When it's hot outside (we live in Texas so it's hot!) I love to cook a pork roast in the slow cooker with just seasoned salt and pepper. Then I shred it up and divide it into 3 portions. One portion I add chipotle Chile powder, cumin, a squirt of orange juice, and squirt of lime juice to make ""pork al pastor" tacos or taco bowls, to one portion I add BBQ sauce for sandwiches or stuffed baked potatoes (prepared in my instant pot or slow cooker) and one portion gets seasoned with soy sauce, Chinese 5 spice, a dash of ground ginger, and Sriracha and turned into an Asian inspired salad with lettuce, carrots, sugar snap peas, mandarin orange slices, cole slaw mix, toasted ramen, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds. It's extra frugal because from one package of cole slaw mix I can make a tangy jalapeno lime spicy garnish for the tacos, cole slaw side for the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, and finish it off in the Asian salad!
Helpful hint for crock pot, instant pot or roaster oven meals in summertime: kick em out to the garage or down to the basement if you have one! It keeps the heat out of the main living spaces. I just made beef stew outside yesterday with no heat in the house! I also do any baking or oven cooking at night so the kitchen can cool off by morning then reheat as necessary in the microwave.
Just make sure that the outlet you plug into can handle the electric load of your crock pot! A couple of years ago I tried to plug my crock pot into an outlet in the garage to cook a pork roast. 10 hours later when I got home from a long day, instead of supper being ready and my being nominated for the amazing mom and wife of the year award, I discovered raw and disgustingly lukewarm "pork roast surprise". We ended up having pb&j for supper and it was so disappointing to have to throw out all that ruined food. All we could think of was that the crock pot required too many amps on that outlet and tripped they breaker??
@@kellywhitley1181 Where I used to live, the outlet in the garage was turned off and on with a switch inside the house. Might check that and see if there's a switch somewhere that doesn't seem to do anything LOL. I'd plug in a lamp or something to try it. I'm so sorry your pork roast was wasted, whatever the reason :(
The best corn I have ever ate was to take the whole corn in the husk and all then pop it in the microwave for 3 mins. My cousin is a farmer and he taught us this, it’s so sweet and good. You don’t even need butter with it.
I'm in western Washington State and we don't usually have really hot weather. I have a few recipes that I rotate during the summer. An orzo pasta salad, an asian cabbage salad, a noodle and cucumber salad, a hummus plate, and finally tabouli. Basically, cold things that have a high-water content. We are finally getting warm weather this week, so long 60 degree days! I can't decide what to make first.
We make Italian subs, of sorts, in the crockpot. Hot dog buns with a smear of garlic butter and Italian seasoning spice. slices of turkey, hard salami, and pepperoni slices, slices of Mozzarella cheese, Roasted peppers or tomatoes. Make the sammies and wrap in foil. Ball up a couple of foil balls to keep the sammies up out of the water and pour in a 1/4 cup of water. Stack the wrapped sandwiches on top of the foil balls. Cook on low for a couple of hours. toss them in an insulated bag and go to a park or a ball game... pretty good stuff. Also works for meatball subs with the precooked meatballs/ Mozzarella cheese slices and a little spaghetti sauce.
My slowcooker win this week..easy and kids loved it.. Meatball subs. Threw some frozen meatballs in with spaghetti sauce. Put on a hot dog bun with cheese and a side salad.
I love to make Asian broccoli slaw! I marinade chicken breasts in Asian sesame dressing (or teriyaki) for a few hours, then grill it, to go with the salad. So good leftover too.
Great ideas! We will cook baking potatoes in our crockpot and do a baked potato bar. Chicken salad sandwiches are a go to meal for us. Occasionally, if it’s just me at home, I’ll make a smoothie for supper. Refreshing, filling and taste fantastic!
This video is perfect timing for everyone right now with this heat wave across the country. I'm working on a menu for the next month and I have a request for taco pinwheels and I was thinking of adding smoothie bowls to the menu, but wasn't sure what other ingredients I should use for toppings and after watching this I have several items on hand I could use. I swear you can read our minds! Lol! A couple of our go-to meals for hot summer days are pasta salads and layered lettuce salad. For the lettuce salad, I believe the recipe my Mom used had 7 layers to it. I try to make it as close to that as I can. Chop up veggies and layer in either a large bowl or even a cake pan. My Mom use to do lettuce, peas, tomatoes, onion, celery, miracle whip, parmesan cheese. I've modified it by taking out what we don't like and adding what we do, like green peppers, shredded cheese, diced ham, and black olives. You can eat immediately or chill until ready to serve. I also omit the miracle whip and let my family add what salad dressings they want for their servings. Thanks again Mindy! Stay cool everyone!
