No-Cook Dinners

July 06, 2018
Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke
Give the grill and oven a break and beat the heat by serving dinners that don't require any cooking.
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Halibut Ceviche with Lime and Seaweed

Photo: Jennifer Causey
Halibut Ceviche with Lime and Seaweed Recipe

We can think of almost nothing more delicious on a hot August night than fresh, light ceviche.

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Orange-Almond Chicken-and-Cabbage Bowls

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
Orange-Almond Chicken-and-Cabbage Bowls Recipe

Make these low-calorie, no-cook bowls ahead for an easy lunch or dinner when time is tight. Change up the fruit, nut, or protein for whatever you have on hand.

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Tuna-and-Pickled-Vegetable Pita Pockets

Photography: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Tuna-and-Pickled-Vegetable Pita Pockets Recipe

Shortcuts: Microwave-in-Bag Haricots Verts: No water needed. Throw the entire package into the microwave for crisp-tender green beans in about three minutes. Pickled Vegetable Salad: Usually marinated overnight, this blend of cauliflower, onions, and peppers packs a ton of flavor. Hummus: Not just for snacking! Hummus is a great alternative to mayo for a sandwich spread.

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Chicken and Apple Salad with Orange-Mustard Vinaigrette

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Victoria Cox
Chicken and Apple Salad with Orange-Mustard Vinaigrette Recipe

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Chicken Salad in Radicchio Cups

Photo: Anna Williams
Chicken Salad in Radicchio Cups Recipe
Combine shredded rotisserie chicken with shredded carrot and sliced scallions, then mix with a light Dijon mustard vinaigrette for a tangy, colorful salad. Serving it in radicchio leaves makes a beautiful presentation.

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Farro, Cherry, and Walnut Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Ginny Branch
Farro, Cherry, and Walnut Salad Recipe
Farro is a quick-cooking grain with a mild flavor, perfect for a summer salad. Add juicy cherries, crunchy celery, and a mustardy dressing for the perfect accompaniment to grilled meat, poultry, or fish. If you can't find farro, you can substitute wheat berries, barley, or quinoa.
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Thai Roast Beef Salad

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
Thai Roast Beef Salad Recipe
Deli meats such as roast beef makes summertime meals a breeze. Just whisk together ingredients and you have a healthy easy meal in no time.

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Family-Style Muffuletta

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Lydia Degaris Pursell
Family-Style Muffuletta Recipe
Porchetta, a seasoned boneless pork roast, can be found in the deli case, but you can use any cold cuts here. For a make-ahead twist, wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap, and chill under the weight of a heavy cast-iron skillet up to 8 hours.

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Farro Salad with Cherry Tomato, Onion, and Almonds

Farro Salad with Cherry Tomato, Onion, and Almonds Recipe
Cooking a batch of whole grains, such as farro at the beginning of the week makes dishes like these a breeze on busy summer nights.
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Rachel's Farro Salad

Photo: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Emma Star Jensen
Rachel's Farro Salad Recipe
Nutty-tasting farro adds a boost of protein and whole grains in your summer salads.

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Pan Bagnat

Pan Bagnat Recipe
As a specialty of Nice, France this Pan Bagnat makes the perfect picnic sandwich or outdoor summer dinner because the combination of ingredients packs in and stays together for a punch of flavor and a clean meal.

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Shrimp, Watermelon, and Feta Salad

Shrimp, Watermelon, and Feta Salad Recipe
Mint and watermelon make a refreshing base for beautiful jumbo cooked shrimp in this delicious no-cook salad.
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Crab, Corn, and Tomato Salad with Lemon-Basil Dressing

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro
Crab, Corn, and Tomato Salad with Lemon-Basil Dressing Recipe
Serve the best of summer veggies in a colorful salad that's packed with flavor. Lemon, honey, Dijon mustard, and fresh basil form a tart dressing that's drizzled on a fresh corn, succulent crabmeat, and hearty tomato salad. Both light and fresh, this meal is the perfect meal for a warm summer day.

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Lobster Salad with Mango and Red Onion

Lobster Salad with Mango and Red Onion Recipe
Jalapeño peppers combined with fresh jicama and mango gives cooked lobster tails a sweet and spicy twist for a delightful summer salad.

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Hummus-Stuffed Pitas

Photo: José Picayo
Hummus-Stuffed Pitas Recipe
All you need is 15 minutes to make this quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired dish, the perfect grab-and-go meal or no-fuss dinner at home.
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Tomato "Bruschetta" with Tuna and Cannellini Salad

Photo: Annabelle Brakey; Styling: Dan Becker
Tomato "Bruschetta" with Tuna and Cannellini Salad Recipe
No bread is involved, but this is hearty enough for a quick weeknight meal--and makes great use of vine-ripened tomatoes.

