​Cool Recipes for When It's Hot Outside

Turning on the stove, or the oven, is the last thing anyone wants to be doing when it's hot outside. That’s what makes summer such a great time of year for simple, or no-bake, recipes. Less is actually more.

Instead of suffering in a hot kitchen, go dip your toes in the pool.

No pool? No worries. The Seaside Cape Cod Wicker Picnic Basket is great for any destination, poolside or otherwise. I love how sturdy this basket is, and how conveniently it stores everything for a fun meal. There’s a spot for your plates, wine glasses, and flatware, all which is included. There’s also an insulated compartment for keeping food (or drinks) cold.

Every outdoor activity is bound to be a whale of a time with this festive bottle opener by True Fabrications. It’s just asking to be taken to the beach. But it’s right at home wherever you and your friends gather. Just be sure to have plenty of cold beverages on hand!

Remember, picnics don’t have to be fancy. A quick stop to the farmers market and you are off! One of my picnic staples is this fun twist on a caprese salad. All you need are some toothpicks (cocktail spears work better), some cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella ciliegine. Of course, don’t forget the olive oil or balsamic glaze.

Skewer a cherry tomato with a cocktail spear. Take a large basil leaf and fold it in half. Poke one end of the leaf with the skewer, then add the mozzarella, and fold over the other side of the basil leaf. It should appear that the cherry-sized mozzarella is wrapped in basil. Secure the leaf by adding on another tomato. Then simply drizzle the skewer with olive oil, balsamic, and sprinkle with salt and cracked black pepper.

Whatever produce you don’t use up on your picnic can easily be stored in these great Creative Co-Op Stoneware Baskets when you get back home. They are wonderful for fresh produce you get from the farmers market, or even your own garden

This time of year mine are filled with ripe tomatoes, fresh figs, or any stone fruit I can get my hands on.

Every outdoor activity is bound to be a whale of a time with this festive bottle opener by Seaside. It’s just asking to be taken to the beach. But it’s right at home wherever you and your friends gather. Just be sure to have plenty of cold beverages on hand!

Another picnic favorite are my no-bake raspberry cheesecake squares. With their crumbly graham cracker crust, you won’t believe just how easy they are to make. You’ll need 3 cups of crushed graham crackers. I suggest doing this yourself as the less uniform the crumbs are, the more crumbly the result. Mix the graham cracker crumbs with 2 tablespoons of sugar and ½ cup of melted butter, until just combined.

Using a stand mixer, combine 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, ⅓ cup sugar, ⅓ cup cream, and whip on low until fluffy. Add in 6 ounces of fresh raspberries and mix until the raspberries have just broken apart. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of gelatin or xanthan gum, and mix until combined.

Line a 9 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper so that it overhangs on the sides. Add half of the cracker mixture, pressing it down firmly with a spatula to create a firm crust. Add in the cream cheese mixture, doing the same. Then top with the remaining graham cracker mix, and press that down too. Place the pan in the freezer for two hours before cutting into it.

These bars are a great dessert for almost any occasion. I suggest cutting them into 1-inch squares for the perfect bite-sized dessert.

Now you are ready for a fun day at the beach or under a shady tree at the park. Anywhere but a hot kitchen!