Summer is here, the kids are off from school and…it’s hot! Who wants to sweat over a hot stove or miss out on some mega memory making with friends and family? It’s time to make the most of your free time by incorporating some of these tricks and tips to make the most of your summer!:
Plan & Stick to it
Basic menu planning is useful in every season. Especially when money is tight and everyone is home, it’s smart to organize your cooking schedule. Remember, it doesn’t have to be gourmet-a-day. A great way to make the most of your money and time is to plan your meals around events, what ingredients you have in the house and your supermarket’s weekly specials. Use the week’s specials, match simple entrees with busy days, and save more elaborate meals with special occassion evenings.
Note your weekly schedule and post it somewhere you, and your house mates, can be sure to keep on track ; )
Give your oven the summer off
Take a break from baking as well as from foods that need to be watched on the stove. Take advantage of your crock pot and get creative with salads and meals that can be served at room temperature or cold.
Also, get everything you need to grill as much as possible. Cooking outdoors is one of the best summer activities and nothing puts the brakes on that like not having what you need to get that fire rollin’.
Pump up the produce
Choosing ingredients from vegetable gardens or roadside produce stands is synonymous with summer. A colorful table filled with fruits and veggies, either raw or grilled, makes for a fabulous, quick meal.
Cook once, eat thrice (at least)
If you are going to spend time in the kitchen, make it count. Create meals that can be turned into several different dishes throughout the week or at the very least, make double portions so that foods can be quickly re-heated. Ex. Pasta, rice, quinoa, etc can all be made warm the for the first meal and served cold as salads or sides later on!
Involve the household
Since the kids are out of school and some folks have summer hours, why not get some kitchen assistants to share the load? Bringing kids in the kitchen is great as a time saver but also teaches them to appreciate what goes in to preparing a meal. Delegating tasks, even up through the dish washing, will not only help cut down cooking time but also build a team like feel at every meal ; )
Pre-pack a cooler
If you’ve got a standby cooler packed with plates, cups, utensils and napkins, all you need to do is toss in the fruit, drinks and snacks from an impromptu picnic or beach trip. Get packing!
Think drinks!
Prep some cold brewed tea or have all the ingredients necessary for a quick batch of home made lemonade. Nothing screams summer like chilly beverages so be sure to have plenty of stuff on hand so you’re always prepared.
Ultimately, enjoy the summer as much as possible. Be prepared so you can be ready for all the spontaneous fun summer brings. DO it happily and healthily for you, your family & your friends ; )