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Mediterranean Garden Wraps

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling:Randy Mon
Mediterranean Garden Wraps Recipe
Here's a simple yet satisfying way to get more vegetables into your day. Feel free to experiment, changing up the vegetables you use based on what's in season, as well as the bread. Tortillas make good wraps, and the fillings are excellent in pita bread.

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Tuna, Arugula, and Egg Salad with Pita Chips

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty
Tuna, Arugula, and Egg Salad with Pita Chips Recipe
Boiling a dozen of eggs at the beginning of each week makes for a fast dinner solution and a delicious snack on-the-go.
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Rotisserie Chicken with Peaches, Walnuts, and Basil

Photo: Annabelle Brakey; Styling: Dan Becker
Rotisserie Chicken with Peaches, Walnuts, and Basil Recipe
Store-bought cooked chicken takes on a whole new dimension in this light and very flavorful dish.Worthy of a special occasion.

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Prosciutto, Peach, and Sweet Lettuce Salad

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty
Prosciutto, Peach, and Sweet Lettuce Salad Recipe
Serve this light main-course salad with a hunk of crusty baguette and a glass of chilled riesling.

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Bloody Mary Tomato Salad with Quick Pickled Shrimp

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett
Bloody Mary Tomato Salad with Quick Pickled Shrimp Recipe
Mix and match colorful assorted tomatoes, such as 'Beefsteak,' 'Brandywine,' and 'Cherokee Purple.' Their rich, meaty flavor counters the dressing's tang and zip.
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Zucchini-Mushroom "Linguine"

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett
Zucchini-Mushroom "Linguine" Recipe
Cutting zucchini into thin strips is easy and makes a fresh substitute for pasta. Add thinly sliced ribbons of salami for a meatier meal.

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Picnic in a Glass

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett
Picnic in a Glass Recipe
This Southern spin on Middle Eastern fattoush salad can be assembled in the morning before taking off to your picnic, tailgate, or work so the flavors meld and pita chips soften.

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Peruvian Ceviche

Leigh Beisch
Peruvian Ceviche Recipe
Immersing delicate raw fish in aromatic citrus juices is an innovative way to slowly cook fresh fish. Habanero chiles add a spicy kick to the dish, but are balanced out by a mixture of sweet potatoes, corn, and butter lettuce. The citrus juices "cook" the fish in about an hour, so put this recipe together when you get home then enjoy some downtime on the porch before dinner.
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Apricot-Nut Turkey-Salad Sandwiches

Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Lydia E. DeGaris
Apricot-Nut Turkey-Salad Sandwiches Recipe
Use pre-cooked turkey breast to update the classic salad sandwich. The combination of crunchy cashews, sweet apricots, and low-fat yogurt adds a great finishing touch to this delicious sandwich. Serve on pumpernickel bread for extra flavor.

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Smoked Salmon Bagel

Victor Protasio
Smoked Salmon Bagel Recipe
Bagel stackers aren't just for brunch anymore, especially when you pile them high with tasty ingredients. Rich, buttery smoked salmon not only makes the perfect accompaniment to a warm bagel, but it's rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamin D. Finish the bagel with chive cream cheese, crunchy red onion, cucumber, and salty capers.

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Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Lee Harrelson
Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
Serve a zesty salad packed with a chipotle chile, cumin, and cilantro dressing. The smokiness of the chipotle brings out the rich flavors of the roasted chicken breasts. Using pre-cooked chicken breasts means this Mexican-inspired salad can go from kitchen to table in just minutes.
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Chunky Gazpacho

Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Cindy Manning Barr
Chunky Gazpacho Recipe
Crunchy cucumbers, sweet Vidalia onions, and three vinegars combine to form this traditional Spanish soup. Serve the soup cold for a light refreshing lunch or with a mixed green salad for a filling dinner. Put the soup together the night before you plan to serve it and let it chill, covered, until it's time to eat.

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Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Dan Becker
Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad Recipe
Zesty and filling, this no-cook salad combines fresh summer ingredients–mangoes and avocadoes, with a quick three-ingredient dressing. Fresh chiles add a bright kick of spice to the finished dish. Chill for about an hour to let the flavors marry.

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White Bean and Roasted Chicken Salad

Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke
White Bean and Roasted Chicken Salad Recipe
Users raved about this 5-ingredient salad that combines pre-cooked chicken breasts with white beans and fresh basil. For a quick finishing touch, drizzle with a lemon, vinegar, and Dijon mustard dressing and serve with a glass of iced tea or white wine.
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