Easy Summer Meals

I love easy. I’m sure you do too! I thought I would share some meals we’ve been cookin’ up around here lately. I always like to get fresh ideas (or be reminded of some I’ve forgotten) so I hope you’ll share yours with me and the others too!

Breakfast

Berry Butter Toast

We altered a French Toast recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cookbook (one of our favorites!), which is delicious, to make it a bit easier in the mornings as our crew gets up in shifts and cooking isn’t as easy.

The day before: soften a stick of butter then add chopped fresh or frozen fruit (we like strawberries and blueberries). Combine and refrigerate.

Serve on toasted Skinny Bread (or whatever bread you prefer–bagels or English muffins would be good too) and pour Maple syrup over if desired. YUM!

Oatmeal cereal

I’ve mentioned this one before, but it’s so easy and healthy! The night before, mix together in a large bowl oats, plain yogurt, mashed bananas (this makes it sweet) and cut up fresh or frozen fruit then enough milk to make it just “soupy”. Refrigerate overnight and it’s ready to serve in the morning.

Lunch

Favorite: Fresh fruit (Aldi makes it affordable!), cheese, crackers and nuts.

Grilled Bean and Cheese tortillas (with avocado).

Boiled Eggs, salad and pasta topped with cheese.

Tuna or chicken salad with apples and grapes with crackers or tortillas.

Supper

Photo: GetCrocked

Crock pot Asian Chicken

Place chicken thighs or breasts in a crock pot (cut into bites if thawed, or this can be done after they are partially cooked) and a cup of water or broth.

Cut up some chunks of fresh pineapple (or used canned) and some juice. Add a cup or so of brown sugar and some soy sauce. Sesame oil adds an authentic Asian flavor if you have some on hand. Sprinkle with pepper and let cook 4 or 5 hours. Serve with rice.

Summer Stir-fry

Photo: The Pioneer Woman

Another favorite from The Pioneer Woman Cookbook and can be easily varied using whatever you happen to have. Here’s our favorite:

Stir-fry some shrimp (or chicken) in olive oil or butter, in a skillet, then remove to another dish. Then stir-fry some fresh zucchini, sliced bell pepper, onion, whole-kernel corn and tomatoes (add these at the very end). Mix everything together, sprinkle some fresh basil and squeeze a half of lemon over all (this is the “secret”). Serve with your favorite pasta…a beautiful and delicious dish!

Dessert

Guilt-Free, Raw Chocolate Bars

Melt coconut oil (several tablespoons) and dark chocolate over low heat. Add ground oats and ground almonds (or other nuts) and any other dried fruit/nuts you desire. Flax seed is a great, healthy addition as well. Pour into pan, refrigerate to harden, cut and serve. HEAVEN.

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