Weeknight Dinner Planner: 5 Refreshing Meals For the End of Summer
Beat the last heatwave of summer with five cool-down dinner recipes.
Monday: Cold Pasta alla Norma
Basil, parsley, and fresh veggies make for a refreshing Monday meal. The heat may rise outside, but you'll be super chill!
Recipe: Try our Cold Pasta alla Norma
Tuesday: Curried Egg Salad Sandwiches
No-cook definitely doesn't mean no flavor! These sammies pack a punch with mango chutney, white wine vinegar, and curry powder.
Recipe: Try our Curried Egg Salad Sandwiches
Wednesday: Grilled-Tomato Gazpacho
Who says soup has to be hot? This tangy chilled soup will combat even the hottest end-of-summer nights.
Recipe: Try our Grilled-Tomato Gazpacho
Thursday: Nectarine Salad with Pepitas
Sweet and seasoned to perfection! Lime zest and honey make this tasty salad pop.
Recipe: Try our Nectarine Salad with Pepitas
Friday: Cold Soba Salad
Cold, but still hot — as in spicy!
Recipe: Try our Cold Soba Salad
Shopping list
For the pasta alla norma:
Grilled Eggplant
- 1 heavy medium eggplant
- salt
- 6 tablespoons EVOO
- 1/3 cup good-quality balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon acacia honey or light agave syrup
- 3 large cloves garlic
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup basil
- a fat handful of flat-leaf parsley
- 1 red chile, such as finger or Holland chile
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/2 pound ricotta salata
- black pepper
For the curried egg salad:
- 4 hard-boiled eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 4 slices pumpernickel bread
- 2 tablespoons mango chutney
- 6 sprigs watercress
For the grilled-tomato gazpacho:
- 1 lb. heirloom tomatoes
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 1 Fresno chile
- 2 shallots
- 1/2-inch-thick slice of ciabatta
- 1/3 cup EVOO
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup crushed ice
- Chopped fresh chives and cilantro leaves
For the nectarine salad with pepitas:
- 1 small shallot
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 nectarines
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 3 tablespoons salted roasted pepitas
For the cold soba salad:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup spicy bean sauce, such as House of Tsang
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 carrots
- 10 radishes
- 1 small cucumber
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 pound soba noodles
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions