The Heat Is On!!

You're probably roasting right now if you live in the New York metro area. We're undergoing a rare late April heat wave that's making everyone lethargic and full of beach fever. It's nice to have the hot weather after a rainy cold, spring however with it comes problems. The main one is wanting to cook when you're as hot as an oven

What to do?

Chill out. Literally. Start putting yourself in a summer cooking mode. This means use the microwave more than the oven and create easy simple meals that are both fresh and tasty.

Salads are a good hot weather meal. You can create a true Nicoise with tuna, olives, fresh sliced peppers and tomatoes. Mix all of this with a head of Romaine, olive oil and red wine vinegar. For more added protein and body toss in a few sliced hard boiled eggs. Serve this up with sliced French or Italian baguettes . Another easy meal is a microwaved version of a stir fry. Cook up fresh (preferably) or frozen vegetables, with some sliced garlic, sesame (or olive oil) and some freshly cut ginger.Cook for all of two minutes and serve with microwaved brown rice. You can add almonds for nutrition and crunch too. You can also throw in any leftover grilled chicken or steak from last night barbecue.

Sandwiches are a foodie's best Friend d in the summer. Use whole wheat bread (or baguettes) and fresh veggies for a tasty quick lunch that can be brought to the office or on a picnic. You can do a quick roast of peppers and toss these on along with sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Another quick , summer sandwich is chicken or ham salad on a roll. You can chop up any leftover chicken or ham as well as using the deviled kind and then mix with mayo and herbs .You can also put this blend into hollowed out peppers and tomatoes and serve with a small tossed salads. As sides you can have anything from fresh salad (such as onion and three bean) to raw veggies and dip. These are a snap to make and give some zip and zest to lunch and dinner.

Don;t panic if the heat is on. A Spring heat wave is a time to get ready for summer- and that includes cooking. Just chill out with easy to make dishes.

Room For One More Picnic

Even though it's the last week of August, there's still plenty of time for picnics. Actually in some parts of the country you can virtually eat outside til late November. The only difference is that you may want to include heartier fare in your picnic basket.

Now that apple and raspberry season are coming up , there's always orchards that will let you pick and eat. Farms such as New Jersey's Delicious Orchards of Colts Neck, located in Monmouth County's horse country, have set up picnic tables for those who want to eat first and then get to the business of fruit harvesting. Delicious also has a varied indoor store that not only sells produce but beverages, meats , cheese and fresh baked goods. You can easily create a gourmet picnic from their many products and then sit out under the trees. You can also pack sandwiches from your house such as ham or roast beef along with some juices and boxed milk. If the weather gets a bit nippy then have a thermos of hot cocoa, tea or coffee.

Fall picnic anywhere are fun. This is the time you can slip in a good wedge of sharp cheddar to be sliced over whole grain bread.A cooler weather picnic deserves something hot and that would be a thermos of hot vegetable or beef barley soup. Also think about bringing non alcoholic cider or fresh made doughnuts to round out the meal. Remember that September and October are beautiful picnic months. Take advantage of the brisk weather to enjoy deserted beaches or mountain paths.

It may be the end of August but that does't mean it's the end of picnic season. You have two more months to pack a really glorious meal and enjoy the sun , water and air.