Can we talk summer meal ideas?

Hi Misty!

I just went to a friend’s house where they do lots of raw dinners! She served us this veggie slaw

Cut in thin strips or shred in strips w/ food processor. She keeps a lg bowl in frig w/out dressing. Veggies may vary. And use as much or as little as you want

Green Cabbage-Red cabbage-Zucchini-Squash-Green or Red Pepper-Green Onion-Radishes-Carrot-Celery

Now there are a couple of things I don’t care for that was in this dish..but I didn’t taste them at all! Everything was so nicely blending together. It was fresh and yummy! Nice and cold!

Then she made 2 dressings that you add just before you eat. I only have one recipe as of now.

Thousand Island -1/2 c mayo (I use this canola based) 1/4 ketchup (again-organic) 1 tsp agave-1-2 tbsp dried onion–1/2 tsp Mrs Dash Tomato-Basil   — Puree 1/2 peeled cucumber. Mix all together

She also makes raw tomato sauce for veggies and potatoes. There is also a great fruit salad recipe that I lost! It has honey and lemon juice in the dressing!

Here is the website she uses and I have too! Yummy raw as well as cooked recipes! HTH

http://www.hacres.com/recipes

We like Main Dish Salad too – with or without meat.  I put lots of salad toppings in bowls and let them choose what they want.

Bean tostadas – heat refried beans and top with lettuce, tomato, avocado, whatever

Tortilla wraps – veggies, dressing, hot or cold cooked meat (or not), cheese

Lo Mein – cook up whatever veggies you want until tender crisp (I like onion, broccoli, carrot, zucchini and cabbage).  Toss with cooked pasta (linguine, fettucini, spaghetti) and a sauce – I like Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki (or one of their other flavors).

Tacos – cook and season some ground beef and freeze in meal-sized portions.  Re-heat and use lots of veggies to top – we use lettuce, tomato, avocado, cucumber, raw onion, cilantro and sauerkraut

We also do like Lindsey and often have smoothies with additional fresh fruit and veggies for lunch or dinner.  Sometimes I’ll add some homemade muffins or bread (I try to only bake once a week in the hot months).

Loving the ideas. We do the main dish salad idea too except last time I put it all together (otherwise a couple of mine wouldn’t eat). They ate it this time!

We also do fried rice (I know not healthy necessarily but we make it fairly healthy using olive oil and no butter). We just cook the rice in the cooker (you can use any type of rice you like). Then when it is done, we add eggs to a large griddle and a package of frozen mixed veggies (the kind with carrots, peas and corn). You could definitely use fresh veggies but I tend to save those for other things). DH actually cooks this meal, but anyway, he cooks it until the eggs are scrambled and veggies heated through. Actually he adds the veggies a few minutes before eggs.

If we have chicken on hand, we’ll grill or broil some on the side.

I will also sometimes serve a fruit salad with mandarin oranges as the base (no need for an added sweet dressing; just use the liquid from the oranges to your taste).

All of our children love this meal. It is quick and easy and fills us all up.

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I have successfully cooked many sauces and soups on my crock-pot. I used to think I couldn’t do soups in the summer, but I actually like them (and so does the family) when coupled with a cold veggie tray and/or fruit tray. (whatever is on hand!)

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We are having pizza night each Friday night. Simple and fun, and we are trying to make it purposeful. Sit outside and listen to the symphony (of nighttime creatures). Or look at the stars. Make ice cream cones and add some fun: sprinkles, gummy bears, etc. (I know, not healthy but a rare treat around here and just for the summer).

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Omelets are easy and quick, and you can add just about anything: fresh veggies, leftover meat from another meal, etc.

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These are some ones I can think of right now. Nothing fancy around here lately since we brought home our little 2YO daughter: she keeps me hopping!

I mentioned in a thread a while back that we love hummus spread on toasted pita bread with a side salad topped with olives, goat cheese, thin sliced onions, and a light dressing

Fish tacos with mashed avocadoes for the spread, chopped tomatoes or slaw, and squeeze of lemon

Taco salad with black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, shredded cheese, and whatever else

Cooked quinoa mixed with whatever sauteed or roasted veggies desired (good like this or with cooked beans added) 

Quiche with veggies, ham, or bacon

We do lots of smoothies mixed with leafy greens (pineapple/mango/spinach and apple/blueberry/lemon/chard are our favorites)…any leftovers I freeze into popsicle molds and our kids have a cold treat the next day

Interested in more ideas!