Wednesday, April 18, 2007

My Summer Meals List...

...so far.
I'm up to 17 different meal ideas and would like to get to about 25 to circulate through for the rest of the spring season and throughout the summer. Here's my list, and at the end of it, I'll post one of our favorite recipes. Let me know if you want recipes for any of the other things on this list. You will see, though, that my list is rather simple. Most of these things do not require a recipe; they're intuitive. It's almost embarrassing to post my list, but for any other mommas out there of young kiddos, you may appreciate seeing the reality of our very meager dinner options over here.

1. Pizza Bagels
2. Tomato Soup with grilled cheese--I have a special recipe for the tomato soup
3. Zuchinni Chowder
4. Taco Salad
5. Grilled Chicken Salad
6. Shrimp Salad Sandwiches--I have a great recipe from Doug Shriner
7. Spaghetti with meatballs
8. Pork BBQ sandwiches
9. Grilled meat with fresh fruit and veggies
10. Chicken Pot pie--I have a yummy new recipe I got from Allrecipes.com
11. Tortellini--I usually put it with spaghetti sauce, but I'm going to try a new recipe I found in Real Simple
12. Tuna melts
13. Egg salad pitas
14. White Chili--I have several recipes, but am still trying to find the best all around.
15. BLT’s
16. Quesadillas with egg, beans and avocado--This might sound like an odd combination, but I had it on a get away with my husband down at a little cafe in Solomon's Island, and it was amazing. Now, I make my own version of their dish.
17. Tortilla soup: recipe on Allrecipes.com

I can't remember if I've posted this recipe already or not, but it's for Zuchinni Chowder. It's a recipe my mom gave to me, and it is one of our all time favorite meals.

2 medium zuchini, chopped (I like larger chunks)
2 T. minced fresh parsley (or 1T. dried)
1t. dried basil
1/3 cup margarine or butter
1/3 cup flour
1t.salt
1/4 t. pepper
3 cups water
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 t. lemon juice
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen corn
1/4 cup grated Parm. cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I NEVER add this b/c the soup is thick and rich enough without it, but it's in the original recipe, so I made sure to put it here).
pinch of sugar, optional

In a dutch oven or soup kettle, over medium heat, saute the zuchinni, parsley and basil in butter until veggies are tender. Stir in flour, salt, pepper. Gradually stir in water. Add bouillon and lemon juice; mix well. Bring to boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, milk, corn; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until corn is tender. Just before serving, stir in cheeses until melted. Add sugar and garnish with parsley if desired.
Yields about 2 1/2 quarts.

Enjoy!

10 comments:

FishMama said...

Sounds yummy! I think I better do the same, great idea.

How about....

* salade nicoise (I googled some recipes, but they looked pretty scary. So I'll post mine from Susan Branch's Summer Book. Super yummy and lots of veggies

* fajitas
* tacos
* "snacky dinner" (what my kids call french bread, french cheeses - like emmanthaler or gruyere and boursin, grapes, apples, veggies and dip.

Jessi said...

Hi Bri,

Here's another suggestion for you - chicken cheese steaks - only need a frying pan.

You've got some great meal ideas...I think I'll steal some of them! Thanks!

Jessi said...

Yes, you can use boiled chicken. I often just cut up chick breasts and fry them in the frying pan because it's so fast. Either way, you just take cooked chicken, chop it pretty finely (I use a food chopper from Pampered Chef and it works great), then return it to the frying pan and melt cheese over it. I guess if you're using boiled chicken, you could even just melt the cheese over the chicken in the microwave. Then serve on rolls with tomato sauce, fried onions or whatever you like. It usually goes over well with my gang, and I've got some pretty picky eaters. And best of all, for me, is that it's FAST!!

Anonymous said...

We usually eat this meal at least once a week in the summer...

*Grilled chicken, cut into strips
*Grilled veggies (Yellow, orange, red pepper; onions; zuchinni)
*Pasta - I have used whole wheat pasta, in all shapes imaginable from spaghetti to rotinis, ziti, whatever is on the shelf

***Toss together with EVOO
***Add chopped fresh basil or spinich if you'd like
***Add Parmesean cheese on top.

YUM. We eat this all the time

Anonymous said...

...thank you for the great idea, I am on a total brain freeze as to meal planning. I haven't cooked since 2/27...eat your heart out!!! But these are great ideas, and as soon as I get to a printer i am printing it out. I will put it in my cookbook (that ought to make you laugh, huh). I do have a nice recipe for a chicken taco casserole, which is still printed on the same paper it was written on some 15+ years ago (complete with all kinds of stains...gives it character you know).
So glad to hear about the EUA... I did email you a lenghty, personal, spiritual, etc. only to have it returned. So I will check with emily as to the possile correct address. gigi

Anonymous said...

I liked all the ideas, thanks.

My favorite is a salad, un-named yet, but here are the ingredients:
-Granny smith apple slices
-rasberries
-feta cheese
-dark leaf greens
-any type of vinegrette dressing
Sara Brode introduced me to this!

Love you, amanda

Anonymous said...

These are all fabulous ideas and not simple or plain to me! This mamma of three has done good!

Zoanna said...

I've had your Z Chowder and love it!
I'd like you post the Quesadillas recipes, as well as Doug's Shrimp Salad. I've got his bruschetta recipe; it's the best I've ever had (even at restaurants). I like that you're introducing your kids to a variety of foods. Picky eaters don't make good spouses. I'm glad my late parents-in-law fed Paul a variety. He's easy to please but also loves to experiment.

staceyhoff said...

I hope you will share your recipe for tomato soup! I have been on the hunt for a really good home made one.

Kristie said...

I hope to see the shrimp salad recipe posted!