Weekly Meal Plan: Dinners That Don’t Involve Much Cooking

California roll bowl on a blue background.

Do you know what, I think we’re in for a really, really hot summer. So, without further ado here are five delicious, and easy ideas for weeknight cooking that barely involve any cooking and don’t involve turning the oven on at all for those evenings for when you want something delicious without heating up the house even more!

Monday: Cold Cucumber Soup with Yogurt and Dill

Honestly, when it is blisteringly hot don’t knock cold soup for dinner – this is one of the best hot-weather suppers I made last year, and whilst yes, the optional almond, chilli, sesame and honey crunch on top makes this a rather special dinner, the blender soup is just as tasty without, and that does not involve any heat at all!

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

The slow cooker is a great low energy, low heat option for getting dinner going in advance, and sometimes nothing can beat a classic pulled pork sandwich – I’ve also included my classic coleslaw recipe to go with.

Rice bowl with fresh crab drizzled with creamy yogurt dressing.

Wednesday: Deconstructed California Roll Bowls

Inspired by the classic sushi bowl, and made with delicious fresh crab, all you need to cook for these California Roll Bowls is the sushi rice – which, as you’re enjoying it cold anyway – you can make ahead during the coolest part of the day. Also, you’ll want to make extra of the miso yogurt sauce as it makes a great summer salad dressing!

Thursday: Mango Chutney Chicken & Rice Bowls

Okay, so you do have to quickly cook the chicken in a griddle pan for this one, but paired with juicy mango, a homemade coriander and coconut chutney, and paired with microwave pouch rice which cooks in just moments without a pan letting warm, humid steam out into the kitchen? I’d call that a massive dinnertime win, and you can always make extra whilst you are cooking something to take to work as a packed lunch the next day.

Friday: Sardine and Pea Shoot Bruschetta

Juicy, seasonal tomatoes have started to arrive which signals the start of bruschetta season – make it a dinner by quickly frying some sardines to lay on top for a delicious fish-on-friday supper.

Everyone seems to be planning picnics at the moment, so a few dishes you can assemble one out of this weekend: Honey Mustard Sausage Rolls, Devilled Egg Potato Salad, Syrian Bulgur Wheat Salad, Jewish Potato Salad, Garland Sharing Sausage Roll with Quails Eggs, French Onion Quiche, Deli Counter Pasta Salad, Korean Green Iced Tea, Even Better Homemade Lemonade, Vegetarian Kimbap, Mushroom & Pearl Barley Sausage Rolls, Spicy Tinned Tuna Rolls.

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