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You are here: Home / Appetizer / Summertime Foods – Keeping It Cool In The Kitchen

Summertime Foods – Keeping It Cool In The Kitchen

June 29, 2014 by Playne Jayne 50 Comments

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

 Summertime Foods – Keeping It Cool In The Kitchen

 Easy, quick, delicious summertime food ideas! No cook, or at least very little cooking involved.  Can’t go wrong there, right!? – At least not as long as everything tastes fantastic!

Every family will have their common seasonal foods – and I love learning from other families!  These are just a few of the ideas from my kitchen – when I’m trying to keep it cool.

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

Salads

SALAD is almost a synonym for summer!  What types of tasty salads do you throw together during warmer months?  This basic idea for Black Bean And Sweet Corn Salad can be changed up and seasoned differently – but I must say I’m a huge fan of lemon juice (even better: lime!) and cilantro in the summertime!

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

One of my all time favorites is cucumber / tomato salad with olive oil, garlic, salt, and balsamic vinegar – just enough to complement these beautiful summertime veggies.  To give it a little more hardiness just throw in some fresh mozzarella!

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

Smoothies

Absolutely!  My family cheers when I tell them we’re having smoothies for dinner.  I used to do smoothies with mainly juice, frozen berries, peanut butter, and yogurt.  In the last year, though we’ve been using our Probiotic Milk Kefir and I know I’m giving everyone something so nutritious and healthy for them!  And no cooking?  WIN WIN!!!!

 

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

 Hummus

Hummus – it’s not just a snack anymore! That’s right.  Busy evenings here, when we are trying to take advantage of extra late daylight hours and knock out projects on the farm that have been waiting patiently – I’ve been known to pull out a batch of hummus and lots of veggies and some sort of flat bread to scoop and it’s protein and fiber packed!

 

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

 

Veggie Sandwich

Oh yes. This is another item that says summer!  I like to put green onion, or chives or herbs in my cream cheese, and pile on the favorites!  I love dill in the summer and my cucumbers grow faster than we can consume!

 

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

 Pasta Salad

So many possibilities! What is your favorite pasta salad variation???   I love stumbling onto a great salad invention and Buffalo Wing Pasta Salad is AMAZING! I like being able to cook some pasta up ahead and have it in the refrigerator waiting for me.

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

Falafel

Very little cooking with falafel and it makes a green salad so much more interesting!  I generally use whatever veggies are growing great – my favorite combo is zucchini, kale, chickpeas,cilantro, and garlic – everything gets pulsed coarsely in the food processor then add bread crumbs and eggs to desired consistency.  Pressed patties should hold together as you brown each side.

 

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

Dipping Oil and Bruschetta

Definitely not a meal, but so incredibly delicious. Customize the flavor using your favorite herbs – and nothing tastes like summer quite like herbs!

 

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

Summertime-Foods-Keeping-It-Cool-In-The-Kitchen www.lauraslittlehousetips.com

  Here’s to summertime!  Leave a comment with your creative ways you keep things cool in the kitchen! We want to learn from you 🙂

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Filed Under: Appetizer, Healthy Recipes, Lunch, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: black bean, Bruschetta, cucumber, Dipping Oil, Falafel, Foods, Hummus, Kitchen, pasta salad, salad, Sandwich, Summertime, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes

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Comments

  1. Susanne Collins says

    July 1, 2014 at 6:45 am

    Love it!

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      Thank you Susanne… we always appreciate the feedback. 🙂

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  2. Ellen Christian says

    July 1, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    That all looks amazing. I hate heating up the kitchen when it’s hot outside.
    Ellen Christian recently posted…Carrot and Bok Choy Slaw Recipe & 13 Slaw Recipes

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 1, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      Thank you for the feedback Ellen – sometimes I get desperate to avoid heat. What am I doing living in the south!!?? :}

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  3. Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says

    July 1, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    Oh, great recipes! Right now I’m all about the pasta salads, I can’t get enough!
    Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Memorable Birthdays

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 1, 2014 at 2:20 pm

      Tammi – What’s your fav combo for pasta salad???

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  4. Daisy says

    July 1, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    What a great collection of recipes. I can’t wait to try the Black Bean And Sweet Corn Salad.

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 1, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks Daisy – I’d love to hear any dependable summer items you use to keep it cool!!!

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  5. April says

    July 1, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    So excited for summer foods.

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 1, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Me too April! It was a loooong winter!

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  6. Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says

    July 1, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    I keep cool by still using the crockpot in the summer- set it and walk away!

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:51 am

      Great idea Chelley. Were huge crockpot fans too 🙂

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  7. Janel (A Mom's Take) says

    July 1, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Great recipe ideas. I hate turning on my oven in the dead of summer.
    Janel (A Mom’s Take) recently posted…Baby Essentials Kit & List

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:51 am

      I refuse Janel. Hope your staying cool in this heat. Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. kristin says

    July 1, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    That’s what summer is all about, cool lunches and easy summer meals. Looks delicious!!!
    kristin recently posted…Staying Fit This Summer with New Silk Almond Protein + Fiber

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:50 am

      Totally agree Kristin. Cool Lunches and easy summer meals.

