by J.J.Morgan

Created on: May 21, 2009   Last Updated: November 29, 2011

There are days when the outside thermometer nears 100 degrees, and it can feel as if merely switching on the kitchen stove or oven is a real challenge. Thankfully, no-cook meals are available, giving new meaning to the phrase "no sweat," and helping the overheated or overtired cook prepare delicious, family meals as healthy as they are quick. No-cook recipes can also be a real saving factor not just in the summer, but during those harried times when throwing together a stove top meal just isn't feasible.

Below are several no-cook recipes for days when stove-top or oven cooking aren't possible. In the sweltering, summer months ahead, cooking is something you'll merely want to imagine someone else doing while you're busy enjoying the valuable time you'll have freed up.

Fresh Salad and Seafood

Ingredients:

1 pkg prewashed lettuce mix
cucumber, peeled and diced
1 green onion, diced
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
Shredded, prepackaged carrots
cup pecan or walnut bits
1 pkg imitation crab legs

Layer first six ingredients together and toss lightly in a bowl. Pile imitation crab legs across top of salad. Serve with Thousand Island, or your favorite vinegar, lemon and oil dressing

Seven Layer Turkey Sandwich

Ingredients:

Deli smoked turkey
Mayonnaise
Wheat or whole grain bread slices
Green leaf lettuce, torn
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced red onion
Ready made, microwaveable bacon
Muenster, American or Provolone cheese slices
Firm, thinly sliced avocados

Toast bread slices. Layer one side of toast with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, avocados, turkey, cheese and bacon and top with second piece of toast. Serve garnished with extra avocado slices on the side.

Hearty Roast Beef Wraps

Ingredients:

Deli lean roast beef or tenderloin, sliced thin
Horseradish-Mayonnaise sauce (see below)
High fiber tortillas
Green or red leaf lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced red onion
Sliced, jarred roasted red peppers, drained
Crumbled blue cheese, feta or provolone cheese

Mix mayonnaise and pure horseradish in a small bowl to your taste. Spread mixture down the center of one tortilla, laid flat. Layer roast beef, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, roasted red pepper and cheese. Roll into a tight cylinder, slice in half and serve.

Spring Rolls

Ingredients:

Spring roll wrappers
cup bean sprouts
Pre-cooked, deep fried tofu
3-5 green onions, chopped
cup cilantro
cup carrots, sliced long (optional)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp lime

Sink wrappers into a bowl of hot water until soft, approximately 20-25 seconds. Slice tofu into small squares and mix with remaining ingredients in a separate bowl. Place 2-3 tablespoons of mix on wrapper. Roll up, seal at ends with water and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Chicken Salad on Texas Toast

Ingredients:

Up to two cups leftover, diced, cooked chicken
cup mayonnaise
1-2 thinly diced celery
1 thinly diced, small onion
lemon
1 Tbsp pecan bits
Salt and pepper to taste
Red, green leaf, bibb or romaine lettuce
Texas Toast slices

Mix together the first seven ingredients. Toast bread slices and lay dry lettuce leaves on top of each slice. Spoon chicken salad mixture onto center of lettuce leaf. Serve open face with fruit on the side.

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