As signs of Spring begin to appear, I am already thinking of Summer and what kind of meals I can come up with that my whole family will enjoy. Summer means busy in our house, and spending hours in the kitchen preparing meals, cooking, and cleaning do not thrill me. I also have a secret goal to use the oven less in the summer because it is already so hot, and the oven just adds to it. One of the best ways to cook in the summer is to the cookout. I am lucky enough to have a husband who loves to grill so I can basically just leave the meat to him and then plan a couple of simple side dishes and we are set to go. One of our favorite things to do with meat on the grill is to marinate it before we cook it. It adds a nice flavor and touch to the meal. It might require a little bit of planning ahead but it is definitely worth the extra effort!
Another easy dinner idea is cold-cut sandwiches, a veggie platter, and a cool dessert like Jell-O. Many times we fix things like this for parties, but why not for a quick and easy dinner? My kids love lunchmeat and raw veggies, so this would be a family treat! Don’t forget the chips and dip though!! The great thing about making such a simple dinner is that you can easily let your kids help you prepare the meal.
Another great dinner would be to serve all veggies. There are all kinds of ways you could serve your veggies… grilled, steamed, raw, fried… Just be careful that when you are grilling them, you pick veggies that won’t fall through the cracks! One of my mom’s favorite recipes to make is Fried Green Tomatoes (recipe follows), just be prepared to open the house and let the smoke out when you make them 😉 she always had to!!
Don’t forget pasta salads and fruit salads. Both are easy to make and are sure to please in the summer months. And if you really desire a hot meal, consider digging your crockpot out and cooking with it. It will give you the hot meal you desire without heating your entire kitchen up!
To top off your delicious summer meal, gather some pretty flowers, toss them in a vase or pitcher with some water and place them on the dining room table. Or to make dinner really special one night, take a big ol’ blanket, lay it outside on the ground in your yard, and have a picnic!! The kids will love the change of pace and think you are the coolest!!
One time-saver suggestion I have for you is to use paper and plastic for your meals. It saves on running the dishwasher which saves on water, soap, electricity and most importantly in my book, saves on time!! Especially during those months when you are constantly on the go. Make it easy for yourself! You can use the nice dinnerware any night! But when you are rushed, don’t feel bad about using paper and plastic. I look at it this way, would I rather spend a half-hour or 45 minutes cleaning up after dinner or spend that time relaxing with my family (or going to various activities)? The choice is simple. I even go so far as to use *gasp* paper towels when we do cold cut sandwiches etc.
The goal is to simplify your menu, your cooking routine, and your cleanup (and being creative and having fun at the same time is a bonus!)
Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- 1/3 C. flour
- 1/3 C. cornmeal
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (optional)
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 3 large green tomatoes, sliced 1/2 inch thick
- 1 C. canola oil
Directions:
Mix all the dry ingredients. Rinse and slice tomatoes. Heat oil in a skillet on Medium Heat. Dip tomatoes in a dry mixture. When the oil is hot, drop tomatoes in oil (oil should just cover tomatoes).
Turn tomatoes occasionally until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel and enjoy!