Seven layer salad was a staple for summer gatherings in the Midwest family I grew up in! My family used lettuce, onions, celery, frozen peas, miracle whip, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon. It looked pretty served in a clear glass bowl, too!🙂
When harvesting basil 🌿 cut the whole top off, Down to the next growing node,(where you see new shoots coming out) not just the individual leaves. Apparently it likes it and will grow bushier with more leaves. Last year I didn’t know any better and just harvested leaves as needed for cooking and such and ended up with tall spindly plants 🌱. Also keeps it from flowering, which will change the flavor! 🌼
That’s what I always do. It gets bushier and keeps it from bolting. I live in NC and basil bolts so quickly here, but I’ve got it behind my tomato plants so it gets more shade.
That Asian slaw looks delicious! I just finished a challenge of my own! 56 meals and 28 snacks that are shelf stable and can easily be cooked using a mess kit and a single burner propane camp stove… for a family of 5 (including 2 teenaged boys)! We are taking a road trip to Yellowstone next month and the recent devastating floods up there made me realize we should be prepared for anything.
I 100% agree with crockpots being the way to cook in warm weather! I like 'meal prepping' several chicken breasts, then adding the seasoning after it's cooked so that it can be used in different dishes for several meals, including on top of salads or in wraps for lunch.
I get it. I live in Arizona with triple digits every day. Only use my slow cooker. Had watermelon for dinner. Will try the smoothie bowls. Thx for the great idea!!
Another great video. I love bruschetta with grilled bread and parmesan mayo spread, served with Caesar salad and or grilled chicken. Caprese salad, cucumber salad , hummus and tzatziki are also fast yet delicious to me. I make a mac or potato salad with extra protein in it about every other week to have for a main dish or lunch option. We try to cook once and eat twice which cuts costs and keeps us out of the kitchen. Keep up the great job! Thank you!
I use my Crockpot all year round, even in the summer when I’m burned out and don’t always feel like cooking. I frequently cook 2.5 to 3 lbs at a time (Mexican chicken, salsa chicken, garlic chicken, etc.) and shred it to have for several meals.
So needed! I recently learned how good pasta salad is for this, so I'm glad to have more ideas to serve when it's too hot to use the oven or stove. Please make more of these!
This topic is timely, as I'm in Texas and suffering in the same heat! I made a pasta salad this morning to have tonight: rotini, leftover grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, roasted diced zucchini, diced fontina cheese and basil pesto, with some olive oil to bring everything together. I'm serving it with bruschetta, like you did with your pasta salad! Great minds... :)
Ah I’m also in Texas and girl it is hot! We made sweet shredded pork that we can put in tacos, over rice or in a salad. Love cooking in the crocket pot or instant pot so it doesn’t heat my house up.
It is Tuesday. It is 104 degrees here in California. I have tried not to use any part of my kitchen. Air fryer or BBQ is the best. I love your meals. Corn on the cob is so wonderful. Thanks for the suggestion
Yes! Crockpot, and rice cooker all summer long on the days I can't get out and grill. My rice cooker browns and sautés so I not only use it to make rice but boil water for pasta, and cook meat so I don't have to turn on the stove
Great ideas. We make a similar coleslaw called Cloggers Salad...no idea why it's named that! We like charcuterie when it's too hot. I also grill lots of extra stuff. I did ribs then added smoked sausage and hot dogs too. Threw those in the freezer then on another hot day we had grilled hot dogs and then a pasta salad with smoked sausage without having to cook outside. I always do extra chicken for grilled chicken salads. ❤️
These meals look so fresh, delicious & easy to make. Great tips for hot summer days. It's 97 here in Michigan & I tend to lose my appetite when it gets too hot & humid. Thankfully I have stayed indoors with AC on to get through it. As always, love your videos, Mindy!
Great ideas once again! I have never thought of the crock pot for corn on the cob! I bet that is supurb! Thank you for sharing all of these! God bless all here.
