I’m sitting here at the pool sweltering in the heat and wondering why I thought it was such a good idea to bring my computer.
Truth be told, I was curious if our pool really had wi-fi or if they just made the claim because what kind of moron brings their computer to the pool?
Turns out, the wi-fi is for real.
So is the heat.
And, apparently, so is the moron.
I chose not to wear my bathing suit today because I am tired of the pool and all the chlorine. My hair is about the consistency of straw, except not as soft and silky.
Anyway, after Caroline’s swimming lesson is over, we are headed home to bask in the A/C. I may even break out the craft bag in my desperation to stay inside.
Nothing reeks of desperation more than the willing distribution of glitter and glue to someone whose life motto is if a little is good, then A LOT is even better.
My biggest issue with the heat, other than the fact that it causes me to walk around with a bright red face and foul temper, is that it makes me want to run far, far away from the kitchen. By the end of the day it is just too hot to live, much less cook.
I just want to get a spoon, a quart of Dreyer’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream and call it a day.
There are two problems with this.
1. I would prefer to not gain fifty pounds over the course of the summer.
2. My people seem to want real food. With side dishes.
They are so demanding with all their “I’m hungry. What’s for dinner? Are we having hot dogs again?”
It takes all the joy out of my Dreyer’s Ice Cream.
Oh I kid. Nothing could really take the joy out of that. Because did I mention the chocolate and the peanut butter?
The problem is that when I look through my recipes and assorted cookbooks, nothing sounds good. Meatloaf in the summer is just wrong. Gravy in the summer seems unnatural. Frying something in hot oil seems redundant to the day I’ve already spent at the pool.
This is where y’all come in. I’m going to put up a Mr. Linky and would love it if you’d share your favorite summertime recipe on your blog and link it back here. If you don’t have a blog, then you can leave your recipe in the comments.
It doesn’t have to be sophisticated or complicated. In fact, the easier the better has always been my motto.
Not really, but it is now.
So, share the recipe love. Help a girl out.
Because, otherwise, P is going to ban me from buying anymore hot dogs at the HEB.
Mary says:
This isn’t a recipe, but here’s my hint for easy summer dinners. I plan meals that involve cooking on the grill. And that is a man job, which means my husband has to do it!
Also, we eat a lot of take-out hoagies.
This is probably no help at all.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:27 am
Jane says:
I could eat BLT sandwiches with a side of hard boiled eggs, melon, or maybe corn on the cob for the entire summer for these very reasons.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Melissa says:
Nachos!! The only cooking is the ground beef. Add taco seasoning. “Doctor up” with Hint of Lime Tostito chips, salsa (we like Wal-Mart’s Black Bean and Corn), cheese, sour cream. Leftover meat can be used for Taco Salad later in the week……….on really cold lettuce, it’s a great Summer Supper!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:41 am
Heidi says:
Here’s a really super easy chicken recipe. Hope you enjoy!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Kay says:
It is winter here in New Zealand but on the hottest summer days, I make a large plate of cut up vegetables and serve it with a dip made from a can of salmon and some low fat cream cheese whizzed through a food processor.. no heat, not too much effort and still reasonably healthy.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Danielle says:
What a great idea! I could use a little summer kitchen inspiration!!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:17 am
madamspud169 says:
My whole family loves this & it’s easy, quick & more importantly cheap plus you can add almost anything to it or as a side.
Cook some pasta
(the shell shape ones are good)
While it’s cooking drain a tin of tuna
Add diced red & green pepper, diced spring onion (I think you call it sweet or yellow onion), sweetcorn, diced chicken and even pre-cooked diced bacon.
Smother it all in mayonnaise or ranch dressing.
Mix it all together.
Mix in the hot pasta and eat.
My kids also like the leftovers cold for lunch the next day. (each to their own).
June 26th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Kim says:
Please excuse the “this is the right link” comment lol. I had posted that somewhere else and I guess I didn’t erase the comment lol. Duh! I hope you like the recipe I linked to. We love it. It’s a nice cool salad but with a kick. Perfect for summer.
