Happy 2026 everyone! I’m taking leave until the end of the January, but popping in briefly to share a summer special recipe round-up. These are the recipes I make when it’s too hot to cook!!
* Sorry Northern hemisphere, I know these are the last recipes on your mind – but have a look through my cost Winter Warmers!
What I make when it’s too hot to cook
I know I’m completely biased – but there’s nothing like an Aussie summer!! But when the weather is this hot and sticky, all I want is food that delivers maximum flavour with minimum stove time.
So here’s my list of recipes I’ve made over and over again the past few summers, when it’s just too hot to cook! Mostly or completely no-cook, these are fast, fresh, low-effort, big flavours. Think beyond the salad! Chicken Banh Mi, anyone? 😋
Heads up – it’s heavy on Asian food. Asians know how to make great hot weather food!!!
1. brushchetta pasta salad
This tops the list because a local I met while walking Dozer mentioned it was exactly what she was making for dinner that night – summer simplicity at its best!
2. Chicken banh mi
I’m going to call it – this is the highest and best use of a shop-bought roast chook. Ever!!
3. PEANUT NOODLES
This has been a summer staple since I first posted it almost a decade ago! Keeps for days – excellent work lunch or taking to picnics.
4. THAI BEEF SALAD
*And she pops the ingredients on her list to make for her pool party tomorrow – 40C forecast!! ☀️*
5. gazpacho!!
Cynical about a cold raw soup?? I WAS TOO but JB changed my mind! This is his recipe and it’s so, SO good. Refreshing but not boring. Marinating the veg is key!
6. green ginger rice noodles
Essentially, this is the Ginger Scallion Sauce from Hainanese chicken, used as an “Asian Pesto”. You know it’s gonna be good!! 🙂
7. vietnamese rice paper rolls – prawn
100% no cook! That peanut dipping sauce is everything. 🙂
PS Hot tip: Do a DIY situation. Just lay everything out and let people make their own rolls, including dipping the rice paper into water. It’s a serving format at Vietnamese restaurants!
8. lemongrass chicken rice paper rolls
This one does require a few minutes in front of the stove to cook up the chicken, but I’m sliding this in because the marinade for the chicken is soooo gooood!!!
9. ANTIPASTO CHICKPEA SALAD
I love that this salad is filling, punchy flavoured – yet requires little more effort than opening a bunch of cans!
10. BRUSCHETTA!
Tip – don’t keep your tomatoes in the fridge. They will ripen so much better out on the counter, especially in summer! Definitely improves grocery store tomatoes (which, here in Australia, are sadly underwhelming).
PS Please don’t skip rubbing the toast with garlic. It makes ALL the difference!
11. mediterranean tuna salad
The creamy feta dressing is so good!! Be normal and eat it in bowls, or elevate it by stuffing in pita pockets!
12. vietnamese lettuce wraps – no cook!!
The low-carb version of rice paper rolls. Use cooked prawns or chicken so you don’t have to turn on the stove! Everybody loves the peanut dipping sauce. 🙂
13. CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
It’s a macaroni pasta salad – plus chicken! If you’re anti-mayo (I get it), make it with a creamy yogurt-based salad dressing – try the creamy Ranch or Potato Salad dressing in from this post.
14. creamy avocado dressing – chicken pasta salad
Speaking of no-mayo, this one has been a hit with friends! It’s made using a creamy avocado dressing, so we are talking mega good-for-you avocado flavour here. The base recipe does call for a bit of mayo but so many readers have used the yogurt alternative!
15. ceviche!
How could I forget ceviche!!! I love making it with kingfish but any raw sashimi-grade fish will work here.
Serve with corn chips for scooping – spoons not allowed! Enjoy as a summer meal or as an appetiser. Sometimes I serve it on round corn chips as finger food.
16. beef tataki
OK, I know you’re going to point out that this requires the oven BUT hear me out! I’m throwing this in because it’s such a great summer dish because it’s served cold. You can cook the beef when it suits then refrigerate it until required – even the next day or the next!
No need to fry the potato either – just buy a packet of French Fries (ie the crispy potato straws from the chip aisle, not frozen uncooked) or scatter the whole thing with shop-bought crispy Asian Shallots!
Complete your meat with Asian Slaw or my copycat Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw (I love this soooo much!).
17. poke bowl
If you can get your hands on sashimi-grade fish, that’s the classic protein option for Poke Bowls. Having said that, I made this with canned tuna the other day – the dressing works so well with it!
You do need to steam rice though. Can you handle the heat? 😊 (PS Or do as Asians do and keep loads of rice in the freezer. Sprinkle with water to moisten then reheat.)
18. beetroot cured salmon
Last raw fish dish!! This is such a great one for entertaining. To make a meal out of it, serve with a pile of crostini or pumpernickel bread, and a no-mayo-slaw on the side (you can use up the leftover dill from the salmon).
Here’s a nice way to serve it DIY style. Impressive, no?? 🙂
19. THAI PRAWN AND MANGO NOODLE SALAD
It’s the heigh of mango season here in Australia!!! So I’m going to round off the list with a couple of meals starring mango. Here’s one of my favourite – a Thai Prawn and Mango Salad. I use vermicelli noodles because it’s no cook – just soak. The zesty lime salad dressing is the perfect match!