@@SeeMindyMom lol, lol . I dont have an instant pot. I can certainly see benefits of owning that option. But living alone, all the kids gone I dont think I need it. I've done potatoes in a crock and that is excellent. Have a great week!
I cook my corn in the husk in my microwave ! Depending on how many I do 5 to 10 minutes! Be very careful taking the husk off because it is very hot! I love to cook my corn that way!
Same! I replied above saying how (after nuking in the husk) I cut off the bottom of each ear, hold by the tassel, and give it a few swift, strong shakes, until the clean , hot ear falls down, ready to butter and salt, then serve!
I love the Asian slaw salad, I often put cubed chicken in it to have a full meal. We’re burning up here in Michigan too, triple digit heat indexes. 🌞 Our meals have been along the same lines as yours -seafood pasta salad, bbq pulled pork Sammie’s and street corn salad. I like to cook in the evening so that we cool off overnight. Last few days been making strawberry jam and that heats things up.
Chinese chicken salad made either with precooked and frozen chicken strips, or leftover grilled chicken breasts, sliced into bite sized pieces. Serve on top of Romaine lettuce, green onions, canned mandarin orange slices, almond slivers or ramen noodles as toppers, with ginger Asian salad dressing and shredded Parmesan cheese. I chill the canned mandarin oranges in the fridge all day so they are cool like the rest of the ingredients. Yum! 🍊 🥬🥗
I use my stove top and instantpot a lot in the summer to cook meat. Then it is added to salads, wraps (including lettuce wraps), Buddha bowls. A favorite is IP chicken wings - only 20 min at 400°. Perfect with French potato salad, Hawaiian Mac salad, fruit salad, baked beans done on the stove top.
Good afternoon 98 degrees here - heat index into the triple digits (SE Michigan). Yogurt, fruit and granola for breakfast. Perfectly timed video cause there will be no heavy cooking going on here either.
I've never done corn on the cob in a crockpot, great idea, I just bought some at Costco. Will definitely try that Asian coleslaw, I have a head of cabbage hanging around but first have to finish the macaroni salad. A few videos back you were talking about instant grits, you probably won't believe this but I had never had grits before, shocking to a lot of people I'm sure. Anyway I had to get oatmeal and the instant grits were right there and I remembered you so I bought it. The next day I made a serving for myself, put alot of butter on it and sprinkled with cheddar cheese. It was pretty good, the consistency reminded me of cream of wheat, which I haven't had in awhile. Anyway now I like that.😋
It's next year!! Thanks for the video and the great comments of other viewers, especially when those with explanations if how you did something (e.g. the pork roast 3 ways idea). I went through and wrote down ideas that appealed to me. We're in our 2nd (maybe 3rd?? ) heatwave of the year already so ideas are much needed. I'm adding watermelon slushies with cucumber sandwiches. Puree or blend seedless watermelon and add to a pretty glass with soda poured over. Orange is great (I can't have orange but others can and they love it) or lemon lime soda. Cucumber Sandwich - can be as no fuss or high fuss as you want. Thinner bread of choice- not a roll or baguette so much, although they work); butter, then mayonnaise (I know-sacrilege for my UK cousins - life is hard and then you die LOL), thin slices of cucumber. Salt. Pepper if you must. That's it. Plain. A nice cool meal.
I made chicken salad last night but I created a recipe I made a chicken bacon ranch style chicken salad and with chicken salad you can serve it on crackers or bread or tortilla shells you can put it in a lot of sleep like better lettuce and have it like that and it's nice and cool basically some ranch seasoning mayonnaise shredded chicken obviously bacon obviously that is crumbled and you can really use whatever crunchy vegetables you want and what I had on hand were the mini sweet peppers and onion and a carrot so I shredded the carrot and the mini bell peppers and dice The Onion mix it all together and it wasn't too bad my oldest son really liked it my youngest is autistic so he has food issues but he did enjoy the shredded chicken I made and when I make the chicken the night before and I did it when the sun was down so my house wouldn't get so hot I also seasoned it with ranch seasoning so in my opinion I used too much ranch seasoning but to each their own flavor it's just an idea for you guys
We love an Asian bagged salad, prepared then add some cucumbers and tomatoes, along with some hard boiled eggs and split a small can of tuna or salmon for a satisfying summer evening meal for 2.