Love your blog by the way.
Blessings,
Kim
June 26th, 2008 at 6:35 am
Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous! says:
Uh, yeah right. I ate a Popsicle for dinner last night with a side of cheese puffs.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:42 am
chocolatechic says:
I make myself ‘cheesies’ for lunch all the time.
1 flour tortilla
1 handful of cheese down the middle of said tortilla.
Roll up, and nuke for 1 minute. Voila.
If that doesn’t work, there is always hot dogs.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Erica says:
HEB Fully Cooked Chicken Breasts (cut into bite sizes) with tossed pasta and tomato, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese (w/a dab of olive oil), salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Marilyn says:
Here are two of my easiest dishes that we really love: One a main dish; the other a dessert.
Mexican Main Dish (don’t have a name for this!)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can Ro-Tel (tomatoes w/peppers)
1 can re-fried beans
1/2 yellow (or any color!) onion, chopped
1 tablespoon dry taco seasoning
1 pkg (the 2-cup size) mozzerella cheese
3 or more 10-inch (or several small) flour tortillas
Spray a fairly large skillet with Pam…or else coat with a tablespoon or so of olive oil….and saute onions for just a few minutes. Add soup (don’t dilute), Ro-Tel, beans and taco seasoning and heat until bubbling. Cover bottom of a microwave safe cassarole dish with 1 of the flour tortillas.(one of the 10″ tortillas fits perfectly in the dish I use. you might have to use more than one to cover bottom of the dish you use) Add half of bean/soup mixture, top with 1/3 of the cheese. Put another large tortilla(s) on top of this, add rest of bean/soup mix, top with 1/3 of cheese, put final tortilla(s) on top and sprinkle with rest of cheese. Cover with microwave safe lid or plastic wrap and cook in microwave for 3 and 1/2 minutes on high. Let sit for a few minutes. Serve with salsa and chips.
Here’s the dessert:
(this can be made as small or as large as you like)
Quick Ice Cream Pie
several vanilla/chocolate ice cream sandwiches
Cool Whip (thawed)
Chocolate syrup
Malted Milk Balls candy
Use a pan that can be put in the freezer. I use a square or rectangular plastic with snap-on lid. Unwrap ice cream sandwiches and line bottom of pan with as many as it takes to cover bottom. Then cover with enough Cool Whip to make a layer at least 1-inch thick. Crush enough malted milk ball candy to cover the top of the Cool Whip. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Put back in freezer for a couple of hours before serving.
Hope you try and enjoy! They work for these hot and humid Mississippi days….hopefully they will work just as well in TX!
Marilyn in MS
June 26th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Meg @ Spicy Magnolia says:
I just used Mr. Linky to share with you my “Sizzlin’ Summer Recipe” blog post that I wrote back in May. It has a mix of sides, appetizers, and some wonderful summer salads. Hope you enjoy! And thanks for the post to give me more summer foodie ideas myself.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Paula says:
BLT’s!! Yum!! Even better made with pepper bacon!!
June 26th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Aunt LoLo says:
I threw two links up there, because we’ve got summer salads on the brain up here on the East Coast…and I had already put them together for another bloggie friend yesterday. Enjoy! Ooh, one other thing I didn’t put up there - boil a pound of pasta in the morning, before the house heats up. Toss it with a little olive oil or canola so it doesn’t stick together, and stick it in the fridge. When you’re ready to play, toss it with Italian dressing, cubes of cheese, cubes of pepperoni or sausage, strips of lunch meat, blanched broccoli…whatever you’ve got in the pantry. It makes a complete meal, and it’s DELICIOUS.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Wendy Darling says:
I so know what you mean about cooking in the summer! It is insane, especially in the Texas heat.
The best part of the recipe that I linked is “There is NO COOKING!” (Did I scream that loud enough? Sorry, I get a little excited about the no cooking part.
