Editors' Picks

15 Genius No-Cook Recipes for the Dog Days

Every week, Food52's Executive Editor Kristen Miglore is unearthing recipes that are nothing short of genius, but this week she's handing over the reins to Riddley.

Today: Don't turn on the stove—seriously. 

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The kitchen's hot. The kind of heat that sticks on your neck and fills the whole house, holding the air conditioner hostage. You want to make food, though. And we understand. That's what we want, too. Thankfully, with genius recipes like these, no-cook never looked better. Whether you're whisking leftover red wine into a vinaigrette or blending bananas into ice cream, here are 15 reasons not to turn on the stove. 

Engin Akin's Turkish Radish and Herb Salad (Anatolian Gypsy Salad)

 

Roberto Santibañez' Classic Guacamole

 

April Bloomfield's Lemon Caper Dressing

 

Joaquín Simó's Pearls Before Swine (A Yogurt Cocktail)

 

Molly Wizenberg & Brandon Pettit's Red Wine Vinaigrette 

 

Patricia Wells' Zucchini Carpaccio with Avocado and Pistachios

 

Richard Olney's Fresh Fig and Mint Salad

 

Allen Miglore's Caesar Salad

 

Viana La Place's Umbrian Black Olive Panino

 

Crook's Corner's Green Peach Salad

 

Jeffery Morgenthaler's Grasshopper Shake

 

Nigella Lawson's One-Step, No-Churn Coffee Ice Cream

 

The Kitchn's One-Ingredient Ice Cream

 

Saveur's Yogurt Whipped Cream

 

The River Café's Strawberry Sorbet

Got a genius recipe to share—from a classic cookbook, an online source, or anywhere, really? Please send it my way (and tell me what's so smart about it) at [email protected]

Photos by James Ransom, Mark Weinberg, Joey De Leo, Jennifer Causey, and Sarah Shatz

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From our new podcast network, The Genius Recipe Tapes is lifelong Genius hunter Kristen Miglore’s 10-year-strong column in audio form, featuring all the uncut gems from the weekly column and video series. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss out.

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See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Chuck Sams
    Chuck Sams
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
    Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
I fall in love with every sandwich I ever meet.

3 Comments

Chuck S. July 24, 2015
these are for lazy arse people......... maids day off...........
 
AntoniaJames July 15, 2015
So pleased to see Crook’s Corner Peach Salad on this list! I make it constantly. It’s really beautiful when made with white peaches, or a combination of the two. Here’s the white only: https://instagram.com/p/r2moH4GB9w/?taken-by=howmothercooks
Another clever hot-weather option is this Jenny Steinhauer-approved “cold sauce.” https://food52.com/recipes/5582-cold-sauce It’s essentially a cold-brewed tomato sauce made scrumptious with heaps of fresh basil and crushed garlic. We love it! ;o)
 
Riddley G. July 15, 2015
And what a wonderful sauce it is! Thank you for the reminder to make it very, very soon.