Summer’s here but the heat in the kitchen doesn’t have to be!

I love to cook and enjoy putting a warm, healthy and delicious meal in front of my family. But in the summer, who wants to turn on the oven and heat up the kitchen?  I have found some helpful and simple ways to put a wonderful meal on the table for your family without all the extra heat.  Leave the heat outdoors and come inside to enjoy a feast.

My kids love helping me in the kitchen and one meal they especially love is pizza night.  I often buy the frozen pizza dough balls found near the specialty cheeses at the grocery store.  Make sure it’s frozen because if it is thawed, it may have been sitting there for a few days.  I put it in my refrigerator for about 2 days to let it thaw out.  It also tends to expand, which makes it a lot easier to stretch when it’s time to make the pizza.  But who wants to jack their oven
up for 450 degrees to make the pizza?  Recently, my family and I went to a friend’s house for dinner and they made pizza outside on the grill.  It was
so delicious.  If you take the pizza dough ball and separate it into 4 mini balls, you can make 4 mini pizzas and cook them on the grill.  My kids love
making their own and putting the toppings they want so this allows everyone to
create their own pizza type.  When cooking the pizza on the grill, it will only take about 2 minutes on each side.  Once both sides have been charred, you can add the toppings.  I do suggest that you warm and cook all the toppings before putting them on the dough.  My friends simply warmed up the sauce in
their microwave and made sure the toppings were all pre-cooked and then warmed in the microwave (ex. chicken, peppers, onions, etc.).  This is where the kids can help out.  They will enjoy creating their own pizzas.  Once the toppings have been added, simply place back on the grill for another 4 minutes or so until the cheese is melted.  What a fun way to spend time outside as a family. 

Have you seen the prices of Lobsta’s!!!  Wow am I happy I live in New
England!  I love and crave seafood when July hits and it’s so nice to be able to enjoy a good New England clam boil or a lobster dinner outside in my back
yard.  My father-in-law is, in my opinion, the king of the clam boil.  He has
mastered it and I have been a lucky recipient of his cooking many times.  He gets out his large pot, adds water, broth or sometimes a little beer, and throws in clams, hot dogs, chorizo, eggs (which will harden), finger potatoes, onions, and polish sausage.  What a fabulous meal to sit down to.  And you could easily do this outside if your grill has a side burner, which most do. 
My husband and I have cooked lobsters similarly.  We fill our large pot with about two inches of water, bring it to a boil, and add the lobsters.  Boil them for 8 minutes and they are ready to eat!  While they are cooking on the side
burner, grill some chicken or steak for non seafood lovers (are there really
New Englanders out there who don’t like seafood?) and some fresh vegetables.  Peppers, zucchini, summer squash, and tomatoes grill quite nicely on the grill and add a savory and healthy side to your dinner.  You can also grill corn on the cob or simmer these in a pot on the side burner. 

Finally, most grocery stores offer cooked rotisserie chickens for a cheap price.  Pick up one of these on your way home and there is no end to what you could make for dinner.  You can make quesadillas on the grill by combining salsa and cheese with the chicken and putting this between 2 tortillas.  Get creative with some salad greens by adding your favorite nuts or beans and whatever vegetables or fruits you have around.  Top with the chicken and add your favorite dressing or make your own.  Vinaigrettes are really very simple and you can find an array of examples online.  Another idea is the add barbeque sauce to the chicken, put in the microwave to heat and place between a bulkie roll with some pickles or cole slaw. 

So the temperature may rise but that doesn’t mean your kitchen and attitude has to get heated as well.  I hope these hints on staying cooler during dinner time will allow you and your families to enjoy our beautiful New England evenings and some of the great food during this wonderful time of year.  Enjoy. 
Go Red Sox!