Salad Ideas

• Salads are one of the first things you might think of when picking a warm-weather dish. Instead of making a bland salad with iceberg lettuce and a few vegetables, try something a little more exotic. Mix a few teaspoons of curry powder into your favorite store-bought chicken salad and serve on lettuce or inside a fresh croissant. Purchase precooked shredded beef or ground beef and mix with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole and onions for a simple taco salad. Combine sliced pepperoni, ham or chicken with pasta, Italian dressing and blanched veggies for a light pasta salad.
  
  

Cold Soups

• Cold soups make you feel chilled and relaxed on a hot day. Gazpacho is a basic tomato based soup with fresh vegetables and spices added. Serve the soup cold with a sour cream on top and a sprinkle of chopped tomatoes or herbs. For a fun twist on the idea, make soup shooters. Layer gazpacho in a tall shot glass with a layer of creamy avocado on the top. Cold cucumber soup also works well for a hot night.
  
  

Appetizer Night

• Appetizers contain one or two bites, but when you mix and match different types of appetizers, you have a filling meal for the whole family. Serve hummus, which is a mixture of pureed white beans and other spices with fresh vegetables and pita chips. Create a cold platter made from different types of cold meats and cheeses. Make a few other dips, such as homemade salsa and guacamole. Bring everything to the table and let your family mix and match, creating their own dinner.
  
  

Pasta Dishes

• Create your own cold pasta dish from cooked pasta and a few blanched vegetables. Toss the cold pasta with basil, chopped tomatoes and a touch of olive oil. Brave the heat and cook the pasta right before dinner for another simple dish. Cook the pasta until it is still slightly firm in the center. Toss in a hot pan with chopped garlic, onions and tomatoes. Add grated parmesan and serve.