Chicago is undergoing a terrible heat wave right now. My poor air conditioner is running almost nonstop, so I'm reluctant to turn on the stove if I don't have to, which makes eating well a big challenge. I get sick of cold sandwiches really quickly. However, there are some things that can be cooked quickly on the stovetop or in the microwave.
My first line of defense is eggs. They cook quickly, no matter whether you fry them on the stove or scramble them in the microwave. If you microwave them, they'll be in the shape of the bowl, which makes them easy to use in an egg-n-cheese sandwich. If you cook them on the stove, consider making an omelet with plenty of fresh vegetables to balance out all the protein.
Second, I love to make salads in the summer, not only because they don't require cooking but also because you can get decent fresh produce this time of year. If you want a little more protein with your salad, cut a chicken breast into very thin slices and cook them with your favorite herbs or just some olive oil and salt & pepper. The thin slices will cook in less than 3 minutes, which won't overheat your kitchen.
Third, I can't say enough about couscous. The stove has to be on just long enough to boil the water or stock. Then you dump in the couscous, turn off the heat, and let it absorb the liquid. And since couscous has a very neutral (almost nonexistent) flavor, you can throw in any herbs or spices you have on hand and it will always taste good. If you add a can of drained garbanzo beans to it, you'll have a nutritional powerhouse.
Finally, if you don't already have one, get a crockpot. They're great for cooking soups and stews in the summer because they generate very little heat, with their insulated walls. You can have a crockpot of bean soup simmering away for hours and not have any heat coming out of the kitchen.
Whatever you decide to cook during this hot weather, be sure to drink lots of liquids (besides beer) and take it easy!
My first line of defense is eggs. They cook quickly, no matter whether you fry them on the stove or scramble them in the microwave. If you microwave them, they'll be in the shape of the bowl, which makes them easy to use in an egg-n-cheese sandwich. If you cook them on the stove, consider making an omelet with plenty of fresh vegetables to balance out all the protein.
Second, I love to make salads in the summer, not only because they don't require cooking but also because you can get decent fresh produce this time of year. If you want a little more protein with your salad, cut a chicken breast into very thin slices and cook them with your favorite herbs or just some olive oil and salt & pepper. The thin slices will cook in less than 3 minutes, which won't overheat your kitchen.
Third, I can't say enough about couscous. The stove has to be on just long enough to boil the water or stock. Then you dump in the couscous, turn off the heat, and let it absorb the liquid. And since couscous has a very neutral (almost nonexistent) flavor, you can throw in any herbs or spices you have on hand and it will always taste good. If you add a can of drained garbanzo beans to it, you'll have a nutritional powerhouse.
Finally, if you don't already have one, get a crockpot. They're great for cooking soups and stews in the summer because they generate very little heat, with their insulated walls. You can have a crockpot of bean soup simmering away for hours and not have any heat coming out of the kitchen.
Whatever you decide to cook during this hot weather, be sure to drink lots of liquids (besides beer) and take it easy!
Comments