How to Make Delicious Cold Dishes for Summer

Avocados can be part of a cool summer dish.

When it's too hot to cook or you want to prepare for meals ahead of time, the perfect solution is the cold dish. Cold food can be prepared the night before, or early in the morning, and stays tasty and delicious in your refrigerator for hours.

Things You'll Need

• Avocados with ham and mushroom salad:
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 4 radishes, sliced thin
• 1/3 cup water chestnuts, sliced thin
• 7 or 8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 3 large ripe avocados
• Lemon juice
• Lettuce (optional)
• Spicy cauliflower:
• 1 small head cauliflower, separated into flowerets
• 1/2 cup oil (olive or salad oil)
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 jar sliced pimentos, undrained (about 4 ounces)
• 2 large bowls

Instructions

Avocados With Ham and Mushroom Salad

1. Mix the ham, radishes, chestnuts, mushrooms and mayonnaise in a bowl.

2. Peel the avocados, cut in half lengthwise, and sprinkle a little lemon juice over each half.

3. Fill the avocado halves with the ham mixture and serve on a bed of lettuce. Garnish with parsley or watercress if desired.

Spicy Cauliflower

1. Mix the oil, vinegar, salt, sugar and hot pepper sauce in a large bowl.

2. Cut the cauliflower flowerets in half lengthwise and add to the oil mixture.

3. Add the pimentos and their liquid.

4. Stir gently to coat.

5. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight. Drain and serve on toothpicks as an hor d'oeuvre.

Tips & Warnings

• Think cold foods this summer, you'll be a lot happier than if you were slaving away over a hot stove.