On hot days, grilling is always a nice way to keep the kitchen cool!
Here's one of my standby recipes - I've posted it before, but I think it's been a couple of years:
jkath's Summer Salad
3-4 cooked chicken breasts, cubed
1 bag red seedless grapes, each cut into halves (if you're that eager)
1 bag frozen peas, thawed
1 large bag (I use Ready-Pak) fresh spinach
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 small bag pasta, cooked, drained & cooled*
2 jars artichoke hearts, drained & rinsed
2+ large english cucumbers, peeled & cubed
3+ green onions, sliced
(*I use whatever I have on hand - tri color spirals are cute, or anything with a good shape)
Mix all ingredients together in LARGE bowl. Keep for up to 4 days after making. (Day 2 is always better!) Add dressing to each individual bowl of salad.
Dressing:
½ c. sugar
½ c. apple cider vinegar
3/4 c. canola oil
pepper to taste
Boil sugar and vinegar in microwave till boiling. (2 minutes on high will usually do it). Add oil and pepper; mix well. Refrigerate till cold in bottle. Shake extremely well before every use.