IDEAS FOR WHEN IT’S TOO HOT TO COOK

When the heat of the summer bears down on us, cooking can begin to lose its appeal. The oven heats up the home too much, and warm food can sometimes seem unappealing. But you don’t have to settle for the same old salad or boring sandwich. There are options to fix a great meal with no or minimal cooking.

Pasta salads are an easy way to get a good meal on the table, and you can make them to satisfy any craving. First, cook up a bunch of pasta— penne, spiral, or bowtie pastas are great options because their shape and texture lets ingredients cling to them. Italian dressing is the standard to bind and flavor pasta salad, but ranch or green goddess will 

give your salad a different tanginess. Chop up your favorite veggies and meats to add texture and taste. Feta or goat cheese is also a good addition.

Here’s an easy recipe to try: Prepare 8 ounces of pasta as directed on the box and let cool. Peel as much meat as desired from a cooled rotisserie chicken and add it to the cooled pasta in a large bowl. Add chopped cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Throw in some cherry tomatoes and black olives. Crumble some feta cheese into the bowl or add small, marinated mozzarella balls. Mix everything together with one cup of Italian dressing and add salt and pepper to taste if desired.

And on Wednesday, August 9^th at 6:30 p.m., bring your appetite, because dinner’s on us! We’ll be having our neighborhood BBQ in the central park court. If you’d like to bring a dessert to share, please do so. Since the BBQ will be catered, please RSVP with a phone call or email to the office.

Autumn Cove wants to help you maintain your active lifestyle! If you have any service requests, you can submit them using the online Service Manager at www.autumncoveMHC.com and we’re always happy to hear from residents at 208-522-3807 or Amy@thebostongroup.us.