Wow, it’s hot here in Durham NC and I can’t even begin to think about you guys in super hot places. We even have a heat advisory to stay inside! This is when it feels too hot to eat, or do much else really. My productivity goes way down when the heat goes up.
My best tip to you is get up a little early and cook before it gets unbearable. Plus your air-conditioning has a chance to cool the kitchen again before the heat is at its peak. This is the time to cook beans, grains, and pasta to use in salads later in the day.
It’s also a great time to utilize your appliances like a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or air fryer. They put out less heat than your stove or oven.
Make a big batch of cauliflower in the oven or experiment with it in your air fryer. These Cauliflower Po’ Boy Sandwiches are my favorite and you can top a salad with the crispy cauliflower too. It’s from my book, The Easy Vegan Cookbook.
Photo by Ann Oliverio
These carrot dogs are my favorites to have ready in the fridge. Just remember that the longer they marinate, the more vinegar flavor you’ll have in your dog. This one is also from my book, The Easy Vegan Cookbook.
Photo by Kate Lewis
This Slow Cooker Lentil Quinoa Taco Filling is one of my most viewed recipes on the whole blog! Plus you can throw the ingredients into your slow cooker in the morning and it’s ready to eat in your cool kitchen in the evening.
Photo by Kate Lewis
Eggplant Tapenade from Vegan Slow Cooking for Two is made in a 2 quart slow cooker, but you can double or triple the recipe and make it in a larger slow cooker. Make a big batch and eat on crackers or try it on top of a salad or pizza.
Put all that summer produce in my Lots O’ Veggies Bolognese and you can freeze the leftovers to use another night.
Make a double batch of this Instant Pot Indian Potato Salad and eat on it all week for lunch or dinner. It’s easy and nice to eat something straight from the fridge.
Speaking of cold straight from the fridge, this recipe for Super Easy Sesame Cucumber Noodles requires zero cooking! All you need is a spiralizer or you can use your vegetable peeler to make the cucumber noodles.
Cool off during the hottest part of the day with my Vegan Coconut Avocado Fudgsicles. They are easy to make, no cooking required!
Start off the day with a Vegan Lavender London Fog Popsicle instead of your normal cup of tea. It’s delicious, gets some caffeine in you, and cools you down from the get-go.
Make lemonade with this Homemade Blueberry Thyme Syrup, or just drizzle a bit into some sparkling water.
Use some of your fresh mint to make this Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca. It’s great to cool down after you do some chores. I don’t think they make this glass anymore, but you can find cool octopus glasses on Amazon.
I’m drinking more coffee trying to get an energy boost and this Middle Eastern Iced Coffee is one of my favorites. You use cold brew coffee so it’s chilled when you want it. All you need is a French Press.
I miss Iced Thai Tea, so I made a Concentrate and Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk to veganize it. You can also buy sweetened condensed coconut milk too!
Make some blackberry syrup while they’re fresh. You can even save some for winter by freezing it into ice cube trays!
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