I forgot to add that I use Noonday onions, or the red onions. They are not as hot, and the purple of the red onion (does that make ANY sense?) adds a nice color. You can serve it on tortillas or chips. If you have some cheese, sour cream, or guacamole on hand, then that makes it all the better. Let me know how you like it.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Paula says:
Panzanella Italian Bread Salad
http://www.eatingcleveland.com/2008/01/26/easy-panzanella-salad-recipe/
June 26th, 2008 at 7:32 am
suburbancorrespondent says:
Can’t help you. I hate putting cooked (warm) food in my mouth when I’m already so hot I feel I could spontaneously combust. Italian ices for dinner seems reasonable to me. Or maybe a cup of Dannon yogurt, if I want something heavy. With a glass of lemonade. You could have watermelon for dessert.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:39 am
brandi says:
We grill all summer long….that way my husband gets to share in some of the work load as well and it is an easy clean up. We grill everything, veggies, corn on the cob…we try it all.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Melene says:
I shared my recipe on my blog. Thanks for the great idea. I look forward to getting more new recipes.
Have a great time this weekend!
June 26th, 2008 at 7:48 am
maria says:
cut up chicken breast, soak it in pineapple and juice for as long as you feel is good. skewer it up, and grill it. serve it with some sort of dip (bbq is our fave) carrotts and ranch on the side, maybe some pasta salad. yum
June 26th, 2008 at 8:00 am
kelli says:
I make spaghetti salad a lot in the summer. The recipe is on the back of the special spice you have to buy- it’s McCormick’s Salad Supreme. Basically, it’s some of that spice, 8 oz Italian dressing, a bunch of cold spaghetti, and a bunch of chopped veggies. REALLY good.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Sara Bowyer says:
You really need to get your crockpot out!! So nice to dump it in in the morning and have it all ready at dinner. For some awesome recipes, visit crockpot365.blogspot.com. she is using her crockpot every day for a year and has some wonderful recipes!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Fiddledeedee says:
I have only one word for you. CARRABBAS. It’s #2 on my speed dial.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Angie says:
Mmmm… summer food. I love it! No Linky Love recipe to share, just a menu idea that’s quick and easy. We picnic on our deck with chicken salad croissants w/ a slice of swiss melted on top. Or I’ll stuff tomatoes with chicken salad. Watermelon or fresh pineapple on the side with corn on the cob. My kids gobble it right up. Sigh… my mouth is watering now. Is 9:00 a.m. too early to eat corn on the cob?
June 26th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Paula says:
Last one:
Tuna Wild Rice Salad
1 box Fast Cook Long Grain Wild Rice
1 7 oz. can Albacore tuna packed in water, drained and flaked
1 can artichoke hearts packed in brine, drained and quartered
½ cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
3-4 green onions, sliced
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
¼ Tsp. ground pepper
Prepare rice according to package directions and place in large bowl. Add tuna, artichokes, mushrooms and tomatoes. Set aside to cool. In a separate bowl, combine green onions, oil, mustard, vinegar and pepper. Whisk together until blended. Pour into tuna rice mixture and blend well. Serves 4-6.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Cyndi says:
I love the HEB precooked section! They have taco meat - YES!
Taco salad on no cook days in our house.
I have been guilty of coming home with bagged salad, taco crumbles, canned beans, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla chips from HEB on these days. It takes less than 10 minutes to put it all together and my “meat-a-saurus” men in the family are happy because they get taco meat. I am happy because I didn’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking or cleaning up!
Here in the heat of Texas that’s cool
Blessings,
Cyndi
June 26th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Summertime Recipes « Kiddies and Ghillies says:
[…] 26, 2008 Summertime Recipes Posted by kiddiesandghillies under Kids Over at her blog, Big Mama has asked for some summertime recipes, so here are […]
June 26th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Mel says:
I posted three for you Big Mama. I did not post any measurements as I tend to throw things together.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Michelle@Life with Three says:
I just posted a link to a Brown and Wild Rice Chicken Salad. It is so delicious — I’ve made it a dozen times already because it doesn’t involve a lot of cooking. You could even use rotisserie chicken. The leftovers are even better.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Rookie Mom 101 says:
Fruit Tower of Pisa…quick, fun and a great indoor activity…yes air conditioning required. I just posted the link.
