No-cook dinners for late summertime weeknights | Food

What can I make for evening meal when I never want to use the oven or stove?
Paul, Brighton

You are not on your own, Paul. This conundrum is all far too common to chef and Sardinia resident Letitia Clark. “It’s generally so sizzling in excess of here, there is minimal will to do any serious cooking,” says the writer of La Vita e Dolce. “I also have the world’s worst oven, so I’m constantly eager not to use it.” As is so often the circumstance, solace can be uncovered in cheese – much more particularly, in “a large blob of ricotta in the middle of a salad doused in punchy olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt”.

Mozzarella and burrata tumble into the exact camp, and Clark pairs them with summertime fruits. That may well be “melon, nectarines with mint, crushed nuts and rocket, or peaches with prosciutto, burrata and basil. And I love mozzarella with plums and punchy inexperienced leaves.” Merlin Labron Johnson, chef/proprietor of Somerset’s Osip and The Outdated Pharmacy, in the meantime, keeps matters fruity with a tomato and berry number. “You want a little something with a little bit of acidity but that’s not overly sweet, such as raspberries or redcurrants.” He provides ricotta, herbs, tons of olive oil and seasons. “You could do a little bit of balsamic, too.”

Clark is also partial to pasta with salsa cruda. “Make a traditional tomato salad [chopped tomatoes with olive oil, salt and basil], rip up a ball of mozzarella and toss the ton via pasta with plenty of olive oil.” Yes, the pasta requires cooking, but the dish is eaten great, so it is authorized (no quibbling, remember to). Labron Johnson’s beetroot dip is also sanctioned. He blends cooked beets with nuts (almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts) and chipotle chilli paste, then scoops it all up with tortillas: “If cooking is a no-no, use pre-packaged beetroot.”

For immediate gratification, nonetheless, Labron Johnson will make a chilly soup by blending tinned or jarred haricot beans with garlic, tahini and olive oil – “as if you’re building hummus”. Insert sufficient h2o (or, if you’ve cooked the beans, cooking h2o) to get them to a “nice, soupy consistency”, season and provide with chopped cucumber, onion, herbs and pitta on the aspect. Yet another selection, states Santiago Lastra, chef/co-owner of Kol in London, is aguachile. “Make a juice [think cucumber or any summer veg that has a lot of natural water], add lime juice, garlic and chilli, and in just minutes you have a chilly, sour and spicy soup.” Insert uncooked shrimps or chopped veg – cucumber, onion, tomato – if the temper requires you.

You won’t sweat it with ceviche, both. Although you could use meat, veggies or fruit, Lastra keeps factors typical with white fish or trout. “Cut fillets or steaks into squares, add lime juice, chopped onion, chillies and herbs [coriander, mint], then combine with salt and tomatoes.” Provide with guacamole or tostadas and creme fraiche.

If Paul desires to be definitely organised, having said that, Lastra implies his have childhood favorite, salpicón. “That can be quick ribs or other meat gradual-cooked with dried chillies on Sunday, then shredded and held in the fridge.” In the course of the 7 days, dress with olive oil, lime juice, chillies and tomatoes, and serve with queso fresco (fresh cheese), guacamole and tostadas. “The plan is you are not just cooking a significant roast for 1 working day.”