MagicKitchen.com answers Summer Meal questions

Here are ten answers to questions about summer meals.

1. What are some good summer time meal ideas that require little to no cooking? MagicKitchen.com meals are sooo easy and just heat up in the microwave. Other great ideas include salads or sandwiches. Great salad dinner ideas include a steak salad; wash and trim your favorite greens and veggies and toss them in a bowl. Grill up some tender steaks like beef tenderloin or rib steak. Let them sit until just warmer than room temperature, then slice thin. dd to the salad, and toss all with Horseradish dressing: Just whisk together 1/2 cup of light mayonnaise, 2 Tbsp of horseradish, and a little milk to thin the mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. This serves as many as you have greens and steak for, just mix up more dressing! You can substitute chicken or fish; change the dressing to a bottled vinaigrette.
2. What are some good cold recipes for summertime meals? The salads above would fit the bill, if you used canned tuna or shrimp. But most meals need just a little cooking. If you don’t mind throwing on a pot of pasta and draining it when done, this pasta salad is served cold and is filling and delicious.
   BLT Pasta Salad
   * 1 cup light mayonnaise
   * 1/4 cup lemon juice concentrate
   * 2 teaspoons sugar
   * 7 oz of pasta, cooked
   * 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
   * 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
   * 1/4 cup green onion, sliced
   * 4 cups romaine lettuce, thinly slicedDirections:1.Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice and sugar
   2. Combine cooked pasta, bacon, tomato, and green onion.
   3. When ready to serve, add cold lettuce and dressing and toss.
   Serves 4 as a main course.
3. What are some good summer vegetarian meals? Of course this depends on what type of vegetarian, but gazpacho with some good croutons, salmon lightly brushed with good olive oil and grilled, a salad with a peanut sauce,  hearty barley salad, veggie fajitas with grilled veggies, a quick fritatta, or a bean salad all fit the bill.
4. What is a good summer meal to make for a family with a new baby? Again, MagicKitchen.com has some great meals for a family with a new baby.  You want to make it healthy and delicious but really easy to make for the new parents. Lasagna, stews and the like are good winter meal ideas. But for summer, a vegetarian pasta they can heat up in the microwave and sprinkle with good parmesan cheese,  a Greek rice salad, or some interesting chicken salads should do the trick.
5. Can you suggest a cool summer meal for company? Your best bet is to get a really good cut of steak. MagicKitchen.com has some amazing beef steaks and roasts. Or talk to your butcher. Beef tenderloin (or pork tenderloin) are sure winners. Then take some baby potatoes and rub them with salt, rosemary and a good olive oil and throw them on the grill just a few minutes before your steak goes on. A lovely green salad and you’ve got your meal!

Melody, MagicKitchen.com blogger