Enjoy –
Rookie Mom 101 aka Kari
June 26th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Julie says:
I don’t make this as often as I would like, but it’s a great summer dish.
1 package of already cooked shrimp
1 packet of Italian dressing
butter
Angel Hair pasta
In a pan melt a couple of pats of butter. Mix in the Italian dressing packet and add shrimp. Coat the shrimp with the butter and dressing. Let it saute a little. While you are doing this cook the Angel Hair pasta according to the directions. When the pasta is ready add the shrimp mixture to it and mix it so that the pasta has all of the Italian dressing/butter combo on it.
This is super easy and good.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Rena says:
Mozzarella Pie is just ONE favorite….working on others. But this is easy. It does involve, you know, cooking just a tad. But, seriously, I’m trying to come up with even LESS work or, um, heat… involved.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Wendy says:
OMG. The HEB Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Enchiladas are so easy and so yummy. We used to just have the shrimp with rice but this is much yummier.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:44 am
shelley @ itchesandscratches says:
What a great idea! I’ll have to think on my favorite…although the ice cream sounds good to me!
June 26th, 2008 at 8:45 am
zoom says:
Turning on the oven in the summer gives new meaning to the word inferno.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Brittany says:
I really hope you titled your post with the tune of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” running through your head…its only right…
June 26th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Emily says:
Left a link to a receipe I posted about recently.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Elizabeth says:
Hope you enjoy the Spinach Salad recipe! It’s from the Dean Brothers (Paula Dean’s sons) so it has be good! Enjoy :o)
June 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Molly Pearce says:
I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s not a heavy dish and goes a long way. Happy cooking ~ Molly P.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Deanna says:
A really, really simple ‘recipe’ I like to do on days I don’t want to cook is cut up some green onions (really fine), add lots of real bacon bits, shredded cheese, & enough mayonnaise to make it all stick together. Put it on some bread & it is delicious! It also tastes good on Ritz crackers. Some people may call it cheating when it comes to ‘cooking supper’ but my husband likes it so well he sometimes asks for it!
June 26th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Jobie says:
My recipes aren’t for meals, really, but I could make a meal out of them. I’m gonna try some of these recipes that you guys have given. Sorry I didn’t get the Big Mama link correct on my blog - I really need some coaching!!
June 26th, 2008 at 9:51 am
We are THAT family says:
I wasn’t meant to be a cook, which sad for the others living with me and depending on me for their nutritional needs.
I can make a mean glass of southern sweet tea, so I included that post on your Mr. Linky. That and it is the only recipe I’ve ever posted on my blog.
I was serious about not being meant to cook.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Slacker Mom says:
I hate cooking indoors during this time of the year. I left a recipe above, but another thing I’ve done lately is take those Suddenly Salad mixes and fixed one and put a chopped grilled chicken breast in when mixing and topped with shredded cheese. Always a winner at dinnertime and Mom doesn’t look like she’s spent the day in the kitchen - sweating!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Shalee says:
I’d say takeout, but that gets pricey…
Might I suggest fried egg sandwiches? Fry that egg til it has crispy sides, break yoke, add s & p, flip and cook until done. Serve on bread with or without mayo (I say without but heathens in my house say yes and sometimes they destroy it even further by adding cheese. Whatever.)
Cut up a canteloup and call it good. Then have that ice cream of which you speak.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am
megan says:
A fresh baguette, a wedge of Camembert, a bowl of olives and slices of tomato with balsamic vinaigrette. perfect.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Lucy says:
One thing we really like is grilled cheese sandwiches, but we add sliced deli chicken, tomatoes, spinach and honey mustard. I use a nice hearty whole wheat bread. It tastes like a sandwich from a restauarant, but it’s easy and not too hot. We just add chips and salsa or cut up veggies and fruit.
