Heat Wave - Recipe Survival
From Southern Living — "Summertime is always the best of what might be,"
I have always thought that summer comes and goes so quickly here in the NEK. I think because I am just so busy during the summer months, the days just meld into the next, and before I know it, the morning and night air is getting crisper and our friend “Frosty mornings” becomes a threat.
Well, no frost in the forecast for the foreseeable future! In fact, we are getting ready to enter into a serious heat spell.
Who wants to come home from work or even errands, and heat up the kitchen to make a nourishing dinner? I know I don’t, and it seems especially when my girls were younger, I would always find myself saying, “What in the world are we going to have for dinner?”
Ha Ha… seems I am still saying that!
Just some simple ideas for you to consider: Hope they are helpful.
Quick Dinner Idea #1:
Grilled Burgers — Salad — Blueberry smoothie for dessert (love this one because very little mess to clean up — using the grill vs. heating up the kitchen — Feel good dessert full of antioxidants, flavor, and fun!
Here's a simple recipe to make a blueberry smoothie:
Ingredients:
¾-1 cup milk (any kind, or juice)
½ cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
1 frozen banana (broken in chunks – about 100 grams)
1 cup frozen blueberries
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to the blender in the order listed.
Blend until smooth, stopping and stirring or adding more liquid as desired.
Variations and additions:
Make it green: Blend in a handful of baby spinach or kale for added nutrients.
Sweeten it: Add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or agave if desired.
Thicken it: A scoop of old-fashioned oats can make the smoothie more filling.
Quick Dinner Idea #2:
Crock Pot Taco Filling for Taco Night: made simply with Ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, used for traditional taco’s or put on top of a bed of Somers Salad Mix, with all the taco fixings, such as avacado, sour cream, salsa with some chips on the side. (This can be made in some many ways to suit your taste)
Basic Crock Pot Taco Meat (Beef):
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef (lean ground beef recommended)
Taco seasoning ( can use a packet per lb of beef or make up your own homemade taco seasoning)
Salsa - use to yoru liking— enough to create enough liquid for cooking in crockpot.
Instructions:
Add ground beef, taco seasoning, and salsa to the slow cooker.
Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 4 hours. You may need to stir and break up the meat occasionally during cooking.
Once cooked, break up the meat as desired.
Serve with taco shells, tortillas, or as a taco salad.
Quick Dinner Idea #3
Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce with meat: Can be made so many ways — completely from scratch using your own recipe, or shortcut style with your favorite jarred sauce, with the addition of burger, peppers, onions etc: (To your own taste) — In the heat, make it simple, yet nutritious.
Using jarred spaghetti sauce in a crock pot is a convenient way to make a hearty meat sauce. Here's a general approach, based on the provided search results:
1. Prepare the Meat:
Brown your desired ground meat (beef, turkey, or a combination) in a skillet over medium heat.
Drain any excess fat from the pan.
You can also brown diced onions and minced garlic with the meat if you prefer, adding extra flavor.
2. Combine in the Crock Pot:
Add your browned meat mixture to the slow cooker.
Pour in your jarred spaghetti sauce (or multiple jars, depending on the quantity you're making).
Consider adding some water to the slow cooker to help the sauce cook and keep it from getting too thick.
Add any desired seasonings or extra ingredients like diced tomatoes, tomato paste, or even cream cheese for a creamier sauce.
3. Cook:
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-8 hours or high for 2-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld.
4. Finish:
Stir the sauce well before serving.
Serve over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta.
Tips and Variations:
Enhance the sauce: You can customize the sauce by adding extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
Adjust seasonings: Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.
Prevent watery sauce: If your sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by dissolving cornstarch in cold water and adding it to the simmering sauce.
Add cheese: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the finished dish for extra flavor.
Take care of the next several days, especially if you are compromised with health issues… Get plenty of water and eat well.
The farmstand Cooler is fully stocked with all things summer:
Farming for you!
Kathy