20. prawn, mango and avocado summer salad
And finally, a massive personal favourite! The flavour combination of sweet mango, creamy avocado, chopped prawns (so less goes further!) tossed with some chopped green fluffage with risoni in a garlic lime dressing is just everything.
I especially love that you can eat this with a spoon. 😅
There you go! 20 of my favourite summer meals that I’ve made regularly over the past few summers. I hope you find some inspiration in this list! – Nagi x
Life of Dozer
Dozer in the summer of 2026 at 13.8 years old in his new Forever Home!
To be completely honest, his position on the pool is a bit divided. He doesn’t like the going in part – he’s too creaky to manage it himself these days so I have to do an interesting lying-down-sliding-in situation (it’s as awkward as it sounds). Once he’s in, he loves it, and will happily do some leisurely laps and spend time just spa-ing (lying in the pool). But honestly, he is at his most energetic when he gets out – he just loves striding around the pool! Asserting his ownership, perhaps? 🤔
My home actually has a name. It’s called “Daybreak” and because it’s heritage listed, I wasn’t allowed to change the name.
But, everybody knows what this place is really called. My architects had it printed on a door mat, in case anyone was not sure. 😂 I love it.
So that’s Dozer’s summer in brief! More soon when I’m back from leave at the end of the month! – N x ❤️
Thank you for those great recipes for a couple of oldies, so long as I can get hubby to eat a little differently with the salads. Have a happy & healthy 2026 🤞😍
-4° here in North Wales, can’t see the fields or the road for the snow😂 We’re on emergency rations as not been able to leave the house since start of year so no chance of these delicious recipes making their way to our table lol.
It will be our turn to laugh in 6 months though mwahahaaaa
Happy, happy, happy New Year Nagi and Dozer and Yumiko and JB . . . yes, you did forget to tell you would disappear into the pool awhile . . . I had this ghastly feeling I had reposted something of yours and said something ‘unsuitable’ or posted a photo I should not and you were not a happy camper with me and had deleted me forever and ever! Whew 🙂 ! OK – fab to see you – more fab to see that photo of Dozer poolside with that toy in his mouth . . . the guy knows he is still the Boss . . . and I just love that fabulous doormat. Love your summer recipe collection also . . . well, I have called this country Australasia foodwise for decades – for my money you are spot-on! Love the salmon and the tataki and the ceviche and shall repost all of this tomorrow jumping-up-and-down! Do have a super January and don’t get a sunburn tomorrow !!!!
Love you Eha; my thoughts exactly!
Really great New Year wishes back !
Thank you for all your fabulous recipes which I simply cannot live without. Enjoy your much needed rest and relaxation time. I hope 2026 brings you and Dozer all that is good.
Hi Nagi and team,
I absoloutely love your recipes and passion for great food.
I have recently retired and am really enjoying working my way through your my favourite recipes .
Enjoy your well earned break (talking to Dozer here we all know you’re just there as his PA😄) All the very best for you JB and the whole team and if course Dozer in 2026
Your a great lady Nagi, love you and Dozer as well as your team thanks.
Both of you living your best life! Just perfect!
Now that I live in Thailand, I’ll be using some of these recipes when the weather warms up. But at the moment….sheeshhhh…it’s cold. I’ve never known the temperature here to be so low. So now I am cooking lots of slow cooker meals that my Thai wife manages to eat before I can dish it onto my plate. So I am scanning all of your saved emails for new ideas. PS. My wife doesn’t eat beef…something to do with her Buddhist religion.
Hey Nagi, may I advise that you may want to take the name of your house off this post as it makes it easy for people to know your exact address!!!
On a happier note, wishing you and the D-dog the best of summers x
Was just about to say the same thing Jo. Unfortunately there are a lot of crazy people out there, it’s a shame we have to think so cynically
Hurrah for Dozer’s Place! Yes, we all knew that was its name 🙂
Enjoy your break; you’ve earned it, plus some.
Nagi…, i have recommended you and tineats to litterally a hundred people at least..
YOU are absolutely amazing..
We had 22 over for Xmas Lunch and we heard back from EVERYONE about how that was the best Xmas ham EVER.
Amazing how they were all here last year and l cooked your Ham too 😂
Thank you so much for your inspiration on here…
Your KFC stuff…. wow…
Xmas ham…..WOW
Charlie Sauce … WOW
it just keeps going on and on…
A very very happy New Year from someone YOU have brought so much joy to this year in so many different ways…
X
As a South African this is just what we need! Thank you Nagi!
Everyone deserves a break from time to time, so take a moment to have fun and enjoy it!
You and Dozer are amazing 🤩 enjoy your break
I made the Pad Thai…it was delicious.
Enjoy your break Nagi, you deserve it more than anyone else I know.
God Bless you this year!
I don’t usually write or comment anywhere, but I can’t help myself – dozer is human if u ask me 😂
I love him & we’ve never met – big smooch for him please 🙏🏾