Another thing that we LOVE is this super, super easy grilling recipe. Marinate chicken (we like boneless skinless thighs, but whatever you want) in a mix of, get this, Hickory flavored Liquid Smoke, Seasoned Salt and Olive Oil. I have no measurements, but for about 4 pounds of chicken (enough to fill a gallon size bag) I suppose I use maybe a 2-3 T of Smoke, 8-9 good shakes of salt and then 1/4 to 1/2 cup of oil.
You can adjust it to accomodate your taste. I sometimes also had garlic powder (or pressed garlic), seasoned pepper, whatever. It’s just so yummy and so easy. I let it marinate for at least three hours, overnight is even easier. Cooking is the easiest part, since you just send P out to grill it.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Kim H. says:
Someone already gave you my idea - so I’ll just say that I hope you try some of these out - and let us know how they go so that we’ll know if we should try them as well.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Leslie says:
One of the great shocks of marriage for me was the reality that I could no longer have a dinner of crackers and salsa, or sourdough bread and olive oil. My dear husband likes meals with “real” food items like meat and pasta. I crouched over the sink last week after work cleaning out shrimp (which he loves) and thought, “It’s a good thing he’s so cute.”
June 26th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Liz says:
I’m with you, Big Mama. The thought of cooking or eating hot food in the summer is very unappetizing!
The following recipe will be of no help in your quest to provide nourishment for your family, but it will help you tune out their plea for food.:)
FRESH PEACH MOJITOS
3 cups chopped, peeled peaches
1 tsp. grated lime rind
1 cup fresh lime juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed mint leaves
2 cups white rum
4 cups club soda, chilled
Crushed Ice
Place peaches in blender; blend until smooth. Press peach puree through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids.
Combine rind, lime juice, sugar and mint in a large pitcher; crush juice mixture with the back of a long spoon. Add peach puree and rum to pitcher, stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in club soda. Serve over ice. Enjoy!!
This recipe came from my cooking light magazine, so it must be healthy. Here’s to trying to keep cool. Liz
June 26th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Trina says:
You should definitely check out Crockpot365. She is going a whole year of just using her crockpot and I have seen several easy yummy dishes I want to try soon. But we mostly eat cereal at my house for dinner cuz we’re so fancy.
Anyway, here’s the link
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
June 26th, 2008 at 10:51 am
amy says:
Here’s a new one to me… my dad made it for us the other day and I really loved it (and it’s simplicity)~
2 pkgs of cream cheese
1 small pkg of Ranch dressing mix
1 large can of chunk chicken
Mix all ingredients together and put in fridge to chill. Serve on crackers, fritos or toast. SOOO yummy w/ a glass of iced tea!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am
amy says:
oh and on the chunk chicken… don’t leave it in chunks… shred it some b/c, Eww.
And did you say you’re tired of going to the pool?? oh my!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am
The Lizness says:
Look at me taking Sophie’s advice and being consistent with my blog & signature!
June 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Marla Taviano says:
Okay, that’s it. I’m just going to ask. What the HEK is HEB? It’s obviously one of those “you’d get it if you were Southern” things, but I’m not, so spill.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Jennifer (Et Tu?) says:
My soul sister, it is so good to have found you!
I just discovered your site the other day. After reading this post, I thought, “She lives in Texas. I know it. Only someone living in Texas could have written that post.” And I checked your bio to see that, indeed, you are a fellow lifelong Texan who has never gotten used to the heat.
I’m a sixth-generation Texan, and often wonder if my ancestors who came over here from Illinois on covered wagons wrote back to their kin up north, “Indeed, there is cheap land, as promised. BUT DO YOU THINK THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE MENTIONED THE HEAT? And the SCORPIONS? THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING TO MENTION.”
