No-Cook Summer Dinners

By Matt Kadey
June 12, 2014
Credit: James Baigrie
Keep your cool this summer with these dinners that require little or no time on the stove top.
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Shrimp and Mango Taco Bar

Credit: James Baigrie
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Want to prepare a meal your family will love without cranking up the heat? Don't sweat it! By taking advantage of healthy, quick-prep items from the supermarket, along with flavorful in-season fruits and veggies, you can easily give your oven the night off and still serve a nutritious dinner -- fast.

Opting for precooked shrimp simplifies this light and fruity recipe for your next family Taco Night. The creamy avocado sauce offers kids a mildly flavored alternative to salsa.

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Chunky Summer Gazpacho

Credit: James Baigrie
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This refreshing cold soup crosses the taste divide, pleasing the palates of adults and kids alike. The former will enjoy the subtle spiciness of paprika, while the latter will be drawn to the hint of strawberry sweetness. Make your batch ahead of time so that the flavors have time to meld.

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Summer Side Dishes

Credit: James Baigrie
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Orange Chicken and Couscous

The whole wheat couscous in this all-in-one dish is easy to prepare (no simmering needed!), and it has more nutrients and fiber than the regular variety. Mint and parsley give the dish garden-fresh goodness, almonds add crunch, and a citrus-flavored dressing lends the finishing touch.

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How to Eat Healthy: Raising Nutrition-Smart Kids

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Summer Side Dishes

Credit: James Baigrie
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Pizza Salad

Get the flavors of a baked pie without a stone oven. This salad features classic pizza ingredients, plus the addition of shaved raw zucchini -- a tender and unexpected alternative to salad greens. If your family prefers a dish with crispier bread, wait to toss the cubes into the salad right before serving.

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BBQ Salmon Sliders

Credit: James Baigrie
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Who says you have to fire up the grill to enjoy the smoky taste of a barbecue? Infusing these salmon patties with BBQ sauce and topping them with a sun-dried tomato mayo gives them a mild, seasonal flavor. Adding wheat germ makes them extra-hearty (and, trust us, extra-delicious).

 

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Tempted to Take Out?

Credit: ESB Professional/Shutterstock

If you have a busy night acting as chauffeur for one kid’s soccer game and another’s ballet class, relieve the dinner stress with a convenient grab-and-go option while on the run. Sandwiches are portable and less mess (we like Jimmy John’s new Frenchie).

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