When it comes to preparing meals while you and the family are soaking up the joy of summer and holiday, the best idea is to keep it simple.
Who wants to spend all their time in the kitchen when you could be relaxing? My guess is no one. If you are planning on taking it easy and relaxing this summer, follow these handy tips for simple summer eating to ensure you get maximum enjoyment out of your holiday with minimum effort in the kitchen.
What can you prepare for your famished family after an adventurous day out that is quick, easy and nutritious?
Obviously loads of outdoor eating will lean easily towards barbecue meals. Be sure to extend the usual meat repertoire to include loads of vegetables for a lighter healthier complete meal. Try corn, zucchini chunks, mushrooms of any size, capsicum or sweet potato as great grilled options.
Get creative with your salads too. Build some of the traditional summer favourites into a complete simple summer eating solution with the addition of the like of grilled chicken strips, slices from the Christmas ham or even a tin of tuna.
When you do step up and cook, doubling the recipe quantities will create leftovers for lunch or another dinner meal. You will be grateful when you don’t have the energy to cook after a day in the sun.
If you’re heading away from home, it may suit to prepare and freeze meals before you leave. Although this may seem like a little effort, you will appreciate it when you come home from a long walk or simply can’t bear to look at the kitchen. Bolognese sauce, curry, lasagne or soups are great for freezing and can stretch over two meals. These meals are not only healthy, they are ideal for heating up on the stove or defrosting in the microwave, whilst you put your feet up and relax. You know you deserve it.
The following recipe offers a twist on a traditional favourite. It won’t take a lot of preparation or cooking equipment either and provides a lighter, healthier flavour perfect for summer. So when the day is over, relax, pour yourself a drink and take comfort in the fact that you have a meal in the oven waiting to be served. Cheers!
Brought to you by Fresh Finesse Fresh Food
Mushroom cottage pie
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 500 g lean beef mince
- 500 g button mushrooms diced
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 400 g can peeled tomatoes undrained
- 3 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2½ cups mashed potato made from 600g Royal Blue potatoes
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for five minutes or until soft. Add beef mince and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes or until browned. Add mushrooms and cook for five more minutes. Stir in tomato paste, tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 220ºC. Spoon mince mixture into a 5-cup ovenproof dish. Top evenly with mashed potato. Bake for 20 minutes or until potato begins to brown.
Notes
Energising peach and banana smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 peach chopped
- 1 banana chopped
- 1 orange chopped
- ½ cup natural or fruit yogurt
- ½ cup crushed ice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until combined. Serve immediately.
