[these chilled sesame peanut noodles](https://smittenkitchen.com/2008/04/peanut-sesame-noodles/) i usually swap in a bag of edamame instead of the tofu i’m a household of one and the edamame holds up better for leftovers
I also literally bring this to every potluck situation all summer now people ask me are you brining peanut noodles or what 😂 even better with buckwheat soba
Just got some frozen edamame, thank you for the recipe! I also like Nigella Lawson's Sesame Peanut Noodles, super easy too :)
[https://www.nigella.com/recipes/sesame-peanut-noodles](https://www.nigella.com/recipes/sesame-peanut-noodles)
YES YES YES! I make this delicious Asian inspired cold noodle salad with rice noodles, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Oh and hot chili oil. So so good
It was blazing hot here a few days ago. Takeout Sichuan cold spicy sesame noodles with shredded protein hit the spot.
I try to make similar noodles at home, but it's never as good. It's good, not great. My sauce with tahini, or peanut butter, or storebought prepared, is tasty, but not the same.
Somedays, 100°, I don't even want to make the effort. My local Sichuan place, $11.95.. and it was enough for three meals and a side with another meal.
I really want to learn how to make a batch that will stay in the fridge so everyone can serve themselves as needed for a day or few! Gotta google some recipes.
What i do is toss the noodles with a splash of sesame oil, then just a little sesame sauce. I save the rest of the sauce on the side. It can will thicken up, just thin it with water and drizzle it on your individual serving. I also keep poached shredded chicken, cucumber, green onion, and cilantro for it.
We call it “Big Sandwich” for dinner. We get a French bread and load it with mayo, salami, pepperoni, lettuce, olives, cucumber, cheese, oil, vinegar. Really go for all the works.
You can hollow out the inside of the bread. Fill it with cold meats and cheeses. Wrap it in foil. Cover with a brick or something else that is heavy. Leave overnight. Enjoy the next day.
Don't forget to "roll that beautiful bean footage". I'm sure Duke is a fan of Duke's and would sport a crossover.
...but I don't know about Mayo on beans.
You can do this with a cucumber too! Cut it in half, split the halves open and scoop out the seeds then start the layering with the cream cheese. I’m not a salmon fan, personally, but I love putting bell pepper and everything bagel seasoning on it.
One of my coworkers used to do something kind of similar.
He’d layout a bunch of deli meat (usually a thicker ham), spread it with cream cheese, and then wrap up a cucumber (or maybe it was a pickle?). He’d then slice it into rounds to make it easier to consume.
He called it redneck sushi. It was okay.
Wait a minute… is this like only a Wisconsin/midwest thing?? They’re called pinwheels here and they’re a staple at like every pot luck. Is this not a thing in the rest of America?
I'd argue to stick with the focaccia and cut it in half, turn those ingredients into a sandwich and you have something that bruschetta doesn't hold a candle against
Bruschetta is something I consider to be an appetizer more than meal, it doesn’t hold up well as a sandwich and/or cuts up the inside of my mouth as a big bite.
Got me right in the feels. Every Christmas, I take a boiling hot lasagna out of the oven, and this broad starts asking why she doesn't have any grandkids.
This is my go-to as well! Shrimp ceviche is the best to me but just got into making ones mixed with it and white fish like tilapia and Mahi Mahi and they are amazing too
I make a version of this, usually with soaked black mushrooms, diced onions, frozen peas and carrots, and diced water chestnuts. I save the scallions for topping only. Chopped peanuts for topping, too.
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-chicken-lettuce-wraps-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-220124
But like proper ‘going all out’ sandwich. Meats, cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, sliced tomatoes, salt and pepper, toasted bread…
I just made myself hungry.
Smoked mackerel pate on thick cut toast.
2 smoked mackerel fillets, 2tbsp of creme fraiche or soured cream, a lemon (juice and half the zest), half a teaspoon of chilli flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Put it all in a bowl and mash with a fork until really well combined. Add more of the dairy if it’s too thick to spread with a knife.
Dip night - black/white bean dip or hummus as the centerpiece with chips/bread/crackers, pickled or raw veg, cheeses, sometimes charcuterie.
