Light Leftovers for Summer

Today in southern Louisiana the high temperature is predicted to be 94*…which with the heat index raises it to 106* Whew! That is some hot. So sunny and hot that the weather report says a sunburn can happen in under 15 minutes! Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and take care of those pets, too. (O.K., my PSA is over!)

The long days of summer for our family mean more hours outside hiking, biking, skiing, or kayaking. I love the fact that we can stay outside and play like children until well after 8:PM but doesn’t leave much time for cooking dinner, if we want to eat before 10:PM. Freezer raids for leftovers, of course, is one of my summer strategies along with some lighter leftover meals. Some that can even be made in 15 minutes! Here is a recap of some of my favorite lighter leftover meals to help beat the summer heat.

Simply click on the image for each recipe:

I know some of you wouldn’t dream of having a bowl of pasta on a hot summer night, but I can’t go too many weeks without my pasta fix. Two great things about this recipe-it’s quick only 15 minutes and refreshingly light-no butter or cream to weigh it down.

Does some of your late summer evenings give way to a last-minute quick pick-up of Chinese food? Guilty! But save the leftovers to make these next two refreshing meals.

In the mood for a salad?

Have a bounty of vegetables? Make an easy flatbread pizza with ricotta cheese.

Put Your TO COOK IS TO CREATE thinking cap on: What is your go-to quick summer meal? What leftovers could make it even quicker? What shortcuts? Rotisserie chicken is an ace in the hole. Remember some of my go-to supplies? The items to keep on hand for easy meal preparation: cans of black beans and tortillas-makes for quick bean burgers or quesadillas, a frozen protein-frozen shrimp is my go-to, bags of frozen vegetables, and rice and pasta. Just think about all the quick dinner combinations with just those ingredients.

FOOD FUN: Vacationing? Be a food worthy traveler: Keep an ice chest in the car so you’ll be prepared to pack any leftovers from all the vacation splurge eating. (Hope I’m not the only one guilty of that!) Call ahead or check hotel website for microwaves and refrigerators. If flying, check the TSA gov website for allowed food items in carry on. Have a specific question about a food item? Message them a picture and the question to their Facebook page. I recently sent them a picture of fresh herbs, they answered within 15 minutes! Don’t be the person in front of me that got a bag full of hot sauce taken away from them at the checkpoint. No wasted food!