2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
The afternoon is going well, the weather is nice, the children are having fun with dad, mum is resting with a good book… and maybe even a small glass of rosé. The day goes by and we finally hear the words that some parents dread: “I’m hungry! »
Too late to run to the grocery store and not necessarily want to spend $200 on skewers! Here are some tips to become the queen of improvised dinners at a lower cost.
Develop Tricks
Plan your summer by buying your meats at a discount. If you have a sealer at home, vacuum pack your meats, already marinated and clearly identified. Otherwise, buy freezer bags and remove as much air as possible using a straw. You can, for example, shape meatballs that will go directly from the freezer to the BBQ for express burgers.
Always have in your freezer:
- 1-2 bags of shrimp for grilled skewers or to garnish a rice dish.
- 1-2 packs of bacon to top a potato salad, Caesar salad or hamburger.
- Pesto cubes made from your leftover herbs. Perfect for basting chicken and fish!
- A variety of sausages.
- Mini naan breads for dipping or large ones for quick pizzas.
- Good ice cream to accompany grilled fruit on the BBQ.
In summer, the freezer is your best ally because it allows you to get ahead, stock discount items and store ice cream and homemade lollipops.
Always have in your pantry:
- Canned legumes for a quick salad or homemade hummus.
- Couscous purchased in bulk for a super versatile side dish that's ready in 5 minutes.
- Roasted peppers in oil for a great topping on bread, as a side dish or as a dip.
- Onions, delicious when caramelized on the BBQ.
- Mixed olives for a quick snack.
- Dried tomatoes in oil for a different pasta salad.
- Tortilla chips.
- Quality spices that will take you on a journey in 1 teaspoon.
- Short pasta.
- Snacks like caramel popcorn.
- Maple syrup to prepare salad dressings or to caramelize a nice piece of salmon.
- Honey to sweeten he althy desserts.
Always have in the fridge:
- Vegetables such as multicolored peppers, baby potatoes and cucumbers.
- Cheese, like feta, for a Greek saladinstant.
- Plain yogurt for he althy dressings and marinades.
- Lettuce, washed beforehand, to save time.
- Easy-to-prepare fruits like red grapes and blueberries that kids can eat while they wait for dinner.
Don't hesitate to always fill your fridge with pasta, rice or couscous already cooked for the week. Make sure everything is clearly visible to counter waste.
Good allies:
- Use your slow cooker to whip up a dessert that will cook in it while you're in the pool.
- Choose dishes to share that will free you from the task of serving.
- Stock up on paper towels. This will save you the hassle of washing cloth towels.
Keep it simple. Slow down… to live your summer better!
To consult our complete file on activities to do as a family this summer, click here
