Summertime is full of vacations, staycations, running around and general busyness and can feel like we lose touch with each other, but with all of the parties, BBQs, picnics, pool parties etc. It provides us with so many different ways to connect. So while summer is different from the rest of the year I encourage you to take advantage of the chance to connect, reconnect and just hang out with one another and build relationships as well as memories, so while this is a busy time remember you are still “Bringing Back Dinner”; food is the tool that gathers us. Have fun and laugh a lot!
Time: 30 Minutes
Ease: Simple
Review: I really do like Pampered Chef recipes, they are easy and always look like you worked much harder than y ou did. This recipe is no different. It was a quick and easy but still tasty meal. We made an exchange though; spinach for broccoli. You could use either vegetable or add something new. This dish would be easy to play around with.
MEATLESS MONDAY – Kitchen Treaty – Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili
Time: 6-8 hours on low
Ease: Simple
Review: This dish sounds weird, I’ll just say it, but it is really very good! My family loved it and one of them even tweeted about it “Let’s just make a deal to put pumpkin in everything. It makes food ten times better.” You can’t get a much better review! We were divided on one aspect of this dish – heat. That is why they make Sriracha sauce. Just serve hot sauce on the side for those who want a little heat. Otherwise a perfect meal.
We often think of the slow cooker as a winter cooking device, but it is a great for the summer. It doesn’t heat up the kitchen and frees you up to run around town all day and not worry about dinner. Pull out your crockpot and have a great day at the pool! Dinner will be waiting for you.