Cooking Healthy in the Summer

SKATERMEGS82, I am trying the recipe you suggested (the roast with peppercinis) for dinner tonight! I just got it started a couple of hours ago. Thanks a bunch for sharing this idea. I'm excited to see how it comes out!

Favorite quick and healthy dinner? Stir Fry! I have a rice cooker to cook my rice (well, actually, the thing died the other day after about 6 years so I need a new one...) and then cook up the rest on the stovetop and it's quick and easy and you can switch up your meat and veggies and spices and it's so yummy my Japanese son even asked for it as his special dinner for his birthday! :)

My chicken taco recipe starts with a big flat of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (usually the big family pack from the store), a jar of salsa (red or green, depending on my mood. My favorite is Frontera grill salsas because they have a nice smoky flavor and aren't super high in sodium). I add a packet of sazon and a healthy shake of Adobo seasoning. Put it in the crockpot for the usual time (mine takes about 6 hours, yours may be different). When you shred it, be sure to pour all those juices back in with it! It sops up the flavor and makes it really, really tasty. I make a huge batch and freeze extra portions.

I'm learning to appreciate salads that don't involve just lettuce and vegetables. I'm obsessed with Sunny Anderson's Mango Avocado salad. A few weeks ago I made a great cold salad with grilled asparagus (chilled), cherry tomatoes, red onions, and feta. Tonight I'm making a Mexican street corn salad with sweet corn off the cob, lime, a touch of mayo, chiles, and cotija cheese. Usually I obsess over having a starch on the plate, but I've been replacing that with these fresh salads and it's changing the way I plan meals!

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Edited by: BLUEDIADEM at: 5/13/2015 (15:14)

Taco soup sounds delish!!!

I am cooking in one of the crock pots today. A delicious healthy taco soup!! I'm amped to eat it when it gets done tonight! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas all! I'll probably be doing A LOT of crock pot meals and skillet things.

Again thanks for the great thoughts all!

I also love the crock pot for summer- less heat in the house! My go to recipe- large, cheap roast, 2 jars of peppercinis (rings if you can find them), large handful of garlic, and water if needed to mostly cover roast. Throw it all in (including the liquid from the peppercinis!) and ignore for 8 hours. It shreds and falls apart super yummy! I make wraps, and use it for tacos and on salads, and especially on baked potatos, yum!
I also use a grill pan during the summer and make fresh shrimp with a big spinach salad. It feels so summery and decadent!
I tend to eat lighter during the summer (I love sitting outside and just nibbling) so I will make a plate of cut up veggies, pickled vegetables, cold cooked shrimp, etc- whatever I have on hand, and just relax on the porch and enjoy.

The crock pot is a great idea!!! I throw pork chops in there with creamed corn on top. That is one of my recipes. I leave it on low to cook for like 7 hours.

If you have a rice cooker like Bill, you can also make Quinoa in there--just make sure you 100% measure. With the rice I eyeball, I have found with the quinoa you MUST MEASURE.

Another chicken recipe----chicken breast, lemons, Mrs dash onion and herb. So yummy with a salad as your side.

You can also make bread in the crockpot, just look online for a recipe.=)

I love baked potatoes in the crockpot too.

My go to summer meal without the oven is different types of stir fry or fajitas. most are quick sear on the stove top. I have one of those little cheapo rice cookers that we use 2x3 times a week.

I'm grilling now because I finally got one for the first time in years but many years without one I never use the oven in the summer unless it's a cold day.

Crockpot would be a great investment if you like casseroles or one pot dishes but there is so much that you can cook on the stove top too.

I actually have one of those Hattie! I have mostly every kitchen gadget ever made lol!

I will have to try those chicken tacos. That sounds amazing!! I usually make things with like 6-8 servings so I need to start portioning those out better.I have one I found a nice one last night that is only 10 minutes in the oven. I might try it tonight!

I did not know you could bake potatoes in a crock pot!! That is awesome. I usually do mine in the microwave. That's awesome to know. I LOVE both baked regular potatoes and sweet potatoes. I may just have to get some at the store tonight.

I have a really good beef stew recipe in the crock pot but I definitely need more. :-)

Thanks as always for your help. You are the best!!! Hugs!

Jami--I know you are pinching pennies--but seriously invest in a crockpot--you can get a decent one for $20. And since you work 2 jobs, you could throw some chicken breast in before bed, and have your lunch and dinner ready before you ever left for work. I like to throw in a packet of taco seasoning with a few breasts, I then make chicken tacos, top my salad with it, or put it on sandwiches.

Another favorite is to poor a can of dr pepper in with them, they taste like BBQ sandwiches.

Also you can shred the chicken with a mixer if you have one.

Also when using the oven--make a giant batch of whatever it is. Then put it into single serving containers and freeze. That way you don't have to turn it on as often. My Mexican Quinoa only takes 20 minutes in the oven, just enough for it to congeal together, and that is quite a few servings.

Of course you can also do beef in the crockpot, but my fave is chicken. You can also do bake potatoes in there as well. A baked potato topped off with lots of veggies and a protein really isn't all that high in calories.

Let me know how else I can help.
hugs,

Hattie

Well technically my dad has one, but I don't know if he wants me to use it. I've never used the grill before and this like a a REALLY expensive grill. Maybe he will be super nice and let me use it :-)

I rarely use my oven in the summer time. I use the grill, crock pot, or microwave.


We make enchiladas in the oven takes about 15 minutes to cook. Just long enough for cheese to melt.

Sorry you don't have a grill. :( I will look and see what I have.

Hey all! As summer approaches it's about time for the kitchen of my house to become a sauna! Now I love to cook healthy casseroles and yummy things with the oven. The problem is in the summer, it just makes the upper part of the house unlivable. Do any of y'all have a tasty summer recipe that involves less then 45 minutes in the oven? I don't have a grill I can use so I'm stuck to the stove top :-(

Thanks in advance!