Has the heat killed your appetite?  It’s definitely dented mine.  Try reviving it with a cool salad.  No, not a bowl of iceberg & bleu cheese from a salad bar, nor indifferently dressed baby greens, nor a McDonald’s Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken (600 calories, including dressing & croutons–almost double the calories in a cheeseburger; avoid fast-food salads at all costs).

I’m talking about a righteous salad, like the goi ga at Pho Tau Bay in Gretna.  Shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, mint, holy basil, crispy shallots, chopped peanuts, shredded carrots, and tender chicken breast, dressed in a gentle, garlicky rice vinagrette.  Each bite reveals different flavors & textures, always with a cooling crunch.  The perfect accompaniment:  freshly pressed, lightly sweetened lemonade.

Or stick a fork into Tartine’s tuna nicoise, a plate overflowing with marinated green beans, roasted tomato slices, roasted red peppers, olives, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, freshly baked baguette slices, anchovies, and enough delicious tuna to meet your protein requirements for several days, all piled atop fresh romaine.  It’s fun to construct bites of varying flavor & texture, mixing the components from one forkful to the next.

I will confess:  the easiest way to revive my flagging appetite isn’t with salad, it’s a pizza from Domenica.  It’s never too hot for pizza, especially when covered in capers, olives, and spicy salumi.  Aren’t the charred spots on the crust just gorgeous?

I’m a bit disappointed this morning:  I forgot my leftover pizza in the restaurant yesterday.  I could be eating it, cold for breakfast right now.  Sigh…cold pizza:  now that’s the way to beat the heat.