SUMMER RECIPES TO KEEP YOU COOL

Here in North Central Texas we are suffering from the heat and a drought with record high temperatures during both daytime and at night. The weather has us in summer doldrums, unwilling to heat up the kitchen to cook. In case you also have the summer doldrums or unseasonably hot weather, here are cool recipes that are better than a sandwich, but don’t require heating up the kitchen.

Whenever I serve Corn Salad, I always receive requests for the recipe. Usually, diners help themselves to more than one serving of this scorn alad. After you taste it, you’ll see why.

We like the Copper Pennies because they keep well and are not the same old thing. Actually, I love carrots anyway.

The Pea Salad is one my mom served frequently, especially in summer months. She only bought LeSeur peas for guests or to take to a church luncheon. Otherwise, it was the store brand of small peas. Okay, you do have to boil a couple of eggs, so technically that is cooking. Do it early in the day so the kitchen won’t be hot.

Corn Salad

2 cans whole kernel corn, drained

1 cup chopped purple onion

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups Hellman’s mayonnaise
1 pkg chili cheese Fritos

Mix all ingredients except Fritos and chill. Just before serving, coarsely crumble Fritos and mix together. (I poke a small hole in the Fritos package to let the air out, and then pound the package to crumble the chips. Then I just open the bag and pour the crumbles onto the salad. No mess that way. Refrigerated salad keeps well for the next day or two.

Copper Pennies

5 Cups canned sliced carrots
1 medium onion sliced
1 medium bell pepper

Dressing:

1 can tomato soup
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp mustard
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix dressing well and pour over vegetables. Refrigerate overnight.

Pea Salad

2 cans sweet young peas (she preferred LeSeur)
2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
1 cup sweet pickle relish (Vlasic)
3 or 4 spring onions diced or 1/2 minced white onion

1/2 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise

Mix together and refrigerate for an hour.

If you need heartier fare, throw some meat on the outdoor grill and keep the kitchen cool.


As they say Bon Apetít

By the way, not to press, but here's the buy link for my latest release, HOME SWEET TEXAS HOME, at The Wild Rose Press 

www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html