Simple summer suppers
Thank you to Registered Dietitian Shannon Svikhart for this blog that inspires us to have some fun with food, friends, and family this summer!
I’m feeling confessional. Blame the heat. Or the endless summer days.
Guiltily, I’d glance at the empty kitchen. Meal planning? On vacay. The oven was lonely. Even our chef, aka my husband, was a slouch.
The cure was a KISSS:
Keep it Simple Summer Suppers! In the peak of summer, we are having an abundance of delicious, nutritious, semi-civilized meals. I want this for you, too! Use this step-by-step guide for a fun way to do simple suppers as a communal meal with friends and family. Cue the summer playlist!
Step one - Ingredients
Hit the store, farm stand or your neighbor's yard for produce, herbs, nuts, whole grain bread, pita, seaweed, hummus, tuna, rotisserie chicken, cheese, olives.
Step two - Help
Gather your besties, sisters, kids, grandpa, etc. They can’t miss the fun! Ask people to bring ingredients/supplies and food storage containers. Set up tables with tablecloths, cutting boards and utensils/knives, bowls and ingredients.
Step three - Prep
Wash hands and remind guests of the theme: KISSS and encourage an audible sigh to relax their shoulders.
Step four - Teams
Guests form teams and pull a recipe or two (see below) from a hat. They organize and divide tasks. They can form an assembly line or toss everything into a central bowl.
Step five - Meal Prep
Teams mash, chop and create an amazing meal. An adult may need to watch the chef’s knife or be the pasta boiler.
Step six - Grill
Have the master griller(s) give a lesson to the others as they grill the chicken, salmon, veggies and shish kabobs.
After the party? Everyone leaves well fed, happy, and with leftovers!
RECIPE IDEAS:
Salad/sandwich: thin slice veggies and combine with protein for a main dish
Pesto: blend together basil, garlic, nuts, parmesan, salt, olive oil to spread on your protein
Puttanesca: combine anchovies, capers, garlic, olives, herbs like marjoram or basil to dress up pasta
Guacamole: mash avocados and add red onion or garlic, jalapeno, lime or lemon juice to compliment your meal
Shish kabob: marinate then skewer onion/mushrooms/peppers and shrimp, pork, or chicken in a Ziploc bag with Italian dressing
Gazpacho: blend tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, worcestershire sauce, green peppers, vinegar, olive oil for a great side dish
Sushi: seaweed, blanched carrots, cucumbers, avocado
Mediterranean pizzas: use pita, hummus, cucumbers, olives, onions, and tomatoes to create your pizza
Fresh fruit salad: all that’s in season for a healthy dessert
Caprese salad: mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and olive oil