Cool Cuisine

Every host likes her guests to think her menu is cool, but it becomes even more important during a party such as this one. If it's really hot outside, your guests may not feel like eating at all, but make sure that they stay hydrated in the mid-day heat with plenty of water and ice-cold lemonade. If they do work up a hunger, though, try serving up our Chilly Chili, Peanut Butter Noodles and A Cool Pool for a meal that's truly made in the shade.

CHILLY CHILI

Slaving over a hot stove is the last thing you want to do in the summer. But this quick, cool and easy salad is a terrific alternative for bean aficionados.

1 19-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 1/2-oz. can white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup cooked corn kernels
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
3 medium plum tomatoes, diced
1 red pepper, diced

VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 medium garlic clove, minced

In a large bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients. Add the chili ingredients, then toss thoroughly. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Serves four to six.

PEANUT BUTTER NOODLES

My friend Adrienne passed along this recipe to me. I don't know if it's the lure of twirling noodles or the taste of the peanut butter, but my kids ask for it by name.

1 lb. linguini
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
5 tbsp. rice-wine vinegar
5 tsp. sesame oil
5 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
1 small garlic clove, minced
4 scallions, trimmed and cut

Cook the linguini, then drain it and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl, blend together the peanut butter, vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger and garlic. Add the linguini, toss well, then garnish with scallions. Serve at room temperature. Serves 4 to 6.

A COOL POOL

Guests will want to dive right into this dessert, which does double duty as the centerpiece.

2 large pkgs. of blueberry gelatin
Vanilla wafer cookies
Canned frosting
Sugar wafer cookies
Gummy ring candies, red whip licorice and Life Savers candies
Fruit Leather (optional)

The amount of gelatin you need will depend on the size of the bowl you use. Here, we use a 2-quart glass bowl, so 2 large packages of gelatin (or 8 cups liquid) did the trick. Prepare the gelatin in your bowl according to the directions and refrigerate until set. Secure a row of vanilla wafer cookies around the rim of the bowl using frosting. Leave room for a diving board, made by gluing together sugar wafer cookies with frosting. For life rings, use gummy ring candies, and for a lane marker, use licorice whip strung with Life Saver floats. To make a raft, cut a rectangular strip of fruit leather. Serves eight to 10.