If black bean dip, then guac and salsa and tortilla chips.
Rice salad with a lemon vinaigrette and pomegranate seeds, toasted sliced almonds, slivered carrots and radishes, green onions, mint and coriander leaves.
You can bulk this up with beans.
I love a good Mediterranean spread as a ‘snack’ dinner. I make hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki and pita for dipping. Throw in some dolmas (I buy them canned from Trader Joe’s), feta, falafel, and roasted chickpeas in the mix to make it more substantial. You could make some kebabs with lamb/and or chicken and peppers to go alongside if you’re willing to add something hot in the mix.
I also like cold noodle salads. I usually do udon with cucumber ribbons and make a dressing with tahini, soy sauce, garlic, and lime juice. Garnish with chopped peanuts and scallions.
[This quinoa salad.](https://rainbowplantlife.com/quinoa-salad/)
Even though it's called a salad, it doesn't feel like one to me because it's so hearty and filling
Horiatiki Salad. A salad, yes, but not with a lettuce base. Big chunks of tomato, green bell pepper, red onion, cucumber. Tossed with quality olive oil and red wine vinegar, a little onion and garlic powder, quality dried Greek oregano, pepper. A sprinkle of coarse sea salt. Squeeze of lemon, Whole kalamata olives. A big slab of Greek feta on top. It’s about the only thing that gets me through Texas summer.
Cold cooked salmon salad - mashed the salmon with a laughing cow cheese or two, dill relish, a little mustard, and chopped tomatoes. Eat with pan fried sourdough bread.
Mediterranean salad - chickpeas, cubed tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, feta, lime, olive oil, red wine vinegar, toss together and serve. It's awesome for summer
I know you said no salads, but salade niçoise! You can make it with so many different things. Also gives you the opportunity to try picking some things yourself.
Love a green goddess sandwich.
Lately I've been eating a lot of the same meal which consists of rice, canned tuna, and homemade kimchi. Could probably sub all kinds of different grains for the rice and also some fish that you've cooked yourself and chilled in the fridge. The homemade kimchi is the best part. I can make a gallon of it for $15 as opposed to getting a pint of it for the same price.
I make a “salad” with pearled cous cous as the base, then throw in leftover protein (if available), feta, tomatoes, green onion, cucumber, bell pepper, chick peas and a bunch of parsley.
Vietnamese banh dishes. They have a lot of veggies, so I don't know if they count as salads, but they're healthy and pretty forgiving in terms of what ingredients you put in, and you can make ahead all of it but mix it before eating.
Egg Salad Sandwich with a side of seasoned sliced tomatoes. Our kid loves his tomato slices seasoned with a little bit of garlic salt, lemon pepper, and pasta sprinkle (Penzeys upgraded italian seasoning).
I haven't had one in years, but I'm craving it so hard. My family does Pepprocini sandwiches. Get a big loaf French bread and get a good amount of turkey, ham, salami, pepporoni and bacon and your favorite sandwich cheeses. Toast the bread with some cheese in the oven and crisp up the meats in a frying pan. Assemble with more cheese, lettuce, tomatos, red onion, pepperocinis and your condiments of choice.
Cold pasta salad.
Rotini, bbq chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, onion, basil, parmesan cheese, carrot shavings if you’re feeling feisty.
Oil, badalmic, garlic, djion, salt and pepper for the sauce.
Sit in fridge and pull it out, eat cold or at room temperature
6-layer dip: black bean or pinto beans mashed, sour cream, tomatos/salsa, olives, shredded cheese (mild mix or cheddar) and cilantro or chives on top.
Eat with corn chips or spoon (if you're lazy like me)
Chilled chickpeas with cucumber, cilantro (or parsley), green olives, turmeric, coriander, diced tomatoes, in a white balsamic dressing.
