Happy 2026 everyone! I’m taking leave until the end of the January, but popping in briefly to share a summer special recipe round-up. These are the recipes I make when it’s too hot to cook!!
* Sorry Northern hemisphere, I know these are the last recipes on your mind – but have a look through my cost Winter Warmers!
What I make when it’s too hot to cook
I know I’m completely biased – but there’s nothing like an Aussie summer!! But when the weather is this hot and sticky, all I want is food that delivers maximum flavour with minimum stove time.
So here’s my list of recipes I’ve made over and over again the past few summers, when it’s just too hot to cook! Mostly or completely no-cook, these are fast, fresh, low-effort, big flavours. Think beyond the salad! Chicken Banh Mi, anyone? 😋
Heads up – it’s heavy on Asian food. Asians know how to make great hot weather food!!!
1. brushchetta pasta salad
This tops the list because a local I met while walking Dozer mentioned it was exactly what she was making for dinner that night – summer simplicity at its best!
2. Chicken banh mi
I’m going to call it – this is the highest and best use of a shop-bought roast chook. Ever!!
3. PEANUT NOODLES
This has been a summer staple since I first posted it almost a decade ago! Keeps for days – excellent work lunch or taking to picnics.
4. THAI BEEF SALAD
*And she pops the ingredients on her list to make for her pool party tomorrow – 40C forecast!! ☀️*
5. gazpacho!!
Cynical about a cold raw soup?? I WAS TOO but JB changed my mind! This is his recipe and it’s so, SO good. Refreshing but not boring. Marinating the veg is key!
6. green ginger rice noodles
Essentially, this is the Ginger Scallion Sauce from Hainanese chicken, used as an “Asian Pesto”. You know it’s gonna be good!! 🙂
7. vietnamese rice paper rolls – prawn
100% no cook! That peanut dipping sauce is everything. 🙂
PS Hot tip: Do a DIY situation. Just lay everything out and let people make their own rolls, including dipping the rice paper into water. It’s a serving format at Vietnamese restaurants!
8. lemongrass chicken rice paper rolls
This one does require a few minutes in front of the stove to cook up the chicken, but I’m sliding this in because the marinade for the chicken is soooo gooood!!!
9. ANTIPASTO CHICKPEA SALAD
I love that this salad is filling, punchy flavoured – yet requires little more effort than opening a bunch of cans!
10. BRUSCHETTA!
Tip – don’t keep your tomatoes in the fridge. They will ripen so much better out on the counter, especially in summer! Definitely improves grocery store tomatoes (which, here in Australia, are sadly underwhelming).
PS Please don’t skip rubbing the toast with garlic. It makes ALL the difference!
11. mediterranean tuna salad
The creamy feta dressing is so good!! Be normal and eat it in bowls, or elevate it by stuffing in pita pockets!
12. vietnamese lettuce wraps – no cook!!
The low-carb version of rice paper rolls. Use cooked prawns or chicken so you don’t have to turn on the stove! Everybody loves the peanut dipping sauce. 🙂
13. CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
It’s a macaroni pasta salad – plus chicken! If you’re anti-mayo (I get it), make it with a creamy yogurt-based salad dressing – try the creamy Ranch or Potato Salad dressing in from this post.
14. creamy avocado dressing – chicken pasta salad
Speaking of no-mayo, this one has been a hit with friends! It’s made using a creamy avocado dressing, so we are talking mega good-for-you avocado flavour here. The base recipe does call for a bit of mayo but so many readers have used the yogurt alternative!
15. ceviche!
How could I forget ceviche!!! I love making it with kingfish but any raw sashimi-grade fish will work here.
Serve with corn chips for scooping – spoons not allowed! Enjoy as a summer meal or as an appetiser. Sometimes I serve it on round corn chips as finger food.
16. beef tataki
OK, I know you’re going to point out that this requires the oven BUT hear me out! I’m throwing this in because it’s such a great summer dish because it’s served cold. You can cook the beef when it suits then refrigerate it until required – even the next day or the next!
No need to fry the potato either – just buy a packet of French Fries (ie the crispy potato straws from the chip aisle, not frozen uncooked) or scatter the whole thing with shop-bought crispy Asian Shallots!
Complete your meat with Asian Slaw or my copycat Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw (I love this soooo much!).
17. poke bowl
If you can get your hands on sashimi-grade fish, that’s the classic protein option for Poke Bowls. Having said that, I made this with canned tuna the other day – the dressing works so well with it!
You do need to steam rice though. Can you handle the heat? 😊 (PS Or do as Asians do and keep loads of rice in the freezer. Sprinkle with water to moisten then reheat.)
18. beetroot cured salmon
Last raw fish dish!! This is such a great one for entertaining. To make a meal out of it, serve with a pile of crostini or pumpernickel bread, and a no-mayo-slaw on the side (you can use up the leftover dill from the salmon).
Here’s a nice way to serve it DIY style. Impressive, no?? 🙂
19. THAI PRAWN AND MANGO NOODLE SALAD
It’s the heigh of mango season here in Australia!!! So I’m going to round off the list with a couple of meals starring mango. Here’s one of my favourite – a Thai Prawn and Mango Salad. I use vermicelli noodles because it’s no cook – just soak. The zesty lime salad dressing is the perfect match!
20. prawn, mango and avocado summer salad
And finally, a massive personal favourite! The flavour combination of sweet mango, creamy avocado, chopped prawns (so less goes further!) tossed with some chopped green fluffage with risoni in a garlic lime dressing is just everything.
I especially love that you can eat this with a spoon. 😅
There you go! 20 of my favourite summer meals that I’ve made regularly over the past few summers. I hope you find some inspiration in this list! – Nagi x
Life of Dozer
Dozer in the summer of 2026 at 13.8 years old in his new Forever Home!
To be completely honest, his position on the pool is a bit divided. He doesn’t like the going in part – he’s too creaky to manage it himself these days so I have to do an interesting lying-down-sliding-in situation (it’s as awkward as it sounds). Once he’s in, he loves it, and will happily do some leisurely laps and spend time just spa-ing (lying in the pool). But honestly, he is at his most energetic when he gets out – he just loves striding around the pool! Asserting his ownership, perhaps? 🤔
My home actually has a name. It’s called “Daybreak” and because it’s heritage listed, I wasn’t allowed to change the name.
But, everybody knows what this place is really called. My architects had it printed on a door mat, in case anyone was not sure. 😂 I love it.
So that’s Dozer’s summer in brief! More soon when I’m back from leave at the end of the month! – N x ❤️
