ideas for cool meal on a super hot day

[Anonymous]

My in-laws are in town and they already took us out. I want to have a nice light supper but a little fancy for tonight.

it is so hot! Don't want to use the stove (much) and don't want to grill.

I am pretty sure I'll make gazpacho. Other ideas?

Maybe a chef salad? I'll be going to the farmer's market and it would be nice if I could get everything there.

[Anonymous]

We really like cold sesame noodles in summer. Doesn't take any more cooking than boiling water for pasta.

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/featured-recipe-cold-noodles-with-sesame-sauce-chicken-and-cucumbers/

(We use whole wheat fettucine as the pasta)

[Anonymous]

I made a cobb salad the other day for dinner and it was fantastic and would be great with gazpacho. Only thing you might not be able to get at the farmer's market is bacon and perhaps avocado. I did a great presentation (that was in the recipe, didn't make it up myself) where I dressed teh lettuce by itself, then separately dressed the eggs, tomatoes, avocado and placed it on top of the lettuce in big groups (i.e., tomatoes together, egg together), then sprinkled the bacon, and blue cheese on top. So great!

Another idea would be to roast saomon and then serve it room temperature or cool. Could serve with a side of a bean salad or pasta salad that was cold.

[Anonymous]

We've made watermelon salad several times this week. watermelon, feta, mint, olive oil, balsamic, salt and pepper. Really refreshing, we're gobbling it up. One night I served with some crostini toasts on the side (cherry tomatos, mozz, basil). Another I served with some grilled salmon (this was Sunday though - not sure I would make DH stand out by the grill in this heat tonight!).

Serve with a pie from the farmers market and a nice bottle of rose - great summer meal!

[Anonymous]

I second the cold sesame noodles! I ate them all the time in Japan when it was 100 degrees+ in the summer.

DO get egg noodles ("real" ramen, not instant ramen) for them, though...it makes a huge difference! I top them with tomato, cucumber, sliced egg, and sliced ham. Delicious! Here's the Cooking with Dog video of how to make them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDuQOgItebM (I use tahini to make the sauce.)