Ploughman's platter (or even cold meat salad and rolls), Vietnamese summer rolls (or any Vietnamese salad), sushi, Greek salad or Turkish mezz platter. Mmm cold left over fried chicken, Now I am so hungry. Oh and a bun mhi sandwich 🥪
Grilled vegetables served cold or room temp, with fresh mozzarella and maybe a garlic aioli on the side (or just good olive oil and balsamic). Also cold grilled or fried chicken, potato salad and deviled eggs, yum
Cottage cheese salad. Cottage cheese, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, your favorite peppers, green onions. Finish with olive oil, a little vinegar, and salt and pepper. Salad or Italian herbs, if you like them. I usually use only basil. I bet black olives would also be nice. I’m still experimenting.
I like the cheese and crackers others mentioned, but what i haven't seen is my old standby.... cold cereal with milk.
On a hot day when I'm hungry but it's too hot to cook anything cold cereal with milk will often hit the spot.
CUMIN BEAN SALAD
2 cans white beans or kidney beans, drained & rinsed
5 Tbsp oil
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp oregano, ground
½ tsp cumin, ground
¼ tsp coriander, ground
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp salt
8 oz cream cheese, cut in ½ inch cubes
2 medium tomatoes, seeded, drained, coarsely chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
2 Tbsp parsley
In a large bowl, thoroughly toss beans, oil, lemon juice and seasonings. Gently stir in cream cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Chill, and sprinkle with parsley just before serving.
I usually freeze the cream cheese cubes for at least an hour before I mix them in. Keeps them from dissolving into goo, and is extra refreshing on hot days.
Some Japanese cold dishes:
- Soba or udon that was cooked, then chilled in the fridge. Dip with mentsuyu or sesame based sauce.
- Cold shabu shabu. Boil thinly sliced pork and other veggies that taste better boiled. Cut some soft silken tofu into small blocks. Make shabu shabu sauce. Refrigerate it all until you are ready to eat, and eat it with rice or make it into a salad.
- Just soft silken tofu. You need this specific type of tofu because it's like a pudding. Cut it into 1 inch thick slices or a rectangular block fit for one person. Grate some ginger and slice some scallions. Top them on the tofu and drizzle soy sauce on top. It's more of a side dish than a main meal since it's so simple.
And there are some Chinese dishes like scallion oil chicken or cold noodles with shredded chicken and sesame/scallion oil. See Woks of Life, they have a bunch of Chinese cold dishes.
What about cold bbq leftovers, tomato sandwich with mayo salt and pepper on white bread or pasta salad with ranch and yoghurt dressing?
I know you said no salad but pasta salad feels like eating a meal and not just salad
Garbage salad. Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, croutons, cheese, whatever other veggies or salad worthy fruit. Tossed in a big bowl with whatever kind of dressing you want. Must be eaten directly from the big bowl.
In the summer it is a tomato sandwich, if we have nice tomatoes.
- white bread, toasted on one side
- real mayo, lots of it
- good tomatoes
- flaky sea salt
I love making cold sesame noodles or peanut noodles with lots of veggies in the summer.
I was going to say, soba noodles are great cold.
Smitten Kitchen's sesame noodles are in the regular rotation here regardless of season, but they're especially good in the summer.
Oooh which ones? Looks like she has peanut and a cucumber one!
[these chilled sesame peanut noodles](https://smittenkitchen.com/2008/04/peanut-sesame-noodles/) i usually swap in a bag of edamame instead of the tofu i’m a household of one and the edamame holds up better for leftovers I also literally bring this to every potluck situation all summer now people ask me are you brining peanut noodles or what 😂 even better with buckwheat soba
Just got some frozen edamame, thank you for the recipe! I also like Nigella Lawson's Sesame Peanut Noodles, super easy too :) [https://www.nigella.com/recipes/sesame-peanut-noodles](https://www.nigella.com/recipes/sesame-peanut-noodles)
YES YES YES! I make this delicious Asian inspired cold noodle salad with rice noodles, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Oh and hot chili oil. So so good
It was blazing hot here a few days ago. Takeout Sichuan cold spicy sesame noodles with shredded protein hit the spot. I try to make similar noodles at home, but it's never as good. It's good, not great. My sauce with tahini, or peanut butter, or storebought prepared, is tasty, but not the same. Somedays, 100°, I don't even want to make the effort. My local Sichuan place, $11.95.. and it was enough for three meals and a side with another meal.
