When It's Just TOO HOT

Antipasto Pasta Salad

 

Back when the temps were stuck in the upper 90's, I just...didn't wanna when it came to making dinners.

I looked for things that were as hands-off as I could manage.  Could I do the actual cooking late the night before? How minimal was the usage of heat?

Save me from the inferno.

Matt & I are always happy with salad. Big, veg-full salads.  Salads topped with components of other dishes.  GREENS ME!

Alex, however...is a typical 21 year old. The culinary contortion I have to perform to get him to eat something based on lettuce...

But he will eat pasta salads.  And now that Earth Fare has plant-based deli meats, this Antipasto Pasta Salad meant we could get by just boiling a pot of water!

I used peppadews (forever grateful to Jeanne for introducing me to them all those years ago) for the perpperoncini (because no one here likes them); it was easy, it was flavorful, and it kept me away from the stove.

Ants Not Included

 Happy National Picnic Day!!

(Picnic is one of those word, btw, that if looked at too long, ceases to be an actual word. Picnic. Picnic. Picnic.  Like summing Beetlejuice, only not like that even a little bit.)

Despite the pleasant weather in our part of the world, we held our picnic indoors. I respect all living creatures, but I prefer to enjoy my food without flies and mosquitoes joining in.

Deviled eggs, which never last long around here (looking at you, Matt), a garlicky roasted potato salad, an Earth Fare-like smoked Gouda pasta salad, plant-based barbecue chipped ham sandwiches (holla to Western PA), and, at Alex's request, Snickerdoodles. And a cool glass of lemonade. 

The only thing missing was a checkered, plastic tablecloth.