Two years ago, my oven broke, right around the end of July. For one reason or another my landlord wasn’t able to get the correct part to fix the oven until the end of August. At the time, I thought that my world was falling apart – what was a food-obsessed blogger supposed to do without an oven to bake late-summer fruit pies, homemade pizza crust and the occasional chocolate chip cookie?
In retrospect, if my oven had to break, August was the perfect time for it to happen. No one really wants to stand over a hot oven in August and if you have a tiny kitchen like mine, even the open flame it takes to boil water for pasta will heat your kitchen to the point where you won’t even want to eat your meal unless you can take it into the swimming pool or a cold shower.
In short, August is the perfect time of year for cold main-dish salads, inventive sandwiches and simple fresh vegetable dishes that don’t require a lot of indoor heat.
Read the rest of the post about No-Cook Dinners for Summer over at Simply Life!
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks so light and summer-y I am going to try this out and already know I will love it.
Wonderful post. I’m all for the cool dinners right now!
I love no bake meals, fast and easy always wins for me!
Haha, inspiration forced by circumstances! I love it. I think I would die without my oven, but we shall see…
ahhh i love no cook dinners
. hehe read simply life’s post earlier!
No cook dinner sounds perfect for a week night or on days I just don’t feel like slaving away over a hot stove! Will check out the link… Thanks for sharing, Maris!
That looks tasty, colourful and delicious Maris!
Thank you for the inspiration
Summer should go for something refreshing. Just like salad, lots of veggies and fruit yogurt popsicles.
Who needs an oven anyway when you can serve beautiful dishes like this.
blown away, looks fantastic!!
Heading over to check it out!
I can’t wait to check the rest of the post out
what better time for no cook dinners than the blazing hot august
Headed there now! Love this idea of no cook dinners. Who wouldn’t and the first noodle pic dish-the bomb! You rock
These look great. Perfect for this time of year, especially in Alabama. Hope you had a great weekend!
An oven calling it quits can be a blessing in disguise.
Can’t wait to see the post – I’m in the mood for one of those dinners tonight!
Thanks, Maris!
A gorgeous take on pesto! thank you. Jenny
I was once without an oven for several months. It was painful. I guess its true what they say though, necessity is the mother of invention. Your no cook dinners are fabulous!
*kisses* HH
That salad is one thing that I must make soon! It looks delish!
I love this post! And love that there are 5 other no cook dinners for summer. I love when i don’t have to use my oven or my stovetop
Great post! It’s way too hot (and oh soooo humid) over here to turn on my oven.
My oven broke last summer also and I immediately came down with the flu. I maintain it’s because my oven and I are connected at the hip. Going to go check out this post, but I already know I’ll love what I find there!
Hi Maris, I love how you turned the oven breakage around to be a good thing!!! This looks like a fantastic hot weather recipe! I’m off to check out your guest post! Have a great Monday!!!!
Thanks for the great post and perfect summer ideas!
Great idea since we are having this crazy heat wave! We’ve been eating pretty light and I could use more ideas on no cook dinners! Thanks and hope you are enjoying your summer!
I love no cook dinners! They are so fast and easy, and I love eating the leftovers for lunch or sending them to work with my dad. Thanks for sharing!
no cook dinnner are the best..in this heat the lighter the better!!
I always leave your blog inspired! I am all about NOT cranking my oven on right now- NYC is too hot, and I’m sure Chicago is just as steamy!
“no-cook” is great for hot days like we’ve been having in DC!
I have this weird thing about turning on the oven when it’s blazing hot outside…I think it’s the thrill of doing something you’re not supposed to do, haha. I’m only kidding…sort of. But I do love the Napa Cabbage love; I do think it’s a seriously underrated veggie.
These will come in handy.
That tangerine salad looks tasty!
I really need to do more no cook dinners – perfect for summer.