This is a great recipe for days when you want to spend a minimum amount of time in the kitchen. Egg noodles are boiled and topped with a spicy dressing made with balsamic vinegar and hot chili oil (available at Asian markets). Serve Easy Szechuan-style Noodles hot or cold, and feel free to garnish them with sesame seeds and chopped green onion if desired.

Spicy salt and pepper shrimp makes an excellent appetizer or main meal. The deep-fried shrimp shells turn a wonderful orange color, and have a crunchy texture, while the spicy seasoning adds extra flavor. Leaving the shells on protects the shrimp meat inside, so that it tastes very tender. But don’t worry – eating the shells is strictly optional!
More Stir-fried Salt and Pepper Shrimp – a quick and easy stir-fry version

_{Salt and Pepper Shrimp Photo © copyright 2005 by Rhonda Parkinson, licensed to About.com, Inc}

Can anything beat a smoothie when the weather gets warm? Fruit smoothie recipes are a great way to take the edge off summer’s heat, whether you want a quick breakfast or a cool, refreshing afternoon snack. Made with silken tofu, Blueberry Tofu Smoothie combines the tart flavor of blueberries with sweet banana and honey. This Mango Smoothie recipe pairs mango and banana with lime juice and honey. And bubble tea fans will love this Bubble Tea Smoothie made with hot black tea and an assortment of fresh fruit.
_{Blueberry Tofu Smoothie photo © copyright by Rhonda Parkinson, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Even though this light dessert soup is considered to be a yang or warming food, it's perfect for warm summer days. Sweet Red Bean Soup uses red azuki (adzuki) beans and dried tangerine peel, sold in plastic bags in Chinese/Asian markets. Glutinous rice, also sold in Asian markets, adds texture.

_{Sweet Red Bean Soup photo © copyright by Rhonda Parkinson, licensed to About.com, Inc.}