The Easiest Chef-Approved No-Cook Meals, Because Heat
Thought-starters from a few of our favorite culinary minds.
August 19, 2017 ● 1 min read
By Priya Krishna | Photo ChefsFeed
With some creative cuts and a touch of herbs and spice, dinner's no sweat: literally.
We asked chefs for their go-to no-cook meals, so you can feed your weary body without involving the heat behemoth that is your oven or stove. Here's what they said:
Zucchini “Pasta." (No, we won't say Zoodles.) Break out your spiralizer from the cabinet under the sink where it’s been collecting dust — this gadget is your ticket to no-cook noodles. Spiralize a zucchini, dress the noodles with raw tomato sauce with basil and garlic, and you’re set. [For more spiralized ideas, check out this recipe series.]
Upgrade your salad. Michael Fiorelli, the Executive Chef/Partner of Love & Salt in Los Angeles, is a big advocate for The Dinner Salad. “I like to make a salad of thinly shaved raw vegetables, with kale as a base. I’ll add spicy pickled peppers, olives, and breadcrumbs for a burst of flavor and texture,” he says. Another tip he recommends: marinate the vegetables in olive oil and red wine vinegar for ten minutes for an extra punch.
Gazpacho. “[Gazpacho] is not only no-cook, but also no-chop,” says Joya Carlton, chef of Orchard Grocer in New York. She uses tomatoes, radishes, and peppers in her version of the cold soup. “I add a little of my favorite hot sauce and fresh herbs, and garnish with a nice olive oil.”
Tartare. Tartare can seem intimidating, but all you really need, according to Jenn Louis, the chef/owner of Ray in Portland, is really fresh fish or meat. From there, she says, “it’s easy to alter the flavors” according to your mood. For a complete meal, she recommends serving alongside great bread or chips.
Cheese and charcuterie. Let's be real: an excellent hunk of bread, some salami, prosciutto, and a selection of cheeses is all you *really* need for a satisfying summer dinner. And it only requires unwrapping a few packages—which only costs you a bead of sweat, at most.