The first truly hot day of summer changes more than the weather. It changes what’s for dinner. Suddenly the thought of standing over a simmering pot for hours feels less appealing, while pasta salad, fresh fruit and anything served straight from the refrigerator start sounding like the perfect meal.
There is actually some science behind that shift. When temperatures rise, our bodies work harder to regulate internal temperature. Digestion naturally generates heat, which is one reason heavy meals can feel especially uncomfortable during a hot summer day.
As a result, many people find themselves reaching for foods that feel lighter and contain a higher percentage of water. That’s when we tend to reach for summer favorites like watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, berries and even leafy greens that contribute to hydration while providing a refreshing crunch.
Our cooking habits change too. During the colder months, many of us happily spend hours roasting, braising and baking. In summer, however, the goal often becomes keeping the kitchen cool. That’s why recipes like pasta salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, no-bake desserts and fresh summer spring rolls become seasonal staples. They require little cooking, can often be prepared ahead of time and are easy to enjoy indoors or outside.
Many cultures have developed dishes specifically designed for warm weather. Spain has gazpacho, a chilled soup. Across Asia, cold noodle dishes provide a refreshing alternative to steaming bowls of soup. Mediterranean cuisine embraces fresh vegetables, herbs and yogurt-based dishes that feel light while still being satisfying.
Whether it’s a simple tomato sandwich, a bowl of pasta salad or a platter of fresh summer rolls, the foods we crave this time of year remind us that good meals don’t have to be heavy or complicated. Sometimes the best summer cooking is simply letting fresh ingredients shine.
One of my favorite examples is a Vietnamese-style summer roll. Packed with crisp vegetables and fresh herbs, and wrapped in delicate rice paper, these rolls are colorful, refreshing and surprisingly filling. Best of all, they require very little cooking and won’t heat up the kitchen on an already warm day.
Vietnamese-Style Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Makes 8–10 rolls
Ingredients:
Summer Spring Rolls
Optional additions:
Peanut Sauce:
Instructions:
Channing Fullaway-Johnson is a culinary coordinator at Lincoln Land Community College.
Lincoln Land Community College offers credit programs in Hospitality and Culinary, and non-credit cooking and food classes through LLCC Community Education.
Cooking or food questions? Email epicuriosity101@llcc.edu.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Why summer heat changes what you want for dinner
Reporting by Channing Fullaway-Johnson, Special to the State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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By Channing Fullaway-Johnson, Special to the State Journal-Register | USA TODAY Network