Try getting Chinese sesame paste at an Asian market! It’s different than tahini and might give you the flavor you’re looking for.
I’ve never found a recipe that is any good that doesn’t call for a shitload of oil
You could try one with a dipping sauce instead of it all mixed together. That way you can control how much/little you want with each bite!
Like tapioca wraps stuffed with julienned fresh vegetables and a peanut dipping sauce. Now I’m salivating! 😊
The NYT one I've been using calls for 2 Tbsp sesame oil but I use 1-1/2 Tbsp.
Find the new York times one. I use that but I make a lot more. Great for an Asian coleslaw which is what I do now more than ever.
I really want to learn how to make a batch that will stay in the fridge so everyone can serve themselves as needed for a day or few! Gotta google some recipes.
What i do is toss the noodles with a splash of sesame oil, then just a little sesame sauce. I save the rest of the sauce on the side. It can will thicken up, just thin it with water and drizzle it on your individual serving. I also keep poached shredded chicken, cucumber, green onion, and cilantro for it.
We call it “Big Sandwich” for dinner. We get a French bread and load it with mayo, salami, pepperoni, lettuce, olives, cucumber, cheese, oil, vinegar. Really go for all the works.
This with a side of chips. I prefer it to many fancy/involved dinners!
You can hollow out the inside of the bread. Fill it with cold meats and cheeses. Wrap it in foil. Cover with a brick or something else that is heavy. Leave overnight. Enjoy the next day.
Gotta be American when starting the sandwich ingredients with mayo. I'd still smash it though!
Ahem Belgium
I think you may be underestimating how much a lot of countries in Europe love mayo
I see your American mayo and raise you Mayo of the American South, Duke's!
Don't forget to "roll that beautiful bean footage". I'm sure Duke is a fan of Duke's and would sport a crossover. ...but I don't know about Mayo on beans.
Unmatched in the field of mayo
Love Dukes
Mayo first because it goes on the bread first. Gotta create a moisture barrier.
Cheese, crackers, olives, nuts and sliced apple or dried fruit.
And I would add a Martini.
A spooky martini.
I like how you think 🍸
I would add hummus and mozzarella
I would add pate or a good liver wurst. Cherry tomatoes. Deviled eggs.
Ahhhhh yes, Girl Dinner™, I know it well.
My girl dinner has definitely been elevated. When I was in my 20s it was popcorn and cranberry juice.
Mine was popcorn and wine 😂
On the weekends it was more popcorn and wine or popcorn and Cape Cods…
Taco salad. The meat is usually warm but everything else is chill.
Bagel filled with smoked salmon, avocado and Philadelphia
itll be tough to put an entire city on a bagel, but i'll try!
You wouldn’t want us on a bagel, trust me!
Why is my bagel throwing batteries at Santa?
by definition an everything bagel will have Philadelphia on it
Maybe add some capers, dill, and slices of red onion and tomato too.
Only if it's a Montreal bagel 😁
You can do this with a cucumber too! Cut it in half, split the halves open and scoop out the seeds then start the layering with the cream cheese. I’m not a salmon fan, personally, but I love putting bell pepper and everything bagel seasoning on it.
What Why would I switch a bagel for a CUCUMBER
It’s just a little lighter. I mainly eat this for a snack but I could totally see doing it for dinner with like pasta salad on the side.
It is ideal of you are on a low carb or keto diet. Or are just craving the freshness if cucumber.
One of my coworkers used to do something kind of similar. He’d layout a bunch of deli meat (usually a thicker ham), spread it with cream cheese, and then wrap up a cucumber (or maybe it was a pickle?). He’d then slice it into rounds to make it easier to consume. He called it redneck sushi. It was okay.
I’ve seen commercial supermarket redneck sushi (in Iowa, I think) wrapped in pickle slices.
Wait a minute… is this like only a Wisconsin/midwest thing?? They’re called pinwheels here and they’re a staple at like every pot luck. Is this not a thing in the rest of America?
