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Hot Day Cooling

No-cook and chilled dishes

27 recipes

Beat the heat with no-cook and chilled dishes — crisp salads, cold soups, and refreshing frozen treats and drinks.

Appetizers

Shrimp Ceviche

Shrimp Ceviche

A bright, refreshing classic shrimp ceviche bursting with citrus, fresh vegetables, and herbs. The shrimp are gently "cooked" in lime juice, then tossed with tomato, cucumber, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro for a crowd-pleasing dish that's perfect served with tortilla chips or tostadas. No stove required — just fresh ingredients and a little patience.

Soups

Classic Gazpacho

Classic Gazpacho

A vibrant, chilled Spanish tomato soup that's as refreshing as it is simple. Made with peak-season raw vegetables blended to a silky, bright finish, this gazpacho is the gold standard — bold with ripe tomatoes, kissed with sherry vinegar, and finished with a drizzle of good olive oil. No cooking required, just great ingredients and a blender. Perfect for hot summer days and easy enough for a weeknight.

Chilled Cucumber Soup

Chilled Cucumber Soup

A silky, refreshing cold soup that's as elegant as it is effortless. Made with crisp English cucumbers, tangy Greek yogurt, fresh dill, and a hint of garlic, this no-cook soup comes together in minutes and gets better as it chills. Perfect for hot summer days, light lunches, or as a sophisticated starter for a dinner party.

Salads

Arugula Salad

Arugula Salad

Peppery arugula with lemon, olive oil, and parmesan.

Cold Noodle Salad

Cold Noodle Salad

A refreshing, crowd-pleasing cold noodle salad with a savory sesame-soy dressing, crisp vegetables, and tender noodles. This is the kind of reliable, make-ahead dish that disappears fast at potlucks and summer gatherings. It's endlessly customizable, comes together in under 30 minutes, and actually gets better as it sits.

Blood Orange & Avocado Salad

Blood Orange & Avocado Salad

This beautiful blood orange and avocado salad brightens up dreary winter days! It's loaded with delicious fresh, seasonal flavors and makes a statement on the dinner table. Recipe yields 4 servings.

Watermelon Salad

A refreshing, vibrant summer salad that balances sweet juicy watermelon with creamy feta, crisp cucumber, fresh mint, and a bright lime dressing. This crowd-pleasing classic comes together in minutes and is perfect for backyard cookouts, picnics, and warm-weather entertaining. No cooking required — just chop, toss, and serve.

Classic Caprese Salad

Classic Caprese Salad

A timeless Italian summer salad of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, finished with good olive oil and a pinch of flaky salt. No cooking required — just great ingredients arranged beautifully. The secret is simplicity: use the best tomatoes and mozzarella you can find, and the dish practically makes itself.

Classic Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

Classic Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

A bright, rustic Greek salad the way it's made in Greece — no lettuce, no fuss. Chunky tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny olives, sweet red onion, and a generous slab of creamy feta come together with a simple olive oil and oregano dressing. This is the real deal: fresh, satisfying, and ready in 15 minutes.

Caesar Salad

Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine with creamy Caesar dressing, parmesan, and croutons.

Classic Pasta Salad

Classic Pasta Salad

A crowd-pleasing, colorful pasta salad loaded with crisp vegetables, savory salami, tangy olives, and a zesty Italian-style dressing. It's the ultimate make-ahead dish for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, and weekday lunches. The longer it sits, the better it tastes — making it one of the most reliable recipes you'll ever make.

Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad

Tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil with balsamic and olive oil.

Cucumber Salad

Cucumber Salad

Crisp, lightly pickled cucumbers in a sweet-sour dressing.

Favorite Chickpea Salad

Favorite Chickpea Salad

This chickpea salad recipe is the best! Keep this healthy chickpea salad in the fridge—it's the perfect side salad, snack and meal component. It’s vegan and gluten free, too! Recipe yields 4 generous side salads or 6 medium.

Favorite Quinoa Salad

Favorite Quinoa Salad

This quinoa salad recipe is the best! Everyone loves this healthy quinoa salad made with quinoa, chickpeas, red bell pepper, cucumber, parsley and lemon. It's vegan and gluten free, too! Recipe yields 4 medium salads or 8 side salads.

Garden Salad

Garden Salad

Fresh greens with tomato, cucumber, and carrot.

Greek Salad

Greek Salad

Cucumber, tomato, olives, and feta in a red wine vinaigrette.

Lunch

Cold Poached Chicken Salad

Cold Poached Chicken Salad

A timeless, crowd-pleasing chicken salad made with gently poached chicken breast that stays incredibly tender and juicy. Tossed with crisp celery, red onion, and a creamy, tangy dressing, this classic is perfect for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or served straight from the bowl. The key is poaching the chicken low and slow — no rubbery, dry meat here.

Sides

Brown Rice

Brown Rice

Nutty, chewy brown rice for a wholesome side.

Buttered Rice

Buttered Rice

Fluffy white rice finished with butter and a pinch of salt.

Desserts

No-Bake Cheesecake

No-Bake Cheesecake

A classic, foolproof no-bake cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust and a silky, rich cream cheese filling that sets perfectly in the fridge — no oven required. Light yet indulgent, with a smooth, creamy texture and a satisfying crunch from the crust. Perfect for make-ahead entertaining or whenever you want a show-stopping dessert without the stress.

Fruit Popsicles

Fruit Popsicles

Fresh, vibrant, and naturally sweet fruit popsicles made with real fruit, a touch of honey, and a squeeze of citrus. These crowd-pleasing frozen treats are endlessly customizable — use any combination of your favorite fruits for a refreshing, wholesome snack the whole family will love. No special skills required, just a blender and a popsicle mold!

Lemon Sorbet

Lemon Sorbet

Bright, refreshing, and intensely lemony — this classic lemon sorbet is made with just a handful of pantry staples and delivers a perfectly smooth, scoopable texture every time. No ice cream maker required (though one helps!). Made with fresh lemon juice and zest for maximum citrus punch, it's the ideal palate cleanser, light dessert, or summer treat. Simple, reliable, and absolutely delicious.

Drinks

Classic Homemade Iced Tea

Classic Homemade Iced Tea

A timeless, refreshing iced tea brewed the right way — strong, smooth, and never bitter. This foolproof method uses black tea steeped at the perfect temperature for a clean, balanced flavor that's not cloudy or harsh. Serve it over plenty of ice with a squeeze of lemon and sweeten to your taste. Perfect for a pitcher on the porch or a crowd at a summer cookout.

Fresh Lemonade

Fresh Lemonade

Bright, refreshing, and perfectly balanced — this classic fresh lemonade is made the right way with a simple syrup base that dissolves completely for smooth sweetness in every sip. No grainy sugar, no shortcuts, just real lemons, water, and a touch of sweetness. It's the kind of lemonade that disappears fast at picnics, backyard BBQs, and lazy summer afternoons.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon Agua Fresca

A refreshing, lightly sweetened Mexican watermelon drink made with just a handful of ingredients. Bright, hydrating, and naturally sweet, this classic agua fresca is blended smooth, strained for a silky finish, and finished with a squeeze of fresh lime. Perfect for hot days, backyard gatherings, or anytime you want a cool, crowd-pleasing drink that comes together in minutes.

Condiments

Basil Pesto Salad Dressing

Basil Pesto Salad Dressing

This simple basil salad dressing takes cues from pesto and pairs marvelously with green salads, Italian/Greek flavors and a variety of bold, summery flavors. Recipe yields about 1/2 cup dressing and keeps well for up to 10 days.

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