I've mixed recipes that need no cooking at all with those you cook on your grill along with a few crockpot recipes. In the summer, cooking outside, using your crockpot, or simply assembling food are the best bets to stay cool. Use seasonal produce since farmer's markets are exploding with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Be sure to follow Food Safety Rules. When it's over 80 degrees outside, perishable foods (meats, dairy products) can only be left out of refrigeration for one hour, not the two hours you usually hear about. And remember, a cooler can only keep things cold. It can't chill foods back to a safe temperature, so discard that food once you get home.
Enjoy this weekend, and don't forget to fly your flag!
Saturday Breakfast
- Texas Melon Soup
Yes, soup for breakfast! This cool and creamy soup is so easy to make and the perfect hot weather breakfast. - Quick Coffeecake
This easy coffeecake takes about 10 minutes to put together. Make it the night before and it will taste even better. - grapefruit juice, coffee, milk
Saturday Lunch
- Cobb Salad Wraps
Use any cooked chopped meat in this delicious sandwich recipe. Let each person assemble their own for even less work for you! - baby carrots
- sliced strawberries
- Salted Peanut Chews
These easy bar cookies seem so festive and summery to me. Try them!
Fourth of July Dinner
- Bacon Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
These are the perfect appetizer; beautiful, delicious, and even fun to make! - Patriotic Fruit Salad
If you really want to get fancy, you could arrange these ingredients like a composed salad, making an American flag. - My Mom's Potato Salad
Still the winner after all these years. I adore this salad recipe. - All American Burgers
Of course you must serve burgers for the Fourth of July. - Strawberry Shortcake
The Fourth of July always means strawberry shortcake to me. This recipe uses only five ingredients! - Root Beer Floats
My family always had these delicious floats on the Fourth of July.
Sunday Breakfast
- Cherry Oat Muffins
- Pear Bread
A selection of quick breads makes a delicious quick breakfast on a hot day. - orange juice, coffee, milk
Saturday Lunch
- Chicken Waldorf Sandwiches
Waldorf salad is a classic that works very well as a sandwich spread. - fresh fruit
- pop and fizzy water
Sunday Night Supper
- Crockpot Sticky Chicken
This easy crockpot recipe won't heat up your kitchen and you can eat as soon as you get home. - Fresh Corn Salad
This beautiful and delicious salad should be made ahead of time; just pull it out of the fridge, garnish with some fresh basil, and serve. - purchased breadsticks
- simple green salad
- White Chocolate Chunk Wedges
These easy and delicious brownies are perfect to eat while dangling your feet in a pool or stream.
Monday Brunch
- Southwest Crockpot Breakfast
Just throw the ingredients in the crockpot, turn it on, and wake up to a fabulously easy breakfast. - Orange juice, milk, coffee
- Marinated Fruit Salad
You can make this salad the night before too; the longer it marinates the more succulent the fruit becomes. - Petite Caramel Rolls
Okay, so this recipe uses the oven. It's worth it for these fabulous rolls!
Monday Dinner
- Hot and Spicy Pecans
These crisp pecans can be made a few days ahead of time; store in a tightly covered container. - Beer Can Chicken
This fun recipe makes the moistest chicken you will ever eat. - Gazpacho
The contrast between the crisp and tender hot grilled chicken and this easy soup is really wonderful. - Melon Medley
This beautiful salad is refreshing, cool, and sweet. - crusty french rolls
- Red, White, and Blue Trifle
End your holiday weekend with this beautiful and delicious no cook recipe.
