Summers around here are crazy!
I come to depend on a few staple recipes that are easy and crowd pleasing.
It's June, which for me means SUMMER!
Summers around here are a bit head spinning. My kids are 7, 6 and 3 and the activities are endless. Between ball games, camps, reading groups, college for kids and just lazy days around home letting them be kids, we are busy.
There are many days we travel from one event to another, eating on the go, but I do try and plan ahead. I've been taking hot meals to the ball park {yes, it can be done} and I've used my slow cooker more times than I can count.
What I have found is that I come to rely on some of the same meals and snacks over and over for two reasons. They are easy and we love them.
Now when I say "they are easy", in my head they are. I'm not that mom that feeds her kids a cold meat sandwich every day for lunch and then hot dogs and mac and cheese at night. Those dishes certainly come into play about once a week, BUT not every day. I want them to eat a variety and I want them to eat well.
I'd love to know which one of these is your favorite!
This Zesty Spaghetti Salad is one of our new summer favorites. It's zesty! And full of flavor. Eaten cold it is perfect to take along on picnics or have along side a grilled burger at dinner.
If I'm being completely honest I could it eat all alone for a meal. It's full of veggies, with a little freshly grated Parmesan cheese for good measure. It keeps for daaaaaaaaays in the fridge, which is good because it makes a big batch!
I've been making Frozen Smoothie Packs since before it was cool and all the rage around the internet. I sometimes wish I got a cut from all the profits other bloggers are making from them. Anyway, these are very easy to prep on a Sunday to get ready for the week ahead.
If I had to guess we have smoothies for breakfast at least twice a week. Pulling a small baggie out of the freezer with a combination already put together for me? Priceless. All I then need to do is add a liquid to blend it all up {milk, juice, coconut milk, water, etc.}
I often wonder if in another life I grew up in Mexico, as I tan super easy and I often find myself turning to Mexican food. Side note, my Spanish name in high school was Carmen.
Okay, so these Pineapple Chicken Sheet Pan Fajitas are ridiciously tasty and super easy to make. By prepping everything the day before you can simply throw the sliced chicken, pineapple, peppers, onions and seasonings on a sheet pan and 30 minutes later you're rolling it all up in a tortilla.
I often say I have a few "last meals" that I'd request to my capturers and this Baked Caprese Garlic Bread is one of them.
Between late July and through the month of September my garden is loaded with tomatoes. One of my favorite ways to eat them for a simple dinner is on this garlic bread. Melted mozzarella, fresh basil, juicy tomatoes and a balsamic drizzle.
Seriously, life doesn't get much better than this.
Crock Pot Maid-Rites are a staple here in the Midwest, not only for their flavor, but for their simplicity. The meat can simmer all day long and only gets better. Wrap them up individually in foil to take along to the ball park at night or come home and eat them fresh.
Each way is great! Every single person I know who has tried this recipe reports back with rave reviews. I prefer mine with sliced dill pickle, ketchup and mustard....but I know a LOT of people love them with chopped raw onion.
One of our favorite things to do in the summer after a LONG day to bring our dinner out to the deck and accompany it with a cold drink. This Big Mac Cheeseburger Pizza often makes it out there!
Using a store bought thin crust, this comes together quick. That special sauce? Yeah, go ahead and double it, it's that good. Bake it in the oven and carry the pizza pan outside for casual eating. People love this one!
I always have homemade muffins on hand. Always. They are easy to grab when running out the door and simple to throw in a bag when traveling.
My Double Chocolate Banana Muffins have created some waves. People love 'em. And you won't feel too bad about feeding them to your kids because they are filled with mashed banana and Greek yogurt.
It's kinda like eating chocolate cake for breakfast.
Y'all know I have a strong like for both BLT's and Caesar salads. They rank right up there next to my children. I remember creating this Chopped BLT Caesar Salad about one month post partum with my third child. The horomone God's must have had their act together that day because this one is still my favorite!
Crispy bacon, creamy/spicy dressing, crunchy croutons, juicy tomatoes. Nothing is bad here! Toss this bad boy together and you can feed a crowd.
If your kids are anything like mine, then they love to DIP their food. Into anything really. Whether it be ketchup, ranch dressing or barbecue sauce, eating something plain just isn't in the cards.
I like to keep a batch of this Comeback Dipping Sauce on hand for those nights we are making things easy. When I'm making a batch of fries, or chicken strips or grilled sandwiches. It's tangy and creamy with a hint of spice!
Can we all note it just wouldn't be summer without another sheet pan dinner? With just five ingredients, plus salt and pepper, an elf in a clown suit could throw this one together.
I often make this Sausage and Potato Sheet Pan Dinner in late summer when people are handing me green beans by the bag full. They pair well with the roasted potatoes and kielbasa sausage. You can toss all the ingredients together before work, leave them in the fridge and just throw it on a sheet pan when ready to start supper. Super easy!
What are some of your favorite summer meals? Ones you keep coming back too? Summer is for fun and good eating. Don't stress out about it!
