Too hot for the kitchen?

Gosh.  It's hot already.  As I watered the garden this morning there was steam coming off the soil as the cool water hit the roots of the fruit trees.  It's going to be sweltering.

I'm almost ready to declare the kitchen closed and give up!  But I'm sure there are two little people who will have something to say about that.

So: what to do? Here's some ideas that we've used for a no cook dinner.  Some require advance preparation ie the fritters etc, but once you've got them in the freezer just pop them in the fridge in the morning to serve them cold.

Some ideas for this hot weather:

Smoked salmon with sweetcorn and sweet potato fritters

Ham and cheese platter with chopped up veggies.  For the littlier ones you can steam the veggies first then allow them to cool

Remember the salsa I made during the week?  Why not have too-hot to cook tacos?  Keep some of Ree Drummonds carnitas beef ready in the freezer.

Noodles: Add the veg of your choice and meat.  On a hot night they are awesome with vietnamese dressing.

Rice salad.  I keep extra rice frozen and cooked in the freezer.  Just put in the fridge in the morning and add your selection of veg and meat.  If you grate it and then add a little soy or tamari it's really yummy.

Two cheese fritters-  these are great cold.  Really yummy, with salami, prosciutto, ham or leftover chicken.

Veggie pasta.  I have a sprialiser, so it's easy, but some julienne strips of carrot and and zucchini are easy enough.  Sit them in boiling water for a few minutes then dress with sugo.  Set aside to cool and serve with grated cheese.

Couscous: I add double the water.  I.e. 2 cups boiling water to 1 cup couscous.  Let it sit for 5 minutes, then stir 2 tbsps of olive oil through with a fork. Just add the veg of your choice or meat of your choice.  I recommend: hot smoked trout (you can buy this in the prepackages delimeats section of a supermarke), creme fraiche, spring onions and some carrot.

 On a really hot night you can't go wrong with a plate of fruit that's been chilled in the fridge and some yoghurt.