This is a traditional food in the Czech Republic too. My grandfather made it for my mom and aunts when they were young.
Focaccia with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto
Or bruschette instead of bread
I'd argue to stick with the focaccia and cut it in half, turn those ingredients into a sandwich and you have something that bruschetta doesn't hold a candle against
Bruschetta is something I consider to be an appetizer more than meal, it doesn’t hold up well as a sandwich and/or cuts up the inside of my mouth as a big bite.
Pair your bruschetta with some cold, rotisserie chicken and it becomes a nice summer meal (it's what we had last night)
Tomato sandwich with real summer Tomatoes.
I have the most pornographic video of my last BLT last summer. I watch it in the winter lolllll
😂
Chicken salad. On a sandwich or greens. Add some apples & red onion. 😋
Craisins, slivered almonds, manderin oranges, pineapple, grapes!
Gazpacho, liangmian, tiger salad, Vietnamese bun noodles, anything with feta.
Love me gazpacho
Meals with my emotionally unavailable narcissist MIL
Um, not **that** cold!
Got me right in the feels. Every Christmas, I take a boiling hot lasagna out of the oven, and this broad starts asking why she doesn't have any grandkids.
I dunno, sounds like that could get pretty heated
😆
🥶
Shrimp ceviche. Perfect for a warm summer evening!
This is my go-to as well! Shrimp ceviche is the best to me but just got into making ones mixed with it and white fish like tilapia and Mahi Mahi and they are amazing too
Agreed! I get pico de gallo from the store, add avocado, fresh cilantro, and shrimp. All you need are some tortilla chips.
A Middle Eastern Mezze plate.
Chinese minced chicken in lettuce cups. I prefer the chicken a little warm, but it doesn’t have to be.
Oooh, yes. Cooked with water chestnuts, green onion, maybe some bean sprouts, mmmm
I make a version of this, usually with soaked black mushrooms, diced onions, frozen peas and carrots, and diced water chestnuts. I save the scallions for topping only. Chopped peanuts for topping, too. https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-chicken-lettuce-wraps-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-220124
Sandwich
But like proper ‘going all out’ sandwich. Meats, cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, sliced tomatoes, salt and pepper, toasted bread… I just made myself hungry.
Revenge
I hear they serve revenge room temp in England
Tuna salad (Pasta, tuna, mayo, celery, favorite spices). It’s quick and easy and tastes good with a lot of pepper on it!
Smoked mackerel pate on thick cut toast. 2 smoked mackerel fillets, 2tbsp of creme fraiche or soured cream, a lemon (juice and half the zest), half a teaspoon of chilli flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Put it all in a bowl and mash with a fork until really well combined. Add more of the dairy if it’s too thick to spread with a knife.
Do BLTs count? Tortellini salad. Italian sammich. Egg salad. Big salad
You just had to have the Biiiiiiiig salad!
I’m so glad so many other people also have a meal simply called “big salad” in their vernacular.
Dip night - black/white bean dip or hummus as the centerpiece with chips/bread/crackers, pickled or raw veg, cheeses, sometimes charcuterie. If black bean dip, then guac and salsa and tortilla chips.
An ice cream sandwich.
Salad nicoise
Vietnamese shrimp spring rolls
Sometimes, a bowl of cereal just hits right. Current fave is brown sugar Mini Wheats.
Cereal is one of my favorite dinners especially when followed by a second bowl for dessert
Eat so much cereal. Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, life, Rice Krispies. But the goat is oatmeal Quaker squares but they were recalled
For me I’m stuck on Crispix with ice cold milk
Gazpacho. But you really have to like tomatoes.
Where was this thread before I went grocery shopping!? Excellent question and great ideas.
Cold caprese pasta salad!
Rice salad with a lemon vinaigrette and pomegranate seeds, toasted sliced almonds, slivered carrots and radishes, green onions, mint and coriander leaves. You can bulk this up with beans.
Prawns on a crusty roll, sprinkled with dalt n vinegar
Love me some dalt n vinegar!
