I need cold food ideas

[LeftyMom]

It's stinking hot here and our AC isn't working. As a result I could really use some ideas for foods that can be served cold and either require minimal prepping ro can be prepared the night before when it's reasonably cool. Sandwiches, pasta salads, that kind of thing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :hug:

[livetohike]

1. Mezza platter and pita bread

Hummus, Baba Ghanouj, Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, stuffed grape leaves from Trader Joe's (because I have become too lazy to make my own), etc. (This is my favorite hot weather meal).

Make crostini from a baguette sliced thin spread with olive oil, and broiled. Top with caponata, or sauteed greens.

White bean and tomato salad with lemon juice/olive oil dressing.
Make it with black beans - same deal.

Gazpacho. On second thought, too much work.

Cucumber or zucchini boats. Slice in half length wise and scoop out the middle. Fill with any mixture/stuffing you can imagine.

I use my crock pot in the summer quite a bit. Stuffed peppers are nice in there, or make spaghetti sauce. The kitchen won't heat up and you can start it in the cool of the morning.

[yewberry]

2. In the summer

I love to eat cold foods, too.

I like to modify AFSCME girl's mock tuna (in the recipe thread) by using mashed garbanzos, veg "mayo," dried mustard, s&p, and green onion.

My standby is black bean & corn salad:
1 can drained black beans
1 can corn (niblets type)
1/2 red pepper diced
about 1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
about 2 T balsamic vin
about 1 T lemon juice
pinch of kosher salt

(All ingredients are to taste.) Combine and chill. Flavor will intensify & combine.

Good luck staying cool!

[peacebuzzard]

3. How many do you feed?

are you single or feeding a family?

[LeftyMom]

4. Just myself and LeftyKid

although about half the time he doesn't want what I'm having and I prepare something different for him than myself so if it's not kid-friendly it's no big deal.

[flamingyouth]

5. I love this mock "chicken" salad

I put it either on whole grain toast or over a green salad. You can adjust the ingredients depending on your tastes.

My kitchen is an OVEN in the summer and I don't even have an exhaust fan, so I can relate ... stay cool! :hug:

1 package finely chopped chicken-style seitan, quickly sauteed with 2-3 minced cloves garlic
2-3 stalks celery, minced
5-6 pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
3-4 marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh dill
2-3 heaping Tablespoons garlic aioli-style Veganaise
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 heaping Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon Braggs or tamari
Black pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients and chill for an hour before serving

Quick and easy to prepare.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

9. I make a similar mock chicken salad except with crumbled tempeh.

Try it sometime. I'm not a fan of seitan and wheat gluten isn't that great for you anyway.

[flamingyouth]

10. I like tempeh too

I'll try it. I just like to mix things up. I get burned out on soy all the time, so I eat seitan now and then. :)

[peacebuzzard]

6. I have recently acquired a huge craving for organic green salads w/

a simple but elegant addition of cranberries (dried) and walnuts. (I am sitting in a hotel room right now munching on a restaurant salad w/ some cranberries and walnuts I had packed in my bag)

At home, I have experimented w/ homemade dressings and the best I came up w/ was the easiest: Place equal amounts of olive oil and apple cider vinegar with a couple of tablespoons of soy mayonnaise in a jar and shake until blended.

Back to the salad: you can toss is organic roma tomatoes, and any other sliced or diced veggies (my favorites lately have been cauliflower and broccoli).

Brush olive oil on organic whole sliced bread and grill for the salad topping. (I use a George Foreman grill for this--it makes my life easier)

Serve with a tall glass of cool soy milk.

[eyesroll]

7. Zaru soba?

Cold soba noodles with a dipping sauce (soy sauce, mirin) and garnishes (nori, wasabi, leek).

[Critters2]

8. Smoothies

either with just fruit and ice, or with soy yogurt.

Hummus, peanut butter, tuno sandwiches.