There is a surprisingly wide range of foods that can be made without cooking and, according to proponents of raw food diets, there are many health benefits to eating more raw foods. Heating destroys many of the nutrients in vegetables, for example, so if you avoid cooking you get more vitamins and minerals in your diet. Cutting down on the amount of cooking you do can also be a great energy saver and helps keep your house cool when it's hot.
Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a traditional Spanish cold soup served widely as a starter or a light meal during Spain's hot summers. There are various recipes, but the basic ingredients are tomato, cucumber, onion, celery, garlic and spices. "A Dinner A Day" recommends using Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, along with salt and pepper. You blend all the ingredients, adding tomato juice or, if desired, bread crumbs, to reach the desired texture, then serve well-chilled.
Salads
Salads are incredibly versatile and can be a starter, side dish, main meal or even dessert. Using pre-packaged greens makes salads even easier, according to "Simply Salads," and is a great way to experiment with a wide variety of vegetables. Traditional toppings include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and carrots, and you can experiment with radishes, beets, squash, corn, mushrooms, beets, fennel and more. Nuts, seeds and fresh herbs are great ways to add flavor and texture.
Smoothies
Smoothies range from sweet treats to a virtual meal in a glass, and "Super Smoothies" notes they can be incredibly nutritious. If you make them with fresh fruits and vegetables they offer a quick hit of vitamins and minerals and can help boost your immune system, fight fatigue or refuel after a workout. You can use milk, juice or non-dairy milk such as soy or rice milk as a base for fruit shakes using bananas, peaches, berries and so forth. Additions such as whey protein, oatmeal or linseed boost nutrition.
Raw Cookies
Raw cookies might sound like a contradiction in terms, but you can make delicious dessert treats without turning on your oven. According to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw" the secret is in the ingredients -- rather than using eggs, butter and flour, raw cookies rely on ingredients such as dried fruit, nuts, shredded coconut, nut butters and fruit juices, giving them a richer, more dense consistency. Some raw cookies call for using a food dehydrator, but many can simply be refrigerated.