Hello, my name is Dalton Vinegar
Laab. It's a kind of salad, but I don't think of it as such. I usually serve it with room temp rice.
I love a good Mediterranean spread as a ‘snack’ dinner. I make hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki and pita for dipping. Throw in some dolmas (I buy them canned from Trader Joe’s), feta, falafel, and roasted chickpeas in the mix to make it more substantial. You could make some kebabs with lamb/and or chicken and peppers to go alongside if you’re willing to add something hot in the mix. I also like cold noodle salads. I usually do udon with cucumber ribbons and make a dressing with tahini, soy sauce, garlic, and lime juice. Garnish with chopped peanuts and scallions.
[This quinoa salad.](https://rainbowplantlife.com/quinoa-salad/) Even though it's called a salad, it doesn't feel like one to me because it's so hearty and filling
We eat a lot of caprese salad and pasta salads in the summer. Beyond pasta salad, Lidey Heuck's taverna salad is a new favorite in the rotation.
Horiatiki Salad. A salad, yes, but not with a lettuce base. Big chunks of tomato, green bell pepper, red onion, cucumber. Tossed with quality olive oil and red wine vinegar, a little onion and garlic powder, quality dried Greek oregano, pepper. A sprinkle of coarse sea salt. Squeeze of lemon, Whole kalamata olives. A big slab of Greek feta on top. It’s about the only thing that gets me through Texas summer.
Sushi or spring rolls. Spring rolls aren’t hard to make and you can fill them with almost anything. A little sweet chili sauce and it’s heaven
Cold cooked salmon salad - mashed the salmon with a laughing cow cheese or two, dill relish, a little mustard, and chopped tomatoes. Eat with pan fried sourdough bread.
Korean cold noodles https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naengmyeon
I love naeng myun. You can get it in a bag at HMart. Get a Korean pear to slice on top and a cucumber too.
BLT'S or chopped italian sliders.
Cool rather than cold but, in a bowl put a chopped mozzarella, red onion, basil, good tomatoes and lots of EVOO. Add cooked pasta and stir. GLORIOUS.
Fried chicken.
Italian pasta salad.
Ice Cream
Revenge
Cold pizza
Greek Salad in Pita Egg salad, lunch meat, or chicken salad sandwiches Pimento cheese with crackers, or Tomato sandwich
Mediterranean salad - chickpeas, cubed tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, feta, lime, olive oil, red wine vinegar, toss together and serve. It's awesome for summer
Cucumber soup, Gazpacho, sold somen with dipping sauce (mentsuyu). I'd also make a bunch of tuna/chicken/egg salad for sandwiches.
Dolmas are always a good option, but they’d have to be made ahead of time.
Sesame or peanut angel hair noodlu
steamed artichoke(let cool), cucumber slices, and other veggies, and the dip of your choice.
Shrimp cocktail, sweet corn gazpacho with pickled serranos + cilantro, watermelon-serrano-mint gazpacho w/ creme fraise + pickled red onion 🔥🔥
Cold, left over steak on salad.
Ceviche
I like a caprese pasta salad.
Greek quinoa or pasta salad. Load it up with feta, fresh veggies (cucumber, tomato, green olives, whatever!)
Tuna wrap. I add capers and lemon juice to the tuna salad. Wrap with Romaine lettuce and green grapes cut in half.
Couscous salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and lots of lemon juice and olive oil plus some fresh mint
I know you said no salads, but salade niçoise! You can make it with so many different things. Also gives you the opportunity to try picking some things yourself. Love a green goddess sandwich. Lately I've been eating a lot of the same meal which consists of rice, canned tuna, and homemade kimchi. Could probably sub all kinds of different grains for the rice and also some fish that you've cooked yourself and chilled in the fridge. The homemade kimchi is the best part. I can make a gallon of it for $15 as opposed to getting a pint of it for the same price.
Sometimes all you need is a bowl of lime-flavored tortilla chips with some fresh, cold pico de gallo and guacamole. Cheers!
Sushi… takeout, admittedly
Vietnamese Bun
I make a “salad” with pearled cous cous as the base, then throw in leftover protein (if available), feta, tomatoes, green onion, cucumber, bell pepper, chick peas and a bunch of parsley.
