Watermelon
Common sense: When faced with a heat wave (and occasionally unreliable access to air conditioning) you sweat. A lot. And lots of water is absolutely necessary. So is food. This kills two birds with one stone. And tastes awesome ... so there's that, too.
Watermelon, feta, and mint salad bites: Hate yourself for agreeing to bring a plate to this weekend's get-together? Fret not. These feta-flanked skewers require minimal time in the kitchen and are a fun alternative to the tired ol' caprese you know everyone else is bringing. (Madigan Made )
Watermelon mango pico de gallo: Melon arrives chopped up finely with juicy bites of mango and spicy kicks of jalapeno in this fruity salsa. Perfect for sharing. Or hoarding. Whatever. It's too hot to share. (Damn Delicious )
Avocados
Avocados are a fresh alternative for the fatty necessities -- like olive oil, butter, and cream -- we crave when the temps are a bit cooler. Spreadable, rich, and creamy. It's like nature's butter. Sort of.
Cucumber avocado tuna salad: Heavy mayo and oil-based tuna salads turn our stomachs when the temperature rises but this kicky take on the tradition piques our interest. A light dressing of avocado and lime coats a crunchy, bright tuna salad suitable for serving on even the hottest day of the heat wave. (Kalyn's Kitchen)
15-minute Creamy Avocado Pasta: If for some ungodly reason you're craving a creamy pasta dish in the heat, this recipe may be the answer to your prayers. A garlicky avocado sauce, whipped up quickly in the food processor, coats noodles in a rich, creamy sauce with spark of citrus that tastes like summer. (Oh She Glows )
Cold noodles
Our cravings for big bowls of pasta are relatively seasonless. Cold noodles are usually easy to fix and can live in the fridge for days at a time, occasionally getting better with time, stretching your efforts through the week. Carb on.
Joyce's drunken noodle salad: We love a piping hot order of Thai takeout that typically includes a greasy order of drunken noodles with extra hot sauce, please. But on warmer days, this cool salad, which incorporates many of the elements of our fave dish, is a solid alternative. (The Kitchn)
Cold sauce: This is kind of a cheat because it's actually served warm. However, it's a fantastic alternative for those craving homemade red sauce but dread the idea of slaving over a stove. Fresh ingredients are left to stew in the fridge overnight and are then tossed cold with piping hot, just boiled pasta for a simply synergistic supper. (Food 52 )
Yogurt
Yogurt may be the perfect hot weather food. Cool, creamy, and versatile, with just enough protein to call it a meal. We love it in dips, as marinade, as a sauce, or on its own, frozen or refrigerated, sweet or savory. We even like its awkward cousins, cottage cheese and sour cream. Everyone is invited to the party.
Peach-banana smoothie popsicles: If the froyo sensation has taught us anything it's that yogurt is delicious frozen. (Please stop rolling your eyes at us now.) These pops, made with bananas and peaches blended with Greek yogurt, sound like a great breakfast on the go. Just know those folks giving you the stink eye for eating an ice pop on the T are probably just jealous. (Offbeat and Inspired )
Frozen yogurt banana pops: These are so simple and are probably great for kids -- but likely to be mostly consumed by us adults. Just roll banana halves in strawberry Greek yogurt, coat in Rice Krispies and freeze-dried strawberries, add a stick, and freeze. (Recipe Runner )
