Summer Time And the Eating Is Easy

Now that the temps are hitting the century mark here in North Jersey (and the rest of America's East Coast) no one feels like cooking or even eating. What to do? We can't exist on ice water and flavored ices. The best bet is making easy meals like salads and sandwiches. They''re not only filling but a snap to make.

I tend to go off into a Mediterranean mode when the temps hit the high nineties. I love a good Italian bread either with morta della , that melt in your mouth ham or sliced mozzarella and tomatoes. To me this is the easiest but also the most delicious and filling. All it takes is sliced bread and thena layering on meat and fillings. Another simple lunch or dinner treat is a salad. Here it's fun to vary ingredients. Get away from the regular field greens, romaine, and spinach. Instead try new greens. There's nothing like a celery and olive salad to liven up a lunch table or a fennel salad to spruce up dinner. Peas also make a neat side when they're e done cold and with a dressing.

Ifyou feel up to a dessert, then keep it simple and cool. I love the chocolate and vanilla sponge cake cups my local A&P and Stop and Shop offer. These are easy to fill with sliced berries and Cool Whip. You can also fill them with ice cream and then drizzle either chocolate or caramel sauce on them. Another hot weather treat is just chilled strawberries or blue berries. On a diet? Then try some of Skinny Cow's yummy ice cream sandwiches. I just bought their strawberry shortcake and cookies and cream ones. Another favorite is the dairy free Purely Decadent Pomegranate chip ice cream with hunks of bittersweet chocolate in it.

The temps may be boiling but that doesn't have to be your kitchen. Cool down with easy food and easy eating. Your stomach will thank you for it.