I hate the mess of carving, but I love the tradition and love seeing what my kids come up with. Usually by the end of it all I’m too lazy to want to fuss with the seeds and I just throw them out. I never really loved pumpkin seeds, but thought it was only fair to roast some up for my kids and let them try them.
Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken – Faster Than Takeout! (she: Leesh and Lu)
This General Tso’s Chicken has become a fast new favorite. And you can probably throw it together in an Instant Pot faster than you can pick up take-out. It’s tender, moist, flavorful, and has just a handful of ingredients–most of which are pantry staples. You can use thawed or frozen chicken thighs here and serve it over rice or in lettuce.
Chocolate Zucchini Cake – A Tasty, Veggie Treat! (she: Leesh and Lu)
Looking for a way to use up the endless zucchini or summer squash from your garden? Make this decadent chocolate zucchini cake and share it with your neighbors, take it to a potluck, or have it ready for an after-school snack.
Roasted Garden Veggie Sauce – Use Up Those Tomatoes! (she: Leesh and Lu)
Anyone else have tomatoes coming out of their ears?? This sauce is a perfect and delicious way to put them to good use! It freezes well, so make a double batch and freeze some for a quick dinner on another day or to have on hand when the days get cold and you need a tasty reminder of your late summer harvest.
Omelette-Style Scrambled Eggs (she: Leesh and Lu)
This omelette is a great clean-out the fridge recipe that comes together in a snap. Use up those summer veggies in this dish, and enjoy the burst of flavor for the most important meal of the day.
Orange Julius – A Summer Smoothie with NO Added Sugar (she: Leesh and Lu)
We’ve got a great, no-added-sugar recipe for Orange Julius today on the blog! Enjoy a refreshing drink in the heat of summer and feel good about offering it to the kids.
Grilled Rosemary Chicken & Veggie Kebabs (she: Leesh and Lu)
We still have quite a bit of time left in grilling season, but it is usually about half-way through the summer when I panic and realize that we haven’t been grilling as much as we could have been. I think there must be a little bit of magic in cast iron because everything off the grill always tastes better to me and these rosemary chicken kebabs were heavenly!
Summer Pasta – Orecchiette with Broccoli & Sausage (she: Leesh and Lu)
This dish is made without cream, so it’s a lighter recipe that’s perfect for the heat. Summer pasta may not be your first thought, but it’s worth a shot! This orecchiette with broccoli and sausage is delish, and the kids love the fun shaped pasta they picked out!
Lemon Blueberry No-Bake Mini Cheesecake (she: Leesh and Lu)
It’s no secret that we love cheesecake. And we think this frozen, mini, no-bake version should be declared the official dessert of summer! This blueberry lemon version is cool, light, refreshing, and pretty much everything you could ask for in a dessert.
Breakfast Burritos ~ The Perfect Make-Ahead Meal! (she: Leesh and Lu)
These breakfast burritos are a favorite at both of our houses for both quick dinners and for camping. For me to sleep in the wilderness, the food has got to be pretty darn good and these breakfast burritos don’t disappoint. They can be made 100% ahead of time and wrapped in foil until you’re ready to heat them up over the campfire or camp stove. Having everything prepped and ready ahead of time makes camping so much more enjoyable for us!
Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry – Fast and Fancy! (she: Leesh and Lu)
As the weather warms up, we are ever on the lookout for meals that can be on the table quickly and don’t require the oven. This Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry definitely fits the bill! It’s one of those meals that is so fast and simple to make, but feels fancy enough to serve to company.
Fish Tacos – The Shortcuts to Make This Dinner a Cinch! (she: Leesh and Lu)
These fish tacos offer a dinner that can be easily adapted and deconstructed for picky eaters to enjoy, while those with a more sophisticated palate 😉 can enjoy something that isn’t pancakes or macaroni and cheese. For example, the kids ate chips and salsa, fish sticks, tomatoes, and plain tortillas while we enjoyed these tacos.