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  9. Amy Desrosiers says

    July 1, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    I love cool eating too! I will have to try a veggie sandwich once my garden starts to produce.
    Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Pesto Parmesan Grilled Steak and Spinach Salad

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:50 am

      Hi Amy, Ours is finally giving up cucumbers and tomatoes. Your Spinach Salad sounded amazing too 🙂 I can’t wait til our Spinach is ready.

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  10. susan says

    July 1, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    pasta salad is one of my favorites it is always so yummy!
    susan recently posted…Hub Network to Air Transformers Marathon on Fourth of July!!!

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:49 am

      Pasta is always a hit here Susan. I love Summertime and the simple and easy ways.

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  11. Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says

    July 1, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    All of these recipes look amazing. I love the hummus dip for sure!

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:48 am

      Thank you Nancy. You can never go wrong with hummus 🙂

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  12. Courtney says

    July 1, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    Any of these recipes will make a great summertime treat. The veggie sandwich is first on my list.
    Courtney recently posted…Summer DVD Spectacular Giveaway (Ends 7/22)

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:48 am

      That’s what I had for dinner tonight Courtney a Tomato and cucumber sandwich. So good 🙂

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  13. Pam says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    I love foods that don’t heat up the kitchen in the summer. My daughter puts hummus on everything, so she would definitely agree with that suggestion!

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:47 am

      Your daughter sounds like all 3 of mine Pam. They are expert hummus makers and lovers haha 🙂

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  14. Ann Bacciaglia says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    The Buffalo Wing Pasta Salad recipe looks so good. What an interesting combination. Thanks for sharing. I am going to add it to my must make list.

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:47 am

      Hi Ann. I think you will find the flavor combination wonderful. Please let us know you liked it 🙂

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  15. Shauna says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    Oh my goodness, that buffalo pasta salad sounds and looks so amazing. Would be perfect for the 4th! thanks so much for sharing!

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:46 am

      Your welcome Shauna. It’s truly delicious. I hope you let us know how you liked it 🙂

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  16. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    We eat lots of pasta salads in our house in the summer time. I try to change it up depending on the meal, but either way – pasta salad is perfect in the summer.
    Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…The Pepper Grove Playground at Balboa Park, San Diego

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:46 am

      I agree Robin. You can never go wrong with pasta salads.

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  17. Sarah @ Must Have Mom says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Exactly what I needed! I’m doing any and everything to try and keep my stove and oven OFF! Thanks for sharing these. They all look yummy, and will be put to good use!
    Sarah @ Must Have Mom recently posted…Sunscreen Tips For Summer!

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:22 am

      Your welcome. I’m with you Oven off. Cool on 🙂

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  18. Amber Edwards says

    July 1, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    We do a lot of dinners like these in the summers. Who wants to heat up the house? Not me! We actually love doing smoothies for dinners when it’s been an especially warm day.
    Amber Edwards recently posted…Hickory Smoked Grilled Salmon perfect camping recipe + Gourmet Grillware Giveaway!

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:21 am

      I’m glad to see we are not alone. Dog days of summer means keeping it cool.

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  19. Tess says

    July 1, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    I love not being able to make something with out turning on oven. These look good.
    Tess recently posted…Tuesday Things

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    • LauraH says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:21 am

      Me too Tess. Too hot to cook. 🙂 and Summertime requires fresh 🙂

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  20. valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says

    July 2, 2014 at 2:08 am

    I love bruschetta! It’sgreat for dipping, and using as an ingredient!
    valmg @ From Val’s Kitchen recently posted…20 Picnic Sweets And Sides – #Recipes From @foodie #ad

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      My tomatoes are slowly ripening… i can’t wait til we are swimming in bruschetta Val!!! 🙂

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  21. Christine says

    July 2, 2014 at 3:21 am

    Oh the black bean and corn salad looks amazing!
    Christine recently posted…Baby Essentials Kit & List

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks Christine… I haven’t made it in a while. I’m really loving lemon and lime in salads in recent years.

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  22. Liz Mays says

    July 2, 2014 at 10:09 am

    How’s about I come over for dinner a few times a week? 😉 Everything looks outstanding, and I’ve never tried falafel. I want to!
    Liz Mays recently posted…Guilty Pleasures: My Top 5 Summer Reads

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 2, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      Come on over Liz!!!!!! I need to do some falafel – I have so much lettuce I need to use. I find no one even feels like they’re eating salad when I do falafel. hahaha!

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  23. Racquel says

    July 2, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    These are great recipes. The falafel sounds like something I’d love. I’ve never tried but will be for sure!
    Racquel recently posted…4th of July Recipes – Red, White, and Blue Buffalo Chicken Dip

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 3, 2014 at 10:54 am

      Thanks, Racquel. Falafel is one of those things I embarked on with a doubting mindset. But it really is so easy and tasty!!!

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  24. Antionette Blake says

    July 8, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    I love veggie sandwiches and fresh summer tomato and cheese sandwiches. Thanks for sharing at the #WWDParty.
    Antionette Blake recently posted…Peachy Polka Dots | Fashion After Fifty

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    • Playne Jayne says

      July 9, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      Absolutely Antoinette! Thank you for stopping by!!!

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  25. Lady Lilith says

    July 23, 2015 at 8:22 am

    Yum. I love nice refreshing salads in the summer.

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    • LauraH says

      July 23, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      I agree salads make the most refreshing meals 🙂

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