NO-COOK MEALS FOR A POWER OUTAGE

No Stove, No Fridge, No Problem

Discover 10 easy meal ideas for power outages, motel rooms, dorms or camping.

It's mostly salads and sandwichs when it comes to no-cook meals.

GUACAMOLE DIP

You will need 3-4 ripe avocados, 1/2 red onion finely chopped, 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and finely chopped, 2 cloves of garlic minced and 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro leaves chopped. Salt to taste.

Mix together in a large mixing bowl and cover. Let sit for at least 1 hour to blend the flavors. Juice half a lime over the bowl before serving.

Serve with nachos or toast.

NO-COOK FINGER FOODS

Cold cut platter for a hot day, camping or picnic. Cheese, crackers, cold cuts, fruits, veggies, nuts, buns, bread rolls or wraps.

SALSA

Use 2 cans of 10 oz diced tomatos, 1 jalapeno cored with seeds removed, 1/2 yellow onion chopped and 1 heaping handful cilantro leaves. Mix together well in a large bowl.

GARDEN SALAD

A simple salad consists of a combination of sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatos, bell peppers, sliced red onions and leafy green lettuce. Great for those with a garden. Dressing is simple olive oil and vinegar. Easy to make dressing is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil with a sprinkle of herbs. A can of tuna or salmon is optional.

CHICKEN SALAD

Rotisserie chicken and canned fish are the staples of easy no-cook meals.

Take 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast, 1 stalk celery chopped finely, 1 hard boiled egg chopped, 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, 3/4 cup mayo, salt and pepper. Mix all together in a large bowl. Serve on toast, lettuce or make a sandwich.

CHICKEN SANDWICH

Keep the kitchen cool. Picnic outside. Pre-cooked breaded chicken breast or cold cuts sandwich on a bun with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and sliced dill pickles.

Chicken sauce is 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup hickory smoke barbeque sauce, 2 tablespoons mustard, 2 tablespoons honey and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

SALMON AVOCADO SALAD

Mix 1 can of salmon with 1 avocado, 2 chopped green onions and 2 large tablespoons of mayo or yogurt. For extra flavor toss in some finely diced pickles. Serve on lettuce, toasted bread, crackers or in a wrap. Substitute tuna or cooked chicken if you like.

CHICKPEA SALAD

To create the Mediterranean chickpea salad you will need a large bowl. Add to the bowl 2 (15 ounce) cans of chickpeas, 1 cucumber diced, 1 red bell pepper diced, 2 cups of cherry tomatos cut in half, 1/4 red onion diced, feta cheese, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss all ingredients together and serve or store for up to 5 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

WATERMELON FETA CHEESE AND MINT SALAD

Appetizer or meal for a hot day. Just watermelon, feta cheese and mint leaves.

HUMMUS VEGGIE WRAPS

Using whole-grain wraps or tortillas, spread the hummus generously over the wrap. The easiest hummus recipe requires just three main ingredients: 1 can of chickpeas, 1/4 cup tahini, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Mash all the ingredients in a bowl then spread the hummus on to the wraps. Next pile on your veggies like sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and leafy greens.

PEANUT BUTTER JAM SANDWICH

No-cook meals are fast and simple like the peanut butter and jam sandwich. Add honey and banana on cinnamon raisin bread for more flavor. Easy breakfast meal while camping or anytime.

GREEK YOGURT PARFAIT

Start with yogurt then layer with fruit, granola, berries and drizzle with honey. Chia seeds and nuts optional. Portable treat for camping or hiking.

Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious no-cook meal options that allow you to spend more time enjoying life and less time preparing food. These meals are not only easy to prepare but also nutritious and satisfying.