5 FAST Meals For Summertime--Here You Go

With summer vacation here we all need fast meals that don't take a lot of time in the kitchen, but still leave everyone feeling satisfied.
Each week, I plan to post a menu with 5 FAST meals in addition to a grocery list to make your summertime meal planning a breeze. Consider doubling some of the recipes to have leftovers for hassle-free lunches as well.



Pasta primavera is a recipe I created years ago to get my family eating more vegetables. I'm proud to say it actually went on to win the Grand Prize in Taste of Home magazine. I make it often and it's a fantastic way to use up the leftovers from veggie trays at parties. I hope you like it~

http://housewifecooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/pasta-primavera.html





My Favorite Fish Dish is super simple and fail-proof. It's the first fish recipe I mastered, and it's a total keeper! With crumbled bacon and scallions on top, you can't lose serving this meal.

http://housewifecooking.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-favorite-fish-recipe.html




This shredded meat recipe is equally delicious whether you use beef or pork. It keeps well, tightly covered in the refrigerator, for several days and is extremely versatile. Burritos, tacos, tostadas, on a bun--sandwich style--it's all good.

http://housewifecooking.blogspot.com/2009/04/shredded-meat-for-tacos.html






Who doesn't love a gooey quesadilla? This one combines chicken and mushrooms and is pretty hard to resist. You may want to make extra...

http://housewifecooking.blogspot.com/2010/03/chicken-mushroom-quesadillas.html




Ah, the burger. The epitome of summertime food. This recipe puts all of the condiments into the burger, before grilling. It results in a juicy, flavorful burger that needs only a slice of cheese and a leaf of lettuce. The recipe makes 16 burgers, but it's easy to "half" or you can freeze the remaining raw burgers, tightly wrapped and frozen, for up to 2 months.

http://housewifecooking.blogspot.com/2009/03/perfect-burgers.html




GROCERY LIST*

2 lbs. chicken breast meat or 2 rotisserie chickens
3 lbs. lean ground beef
3 to 4 pounds beef or pork roast
1 lb. whitefish fillets
1 lb. bacon

salsa
guacamole
sour cream
Parmesan cheese
cheddar or jack cheese
dry pasta (for primavera)
small carton heavy cream
Italian salad dressing mix (dry envelope)
tortillas
hamburger buns
8 oz. canned Ortega green chilies
1 to 2 pounds mushrooms
2 onions
bunch scallions
celery
3 tomatoes
2 lemons
large carrot
zucchini squash


* All amounts are approximate & normal, household staples have not been considered in list. (i.e. salt, pepper, garlic salt, etc.)