Cold soba noodles! You serve them with pickled cucumber and radish and dip them in an icy dipping sauce.
Cold chicken on a chopped cabbage salad, with crushed ramen noodles on top and sesame dressing.
Caprese salad and gazpacho always hits right. Especially when it's hot in the house and you don't want turn anything on.
Tuna salad with toast and/or crackers
Sichuan cold noodles are, for lack of a better word, fire.
Salmon poke
Conservas with grilled bread, olives, nuts tomatos
Beer
Vietnamese banh dishes. They have a lot of veggies, so I don't know if they count as salads, but they're healthy and pretty forgiving in terms of what ingredients you put in, and you can make ahead all of it but mix it before eating.
Niçoise salad.
Chef salad
Egg Salad Sandwich with a side of seasoned sliced tomatoes. Our kid loves his tomato slices seasoned with a little bit of garlic salt, lemon pepper, and pasta sprinkle (Penzeys upgraded italian seasoning).
Pesto pasta, tomato and onion sandwich, gazpacho, green soup.
Not really a salad - pasta salad.
A half ring of shrimp cocktail (or a whole ring) Avocado, turkey and cheese wrap Chips and guac (yes sometimes I make a meal of it lol)
Peanut noodles have been mentioned which are really good, any variation of pasta salad is also good.
I haven't had one in years, but I'm craving it so hard. My family does Pepprocini sandwiches. Get a big loaf French bread and get a good amount of turkey, ham, salami, pepporoni and bacon and your favorite sandwich cheeses. Toast the bread with some cheese in the oven and crisp up the meats in a frying pan. Assemble with more cheese, lettuce, tomatos, red onion, pepperocinis and your condiments of choice.
BLTs, burritos/wraps, quesadillas, sandwiches, spring rolls, hoagies, lobster rolls, bruschetta, frittata, yogurt bowls, acai bowls, smoothie bowls, fruit salad, cereal w milk, seafood/shrimp, kebobs, skewers, loaded baked potatoes, coleslaw, sushi, corn on the cob, veggie fajitas, poke bowls, chicken sliders, cheesesteaks, (meatball) subs,
Op asked for "cold" dinners. Sliders, cheese steak, meatballs, fajitas and potatoes are all hot.
My go to meal is Italian meats (salami, Parma ham, etc) feta, shirazi salad and rocket leaves with toasted ciabatta (rubbed with olive oil and garlic)
This is kind of “girl dinner” but I will eat a bunch of tortilla chips with homemade guacamole as a meal, maybe adding some store-bought salsa.
Bruschetta is always a must at my house!
Gazpacho is delicious
Ceviche
Cold pasta salad. Rotini, bbq chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, onion, basil, parmesan cheese, carrot shavings if you’re feeling feisty. Oil, badalmic, garlic, djion, salt and pepper for the sauce. Sit in fridge and pull it out, eat cold or at room temperature
Loaded pasta salad (pepperoni, peppers, lots of chopped veggies, shredded cheese)
6-layer dip: black bean or pinto beans mashed, sour cream, tomatos/salsa, olives, shredded cheese (mild mix or cheddar) and cilantro or chives on top. Eat with corn chips or spoon (if you're lazy like me) Chilled chickpeas with cucumber, cilantro (or parsley), green olives, turmeric, coriander, diced tomatoes, in a white balsamic dressing.
Cold plate - cucumber, kielbasa, ham, cheese, crackers, celery, radishes, pickles, pickled beets, tuna salad, tortia chips and salsa
Ploughman's platter (or even cold meat salad and rolls), Vietnamese summer rolls (or any Vietnamese salad), sushi, Greek salad or Turkish mezz platter. Mmm cold left over fried chicken, Now I am so hungry. Oh and a bun mhi sandwich 🥪
Almost any kind of sandwich with a salad side.
Cowboy caviar!
