No-Cook Cooking

Yogurt parfait with blueberries and strawberries

Article archived: September 2010

Scorching summer temperatures mean more time outdoors or at the pool — and less time near the stove and oven. Cool down your kitchen with these no-fuss, no-cook recipes. You'll save time and energy!

No-cook starters and snacks
Easy sandwiches and salads
Oven-free sweet treats

No-cook starters and snacks

When the temperature rises, the food processor takes the place of your stove for soup-making. This summer, Spanish-inspired Watermelon Gazpacho presents an unexpected flavor medley, accented by garden-fresh cucumbers and red bell peppers.
Asian-inspired appetizers add kick to an elegant cocktail hour or a casual dinner on the deck. Smoked Salmon Bites, created with pickled ginger and wasabi paste, taste indulgent — and make a perfect introduction to a sushi spread.
Fun fact: Hot food actually cools you down when the temperature goes up. You'll love to make this fast and fun dish, Zesty Bean Dip and Chips, for your next outdoor dinner or party. Cilantro and salsa add just enough zest to spice up the hottest summer nights.
Take a hike — or a vacation — with a nutritious and simple on-the-go snack. Spicy Energy Mix features sweet dried mango, dates and pepitas — or pumpkin seeds. Add wasabi peas, sunflower seeds or raisins to the snack to change it up.

Easy sandwiches and salads

Delicate, salty sweet prosciutto and mozzarella make a delectable Italian combination in this fast Totable Tea Sandwich recipe. To serve a crowd, just multiply ingredient portions by the number of guests. Need an idea for your leftover prosciutto? Savory Date Wraps are your answer.
Plump, juicy tomatoes, fresh from the garden, grace your table with color and flavor. Make this easy, Italian-inspired recipe, Sliced Tomatoes with Pesto Drizzle with jarred or fresh basil pesto and cool off your taste buds with a flavor punch. Or serve up Tomato and Basil Finger Sandwiches with a smear of pesto and make a meal out of it.
Add inspiration to tuna with this light and easy salad idea. Chopped Salad al Tonno tastes naturally good with olive oil dressing. Add a splash of vinegar for extra flavor or substitute chunk white chicken for the tuna.
Fish-and-dressing-based salads lend themselves well to elegant vegetable dishes or take-along sandwiches. These recipes for Salmon Salad and Artichoke and Ripe Olive Tuna Salad incorporate unique ingredients for bold presentation. Bonus: Each salad boasts a heart-healthy nutritional profile.
Fresh shrimp tastes divine with hearty chickpeas, artichoke hearts and fresh salad veggies. Make the Green Goddess Salad, with fragrant tarragon and chive accents, for dinner this week — and you'll fall in love.

Make one of our favorite no-cook dressings tonight, too:

Oven-free sweet treats

The juiciest, red berries dazzle creamy vanilla yogurt or custard. You'll love making these Strawberry-Raspberry Sundaes as much as you'll love eating them. If you have more berries on hand, try this Chocolate-Crunch Strawberry Sundae, made with fat-free frozen yogurt and honey grahams.
Matcha, or Japanese green tea powder, adds flavor and alluring color to this rich Matcha Cream dessert. Serve with ladyfingers or biscotti for an elegant summertime treat.
Dessert doesn't get much simpler than plump fresh blueberries and tangy sweet cream. Layer this Blueberries with Lemon Cream dessert into parfait glasses and present with flair at your next summertime dinner party.
Drinkable desserts make perfect poolside or ballgame companions. Make Berry-Banana Smoothies for the whole family — the kids will adore the sweet taste and you'll adore that this dessert is free of added sugar.
Ripe raspberries add one-of-a-kind flavor to frozen treats. Mix them with a taste of the tropics in these easy recipes, Pineapple-Raspberry Parfaits and Raspberry-Mango Sundaes.