Eating Through A Heat Wave

Doing anything during a heat wave is a chore. This includes cooking and eating. Yet you have to sustain yourself despite the high temps? What to cook and eat? The easiest, lightest foods you can think of making and eating. There are some tasty dishes that are a cinch to create and are as light as air.

Think salads during these impossible days. Put a spin on the original by using Spring greens or spinach as the base.Add much needed protein with bacon, hard boiled eggs and cheese. Use cold cuts or already cooked bacon (or you can just microwave it). A chef salad is the perfect hot weather dinner , with various cold cuts such as chicken roast beef, and ham tossed over Cobb lettuce. You can also throw in julienned cheeses such as American , cheddar and Swiss. Served with a homemade French or a simple vinaigrette along with breadsticks,Another is the famed French Salad Nicoise. This is made with tuna fish and anchovies along with hard boiled eggs, and capers with tomatoes and greens. It's a refreshing alternative to the classic dish.

As much as grilling is a part of summer it is also hot. Who wants to stand over an inferno for half an hour in 100 degree temps?. Go cold with sandwiches. The best kind is an Italian hero. These are easy and fun to make. Get a variety of different sliced meats such as morta della, cappicola and salami. Shred lettuce and slice tomato to layer on the bread along with mozzarella or Provolone slices. You can make a dressing using oil, red wine vinegar and rosemary. Heroes can also be stuffed with homemade chicken , tuna or egg salad Remember to make the salads as close to dinner time as possible This ensures freshness and are free from the threat of food poisoning and salmonella.

During these impossible times. you have to eat. Make the lightest and easiest foods with the least minimum of fuss. They'll get you  and your through these hellish times