Anyway…
It’s interesting to hear what the weather is like these days. I wouldn’t know. I don’t think I’ve been away from an air conditioned area in the past two weeks.
Unfortunately I don’t have any good recipes to share. I’m so inept at cooking that I really need to stick with what I know. I learned to cook during the winter, so we’ve been having a lot of roast and heavy soups. My poor husband and children. I’m eager to read your other readers’ recipes.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Holly at Crownlaiddown says:
I have started a resource blog with recipes, grocery lists and approximate costs. It is certainly a work in progress, but perhaps it will help: http://whatwouldmarthacook.blogspot.com/
It’s about to merge with another blog for an awesome resourse later this summer. Stay tuned!
June 26th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Natalie Witcher says:
BLT
June 26th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Diane says:
I’m glad you are doing this. I need more ideas, too. I have no time because we are painting the house and deck and porch. I am covered in Glidden semi-gloss and don’t feel like cooking. Go figure.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Emily says:
No blog = no mr. linky
Gazpacho is a delicious summer soup. My sister calls it “garden in a bowl.” I love it with a grilled cheese.
fruit salad. (yummy. yummy.)
Eating nothing but fruit and veggies all summer is a definite diet tip.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Jenny says:
I’m excited to find some new summer recipes. In the summer, I want my time in the kitchen to be quick! My recipes aren’t very original, but they make my family happy.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Anne says:
I live in England, so my idea of summer is probably closer to your winter than summer weather! I would literally melt in Texas in the summer!
Ever heard of the term Ploughmans lunch? It’s cold meat (sliced ham), coleslaw, potato salad, crusty bread/rolls, cheese, pickle, boiled egg…. Nice mix of odds and ends, nice and cool for the summer, NO cooking.
Do you have Quiche in America? It’s an egg based pie type thing. Sorry can’t give you a recipe. That with new potatoes and salad - not too much cooking, can be had cold.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Kmama says:
Grill some chicken strips or boneless breasts (i stole, i mean borrowed my daughters George Foreman grill and i have got to get my own), pour some bbq sauce over them & put in the oven while you microwave some fresh corn on the cob (the silks just fall off after the microwave) and open up a can of Bush’s Best Baked Beans (homestyle). Throw in some of that wonderful pre-butterred & garliced frozen texas toast (do NOT, repeat do NOT look at the calorie content) and enjoy.
Also love to cook chicken fajitas - same grilled chicken strips, cut up and add to onions and red pepper that have been sauteed in a little bit of olive oil until soft, half a lime squeezed over it and 1/4 c. of salsa stirred in. Fill up your soft flour tortillas and chow down. My kids LOVE that one and it takes practically no time to cook. If you have issues with raw chicken, you can buy tyson grilled chicken strips in the meat section of the grocery here in Middle-of-Nowhere, Alabama. Its kinda expensive that way, tho.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Renna says:
What a great idea! I’m wilting here in Texas, too, so I look forward to seeing everyone’s summertime recipes.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Cheryl says:
I posted a recipe for taco soup. Very good, very easy, both essentials for any kind of cooking, if you ask me! It’s also one of the few recipes that all foru of my boys as well as my husband will eat and love!
June 26th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Kelley says:
I am so excited to check back here and see what people have put up. I am in a summer-time cooking rut!
I agree…hot dogs can only go so far.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Kelly @ The Feathered Nest says:
I wrote a post and have my recipes but am so challeneged that for some reason my links won’t work. I don’t want to fill up anymore of your links with my faulty link- ugh! Sorry:-) If you can delete my two I’ll try again later.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Jan says:
Well, shoot - I forgot to add the title of my recipe in my link. But I’m #54 and it’s for Asian Chicken Salad.
Cool and no cooking required if you have some leftover chicken or maybe one of those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store.
