Pot-Luck Dishes
Slaws
Fruit salad is fun, but why not try something new and different? For a just-as-colorful treat, use a spiralizer to shred red cabbage and make it into a purple slaw using your favorite coleslaw recipe -- something more classic like mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, or add something to spice it up like dijon mustard, or cumin and jalapeño.
Prep is easy (see how our lead engineer, Mack, makes slaw here(Opens in a new window))- some quick slicing, shredding and whisking, then you're ready to go. No sauteeing, baking, or sweating.
OXO products that can help:
- Spiralizer(Opens in a new window)
- Complete Grate & Slice(Opens in a new window)
- 11" Balloon Whisk(Opens in a new window)
Skewers
You would be surprised by how put-together and impressive it can look when all you really did was put a bunch of food on a stick. Alternate between grape tomatoes, basil leaves, and little balls of mozzarella tossed in a vinaigrette, and just like that you have a beautiful, delicious, and unique appetizer for any summer gathering.
For a more colorful twist, head to the grocery store or farmer's market and get a rainbow of raw veggies to skewer for snacking.
OXO products that can help:
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers can come in all shapes and sizes, but mixing hummus with fresh herbs, or goat cheese, thyme and sesame seeds, and putting it inside sweet mini peppers can make it seem like you slaved over this app for hours when really you could throw it together in just a few minutes. Bite-sized apps, bite-sized prep time. (And if you're in a pinch, plain hummus in mini peppers still looks cute and saves snackers the dipping step!)
OXO products that can help
- Baker's Decorating Tool(Opens in a new window) (This isn't a typo! If you skip the onions you can use the filling injector tip that comes with the Decorating Tool to fill your peppers instead of fussing with a plastic bag!)
- Vegetable Chopper with Easy-Pour Opening(Opens in a new window)
Main Dishes
Ceviche
Ceviche is a game-changer. It's basically magic (okay fine, it's science) but all you need are scallops - or diced red snapper, tilapia, or any firm fish - and you "cook" it by soaking it in lime juice. Then you add any flavorings you want - onion, tomato, pepper and cilantro are the most common.
OXO products that can help:
- Herb Mincer(Opens in a new window)
- Chef's Mandoline Slicer 2.0(Opens in a new window)
- Over-the-Corner Colander(Opens in a new window)
Veggie Noodles
For an aesthetically pleasing twist on a classic dish, try replacing your greens with veggie noodles using zucchini, golden beets or carrots. Mix up the mix-ins, adding avocado and tomato or goat cheese and pomegranate. You can even add a honey and vinegar dressing to spiralized cucumbers for a refreshing new dish.
OXO products that can help:
- Swivel Peeler(Opens in a new window) or 3-Blade Hand-Held Spiralizer(Opens in a new window) (The Tabletop Spiralizer is great for making larger batches, but if you're making a dish for just one or two, the Hand-Held Spiralizer is the perfect size!)
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set(Opens in a new window)
- Twist & Pour Salad Dressing Shaker(Opens in a new window) (Skip the whisk for this one!)
And now you have a whole stockpile of oven-free meals for all your summer days (and nights). If it's no-bake desserts you're looking for, we have some ideas for that too here(Opens in a new window) and here(Opens in a new window), including ice cream sandwiches, trifles and other red, white, and blue treats you can make.