Last week got convoluted, and things were juggled, but all meals were eaten and plans completed - one way or another.

Meals to keep the kitchen heat to a minimum

We’re in the thick , hazy days of summer here. I’m trying to keep cooking - and thus heating up the house - to a minimum.

Recipes included below for meals with an asterisk.

Sunday: Parents going out to a movie, grabbing a bite on the way, kids get pasta with red sauce.

Monday: Baseball. Chutney chicken salad* and snacky stuff at the game.

With three games this week, I’ll take a different approach every night.

Tuesday: Baseball. Pasta with cauliflower after the game.

Cauliflower is on sale this week. It’s one of my favorite vegetables and one of the few I can get into all the kids consistently.

Wednesday: Baseball, and Dad away. Hot dogs and salad before the baseball game.

A little boring, but I suspect we’ll have been at the beach most of the afternoon, so simple is good. If I find a good deal at the market, the hot dogs may even be bratwurst, which my boys love.

Thursday: Leftovers for the kids, farmer’s market meal for the parents.

There are plenty of leftovers for the kids to consume. The parents will eat later and the menu will depend on what is available at the farmer’s market. I’m hoping for some squash blossom fritters, sauteed pea shoots, and perhaps some grilled squash (grilled like I grill veggies for beef rollups). With a nice glass of wine, some candlelight on the porch, it’s practically a date.

Friday: Pasta carbonnara and salad.

Again, after a day probably spent at the beach, simple, simple, simple.

Saturday: Dinner on the beach with friends. Cold fried chicken and watermelon salad, and whatever they bring. Ice cream on the way home.

We’re seeing friends we haven’t seen in, literally, years. I’ll cook up the chicken the night before, throw together the watermelon salad at the last minute, and it should be lovely.

Chutney Chicken Salad

This is one of the few recipes we have from my late mother-in-law, in her writing, on the original recipe card. You could lighten it up by using half plain yogurt and half mayo.

3/4 c mayonnaise
1/2 c mango chutney
1/4 c raisins
1/2 c salted peanuts
1/2 c flaked coconut
2 c cooked chicken
1/4 tsp salt
1 avocado, sliced
2 bananas, sliced
Large lettuce leaves

Combine mayonnaise, chutney, raisins, peanuts, coconut and chicken. Arrange on a lettuce leaf with slices of avocado and banana.