Caroline may even eat it if you tell her about the peanut butter in the dressing.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Kristin says:
Thank you, thank you for this post and look at all those links. Just yesterday, I was scouring the internet for quick easy dinners.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Janine says:
Thanks for the past weekend. You did a great job. It was my first time to go and I really enjoyed your sessions. If I have to sit in a room and listen to someone talk, then I’d rather be entertained than fall asleep. And so I was (entertained, that is).
Ya’ll (there, I used that word!) did a great job.
Thanks!!
June 26th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Shelly McCabe says:
I know you were looking for dinner options, but I thought the Triple Citrus Mojito recipe sounded too good to share. You could make it virgin for Caroline and then give P some with the rum. Maybe they’d forget about dinner if they like the drink? LOL
June 26th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Penny Raine says:
I posted my yummy summer salad for you, enjoy
blessings, Penny Raine
http://www.pennyraine.com/blog
June 26th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Jenn @ Casa de Castro says:
Fabulous idea, Melanie!! I’m writing down a bunch of the great recipes I’ve seen here today.
I’ve resorted to telling my husband that the stove and oven have scheduled themselves out for summer vacation and are therefore unavailble to cook for us. He isn’t buying.
Posted a family favorite dessert recipe over on my blog. It’s quick, easy, yummy, and oh-so-cold!
June 26th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Pumita says:
Wow, my first Mr. Linky, and I got to link under my all-time favorite number since my 10th birthday party: 63!
I hope your family enjoys all the new recipes, Big Mama.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Superchikk says:
I have a blog, but as my a/c is out today and I am currently green with envy that you HAVE a working air conditioner (not to mention the sweat), I am not staying at the computer long enough to actually post on it today.
That being said…
Grill, grill, grill. I grill meat about once a week and use it for dinner the rest of the week. The other day when we were having hamburgers, I threw some chicken on the grill and made chicken salad a few nights later.
Chicken Salad (no real recipe, but this is what I did)
2 grilled chicken breasts
chopped celery
halved grapes
dijon mustard (a little)
mayo (a lot more than the mustard)
Stir, set in fridge, place on bread-like item, chow down.
The Husband even liked this one - which is weird because he considers things like this to be “girly” food.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Erin says:
I agree. The summer heat is oppressive. I think it’s essential to avoid using the oven and stove as much as possible. The grill and the microwave are my friends this summer.
I can’t wait to look through everyone else’s recipes to get some new ideas.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
christina in GA says:
Looking forward to all of the summer supper ideas. I love new recipes and staying cool in this GA heat is a priority.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Jamie @ Purposeful Pursuit says:
I’m always on the lookout for new simple ideas. I posted and I’ll check out the links in hopes of finding inspiration.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Michelle says:
Sesame Garlic wings that are to die for!
Hope everyone enjoys!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Heather says:
Grill, grill, grill girl!!! I know they have already said it but I’m becoming more and more of a believer in the grill. I live in Central Georgia and the heat and humidity are horrid. I’ve started doing as much on the grill as possible. Last night I learned how to use the rotisserre (okay I can’t spell but I learned how to use the thing completely by MYSELF)I cooked two whole chickens on the rotisserre of my grill and then because DH’s new grill (which HE has actually never used by the way) has a little separate side grill thingie. I roasted fresh corn on it added a salad and rolls and TADA!!!! No heat in my kitchen! I’m also making LOTS of varieties of salads and trying ANYTHING that can go in the crockpot and nothing that involves frying or the oven! Good luck and stay cool!
June 26th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Natalie C says:
Big Mama, my solution last summer was to go to Let’s Dish (www.letsdish.com), and I tried to pick as many recipes as possible that were slow cooker friendly, so the only involvement with dinner I had was walking to the freezer, dumping a ziplock bag full of food into a crock pot, and serving it up 7 hours later. I know they don’t have Let’s Dish in TX, but there’s got to be some equivalent that will save you??
June 26th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Shelly W says:
The easiest pasta dish ever! And I made it up myself! I hope you enjoy it.
