News Flash: It’s hot outside, and it has been for weeks. According to the local weatherman, we aren’t getting a break any time soon. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to find the motivation to cook dinner when it’s this hot. Lately, my husband and I have been resorting to take-out, fast food drive thrus and, occasionally, a bowl of cold cereal for dinner.

I have a better idea! Rather than slaving away in a sweltering kitchen or braving the heat to throw something on the grill, order a refreshing salad from one of our partner restaurants. Here are a few of my favorites that will help you beat the heat in the coming weeks.

800 Degrees Pizza’s Mista Salad: During my first visit to 800 Degrees, I sampled this salad and fell in love. Mixed baby greens, toasted pine nuts, tomato, carrots, cucumber, red onion, shaved fennel, parmesan cheese, and house-made rice wine vinaigrette, combined in a big bowl

Baker Street’s Wedge Salad: Whenever a wedge salad is available on a restaurant’s menu, I order it, and Baker Street does it just right. Iceberg lettuce topped with bacon, red onions, tomatoes, and candied walnuts finished with bleu cheese dressing.

Black Dog Pub’s Cobb Salad: Almost every restaurant in town features a Cobb Salad, but what makes Black Dog’s unique is the option to substitute salmon for chicken for just $2.50 more. The call it The Florida Keys Cobb. Yum! Mixed greens, cheese, eggs, tomatoes, bleu cheese crumbles, grilled chicken (or salmon) and croutons, with your choice of dressing on the side.

Casa Ristoranti Italiano’s Chop Chop Insalata: My husband doesn’t even have to ask. When we order Casa’s, he knows to order this salad for me. I love the tangy dressing and gorgonzola cheese, all mixed up with salami, olives, and tomatoes. It’s making my mouthwatering as I type. Crisp chopped lettuce, genoa salami, baked ham, provolone cheese, peas, Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, and sundried tomatoes, with freshly grated parmesan and crumbled gorgonzola cheeses, tossed with Casa dressing.

Don Hall’s Factory’s Blackened Wedge: See, I told you. If a restaurant has a wedge salad, I have to order it, and this one ranks right up there with Baker Street’s. Plus, it has bacon! Blue cheese dressing, sliced tomatoes, smoke bacon, fresh parsley, and choice of blackened sirloin or salmon.

Firefly Coffee House’s Thai Peanut Salad: I go for this one because I love the dressing. I am always leery when a non-Thai restaurant attempts Thai-anything, but they get it right. Roasted red peppers, green onions, ripe and sundried tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, cucumbers, chopped peanuts, greens and spinach, tossed in Thai Peanut dressing.

Granite City’s Honey Rosemary Steak Salad: I tried this on a whim a few months back and I’ve been hooked ever since.  Usually, I am not a fan of steak on my salad, but I make an exception here. 8 ounce honey rosemary steak and spring greens, tossed in a balsamic dressing with bleu cheese crumbles, balsamic tomato onion relish and grilled herb focaccia croutons.

The Salad Club’s Summer Salad: Full disclosure, I am a big fan of fruit on my salad, but trust me, this salad rocks. It’s the perfect way to beat the heat and enjoy all the flavors of summer. Romaine lettuce, fresh berry mix, apple slices, dried cranberries, and sprinkles of almonds, topped with a sweet raspberry vinaigrette.

About the Author:

Amber Recker is a non-profit leader, freelance writer, community volunteer, and food blogger. By day, she serves as the director of development and marketing for Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, where she handles fundraising, marketing, and public relations. In her spare time, she and her husband Jon spend time in the kitchen and maintain their food blog: thegingerkitchen.com. They have two Great Danes, Lucy and Lenora, who keep them on their toes.

Amber’s website: http://thegingerkitchen.com