and nutty fruit has become one of my all time favorite foods.

What you'll need:
One avocado per person, pitted and cut in half
Crab or shrimp, chopped
Mayo
Scant amount Dijon mustard
Chopped fresh herbs, such as chive or dill

What to do:
Mix seafood with blend of mayo and mustard. Stir in fresh chopped herbs. Scoop the seafood salad mixture into the hollowed space (if you want, remove some avocado, finely dice and mix with seafood salad to create a deeper "bowl" and creamier salad texture). Sub egg or tofu salad for vegetarians and other fish-averse diners.

No-Cook Summer Meal Idea #3:
Wrappa Dappa Do

I'm a big fan of La Tortilla Factory tortillas because they're loaded with fiber and don't taste like a cereal box (not that I've ever actually tasted one). Plus, they can be filled with almost anything -- from turkey to tuna salad -- then rolled up into a scrumptious and satisfying wrap.

What you'll need:
One tortilla per person
Filling of your choice, such as turkey slices, chicken salad, left over tri-tip or salmon pieces
Spread, such as mayo, mustard, wasabi, mashed avocado, hummus, pesto, barbecue sauce or any combination of above
Add-ins, such as spinach leaves, chopped olives, pickle slices or roasted red peppers

What to do:
Lay tortilla on a plate and smear with spread. Top with filling and add-ins of your choice. Then fold the tortilla like a burrito (see Rachel Ray demonstrate burrito folding technique on YouTube) or just roll your tortilla over the filling mixture like a roll-up. Either way, it's a wrap!

Sources:
Personal experience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csdq-zuY71o#t=1m55s