You should have enough recipes to keep you going for a while now.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Linda says:
We live in the north, where we have great furnaces to keep us warm in the winter, but no AC in our 100+ year-old house. And we have a gas stove. I don’t like lighting a fire in my kitchen when it’s over 90. UGH! So, I’m taking notes, too.
We like chicken salad… with grapes, walnuts, pineapple, mayo, and a little coconut. Yum!
June 26th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Krista says:
Italian Chicken pasta salad
One box bow tie pasta
3 or 4 chicken breasts (depending on size)
1 head of green leaf lettuce
1 can olives
1 large tomato
shredded mozzarella and/or parmesan cheese (to taste)
One bottle Italian dressing
Fry or grill chicken breasts in butter or oil. Chop into small pieces.
Cook pasta.
Shred lettuce into the largest bowl you have (like 4 quarts) until about half full. Drain and rinse pasta until cool - shake off as much water as you can. Add to bowl. Mix with large squirts of Italian dressing (to taste).
Chop tomato and olives. Mix a bit or just leave all on top. Same with shredded cheese.
Dump chopped chicken on top and serve with extra dressing on the side.
Enjoy!
This meal makes enough for 4 people plus leftovers!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Way More Homemade (Donna) says:
Enjoy perusing your very own cookbook here. I can’t wait to get a chance to look around at all the recipes myself.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Mozi Esme's Mommy says:
I’m not leaving a link - I so don’t want to think about cooking now. Just wanted to share that I feel your pain! No Dreyer’s here in Mozambique, but I was perfectly happy with a few spoonfuls of Nutella for supper - what’s with people wanting real food???
June 26th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Jennifer Moore says:
The Ham Florentine Wreath I made and posted about on Tuesday would be perfect for you. Unless your family doesn’t like tomatoes. I don’t really like tomatoes, but I love this wreath. And it doesn’t require too much work. Unfortunately, I don’t have permalinks working on my blog yet (still trying to figure out why), but it’s the 2nd post down.
http://www.jamsquared.net/blog/Jennifer_blog.htm
June 26th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Julie says:
I am seriously having trouble coming up with recipes this summer! I’m definitely going to be checking some of these out. Thanks!
June 26th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Marilyn-A Mixed Bouquet says:
In Mr. Linky I linked to my recipe blog:
http://amixedbouquetrecipebox.blogspot.com/search/label/Salads
I love the Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad. Yum!
June 27th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Karen says:
Throw a half brisket (trimmed of fat) in the crockpot. Mix together some bottled chili sauce and water and pour over it. Salt and pepper and a bayleaf. And a quartered onion. Do this in the morning and let it cook on low all day. At dinner time, slice it across the grain, heat up some frozen mashed potatoes and a veggie and you’re done. P will ask if you can get a perfume that smells like this - it’s my Jewish grandmother’s brisket recipe. Nothing like it.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
allikayesmama says:
Real easy bacon chicken spinach alfredo! Yum!!
June 28th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Erin says:
Great post idea, I am looking forward to going through them!
June 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Jessika says:
My crockpot saves me from slaving over the stove in any kind of weather but I especially love it in the summer. We live in a town renown for it’s great weather, but on the hot days A/C can only be found in the homes of the rich and famous who don’t have to cook for themselves anyway! And at Nordstrom. They have a lovely “lounge” where I can sit and enjoy the quiet, the cool, and the knowledge that dinner is cooking at home and I’m not there. And then I get up and go shop somewhere I don’t have to shush my kids the whole time.
Crockpot chicken tacos
1 bag (40 oz)frozen boneless, skinless thighs or breasts (thighs are juicier)
1 package taco seasoning
1/4 cup water
Throw it all in the crock pot on high for 5-6 hours. Shred and serve in tortillas with cheddar cheese and ranch dressing or other favorite taco toppings.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Queen Bee says:
I can so relate to this post. All I seem to be cooking lately is in the crock pot and toaster oven or on the grill outside in order to not heat up my kitchen. Thank you Big Mama becuase I got some great recipes from these links!
July 13th, 2008 at 4:29 pm