Savor fresh, easy foods and beat the heat

Last month it seems we were freezing and this month we're hot. I'm already tired of the heat and when it's this hot I feel it's too hot to cook.

It's time to lighten up, both your eating and cooking. Make it easier on yourself and think grab and go and fresh. Lots of fresh fruit, veggies, salads, eggs (hard boiled, scrambled and fried).

Sandwiches are a must this time of year especially with all the fresh tomatoes that are just starting to show up at the farmers markets. There are so many wonderful seasonal vegetables available. If you just simply grill a few, fix a salad, and have some fresh sliced fruit and a nice loaf of bread you've got a meal with leftovers, if you plan it right.

Salads are so delicious with everything in season right now. Make them a meal and start using your own salad dressing. It takes no time at all to make. Practice pouring olive oil, vinegar and salt and pepper on your salads and branch out from there.

Here are some tips for making your own.

When it comes to dressings, anything goes. Oil is the most important part of a good dressing. If you like a sweeter dressing use flavored vinegars, seasoned rice vinegar, balsamic or use a little sugar. If you're partial to mustard, why not add some? Don't dress a green salad until ready to serve, so you preserve the freshness. When dressing a more robust salad, such as potato, it's a good idea to add the dressings while the vegetables are still hot.

One simple dressing is to combine three-parts oil with one-part vinegar (or lemon juice). Remember that salt does not dissolve in oil, so start making a dressing by whisking a small quantity of salt with the vinegar or lemon juice. When the salt is dissolved, whisk in the oil. Add pepper and finely chopped herbs such as chives, parsley, basil or thyme.

On a last note I want to tell you about the Chairs for Chair-ity in the picture today. If you want to support a wonderful event and have a good time, come to Adele's this evening for The Concert Under the Stars with Sons of Champlin. The event is a benefit for the Greenhouse Project (www.carsoncitygreenhouse.org).

If you don't want to cook or can't stay for the concert, stop by and pick up something to eat from Molly's, bid on the silent auction items and our unique Chairs for Chair-ity that were all donated by various civic minded individuals throughout our wonderful community.

• Linda Marrone has been a Carson City resident since 1973 and together with her husband, Ralph, formerly operated Marrone's Restaurant in Carson City and Somethin's ' Catering.