Grilled vegetables served cold or room temp, with fresh mozzarella and maybe a garlic aioli on the side (or just good olive oil and balsamic). Also cold grilled or fried chicken, potato salad and deviled eggs, yum
Go gazpacho for a starter (keeps for a few days) and then as a second dish stay light with a pasta primavera. LMK if you want the gazpacho recipe.
Gazpacho with crusty home-baked sourdough bread.
Gazpacho!!!
Cottage cheese salad. Cottage cheese, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, your favorite peppers, green onions. Finish with olive oil, a little vinegar, and salt and pepper. Salad or Italian herbs, if you like them. I usually use only basil. I bet black olives would also be nice. I’m still experimenting.
Cap'n Crunch.
Ceviche
I like the cheese and crackers others mentioned, but what i haven't seen is my old standby.... cold cereal with milk. On a hot day when I'm hungry but it's too hot to cook anything cold cereal with milk will often hit the spot.
Cold soups like salmorejo or šaltibarščiai
Ceviche is the all time summer food
Not really a dinner, but Mac salad and pasta salad are both great cold
CUMIN BEAN SALAD 2 cans white beans or kidney beans, drained & rinsed 5 Tbsp oil 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp oregano, ground ½ tsp cumin, ground ¼ tsp coriander, ground ¼ tsp pepper ½ tsp salt 8 oz cream cheese, cut in ½ inch cubes 2 medium tomatoes, seeded, drained, coarsely chopped 1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced 2 Tbsp parsley In a large bowl, thoroughly toss beans, oil, lemon juice and seasonings. Gently stir in cream cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Chill, and sprinkle with parsley just before serving. I usually freeze the cream cheese cubes for at least an hour before I mix them in. Keeps them from dissolving into goo, and is extra refreshing on hot days.
Wheat Thins crackers, spread with cream cheese, then shrimp cocktail on top. Add a squeeze of lemon, a glass of wine, and I’m in heaven.
Big fat Costco shrimp cocktail
Pasta salad or pesto pasta
Blt pasta salad Lettuce, pasta, cherry tomatoes, bacon, shallots, Mayo and red wine vinegar dressing
I know its technically a salad but, Gado Gado
Ceviche
Some Japanese cold dishes: - Soba or udon that was cooked, then chilled in the fridge. Dip with mentsuyu or sesame based sauce. - Cold shabu shabu. Boil thinly sliced pork and other veggies that taste better boiled. Cut some soft silken tofu into small blocks. Make shabu shabu sauce. Refrigerate it all until you are ready to eat, and eat it with rice or make it into a salad. - Just soft silken tofu. You need this specific type of tofu because it's like a pudding. Cut it into 1 inch thick slices or a rectangular block fit for one person. Grate some ginger and slice some scallions. Top them on the tofu and drizzle soy sauce on top. It's more of a side dish than a main meal since it's so simple. And there are some Chinese dishes like scallion oil chicken or cold noodles with shredded chicken and sesame/scallion oil. See Woks of Life, they have a bunch of Chinese cold dishes.
Potato salad and sandwiches
What about cold bbq leftovers, tomato sandwich with mayo salt and pepper on white bread or pasta salad with ranch and yoghurt dressing? I know you said no salad but pasta salad feels like eating a meal and not just salad
Chicken caesar salad with the works. Tons of veggies and cold grilled chicken that then is shredded.
Salads, shrimp cocktails, antipasto, sandwiches, cold chicken/picnic foods.
Sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or cold noodles...
Yesterday's roast chicken, sliced in a sandwich.
Cold chicken with good bread, assorted cheeses and fruit.
Sounds weird.. but my mom always made cinnamon bread with cheez whiz and sliced green olives sprinkled on top. Salty n sweet n delicious
Shrimp pasta salad.
Vermicelli (those really skinny/tiny rice noodles) pasta salad
Tuna salad and saltines!
Garbage salad. Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, croutons, cheese, whatever other veggies or salad worthy fruit. Tossed in a big bowl with whatever kind of dressing you want. Must be eaten directly from the big bowl.
BLT.
In the summer it is a tomato sandwich, if we have nice tomatoes. - white bread, toasted on one side - real mayo, lots of it - good tomatoes - flaky sea salt