We love doing super subs in the summer. Use a $1 loaf of bread from Walmart and add deli meats and cheeses. Then slice into sandwiches and let everyone choose their own toppings. We also do a make your own salad bar. I toss a HUGE a bowl full of different lettuces and chopped veggies. Then we set out all the different toppings for everyone to dress their salads with. Eggs, meats, cheeses, nuts, croutons and other chopped veggies and pickled products. This is one of my favorite summer meals!
Yep. The Mid-South Summer is official. Also a short drought. (hopefully) I refuse to use my oven. Bare minimum of the surface burners. Not a lot of heat coming off the slow cooker.
Was literally like 10min away from DMing you which one of the videos was the dang pinwheels. Keeping kosher knocks out like half the ingredients, but the approach is clutch.
Thanks for the great examples of cool meals for hot summer days Mindy! We've been in the upper 90s and low triple digits up here in Omaha as well. has been making it tough for the College World Series players and fans but nothing that we aren't kind of used to. Did you watch your Sooners play!?
I usually let mine cook on low for 4-5 hours, high for 2ish. I also think it's not necessary to wrap it i foil, I usually just do that when I ad butter and seasoning to it.
I always make corn on the cob in the microwave. You leave the husks on, put about 4 ears on a plate, heat 4 minutes per ear (12 min total), let rest while nuking the next plate of 4. Then just prior to serving, you cut off the bottom of each ear, hold by the tassel and shake until the cob falls out, clean, hot, and ready to butter and salt! Yummy! So simple that I never make them any other way! 🌽🌽🌽🌽
When it's hot outside (we live in Texas so it's hot!) I love to cook a pork roast in the slow cooker with just seasoned salt and pepper. Then I shred it up and divide it into 3 portions. One portion I add chipotle Chile powder, cumin, a squirt of orange juice, and squirt of lime juice to make ""pork al pastor" tacos or taco bowls, to one portion I add BBQ sauce for sandwiches or stuffed baked potatoes (prepared in my instant pot or slow cooker) and one portion gets seasoned with soy sauce, Chinese 5 spice, a dash of ground ginger, and Sriracha and turned into an Asian inspired salad with lettuce, carrots, sugar snap peas, mandarin orange slices, cole slaw mix, toasted ramen, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds. It's extra frugal because from one package of cole slaw mix I can make a tangy jalapeno lime spicy garnish for the tacos, cole slaw side for the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, and finish it off in the Asian salad!
I’m in CT; I’m coming over for dinner!!! 😅
Awesome ideas; thank you! 🧡Tanya
BLTs always hits the spot at our house. Especially with the microwavable bacon and a nice home grown tomato... Yum!
Yes, they are a go to at our house when we do not want to cook!!
YES! Thank God for pre cooked bacon!! I’m so lazy 🥹
Helpful hint for crock pot, instant pot or roaster oven meals in summertime: kick em out to the garage or down to the basement if you have one! It keeps the heat out of the main living spaces. I just made beef stew outside yesterday with no heat in the house! I also do any baking or oven cooking at night so the kitchen can cool off by morning then reheat as necessary in the microwave.
I do the same.. Make a casserole at night ..reheat next day in microwave. Oatmeal bakes too for breakfast .. Reheats great.
Just make sure that the outlet you plug into can handle the electric load of your crock pot! A couple of years ago I tried to plug my crock pot into an outlet in the garage to cook a pork roast. 10 hours later when I got home from a long day, instead of supper being ready and my being nominated for the amazing mom and wife of the year award, I discovered raw and disgustingly lukewarm "pork roast surprise". We ended up having pb&j for supper and it was so disappointing to have to throw out all that ruined food. All we could think of was that the crock pot required too many amps on that outlet and tripped they breaker??
@@kellywhitley1181 Where I used to live, the outlet in the garage was turned off and on with a switch inside the house. Might check that and see if there's a switch somewhere that doesn't seem to do anything LOL. I'd plug in a lamp or something to try it. I'm so sorry your pork roast was wasted, whatever the reason :(
The best corn I have ever ate was to take the whole corn in the husk and all then pop it in the microwave for 3 mins. My cousin is a farmer and he taught us this, it’s so sweet and good. You don’t even need butter with it.
I'm in western Washington State and we don't usually have really hot weather. I have a few recipes that I rotate during the summer. An orzo pasta salad, an asian cabbage salad, a noodle and cucumber salad, a hummus plate, and finally tabouli. Basically, cold things that have a high-water content. We are finally getting warm weather this week, so long 60 degree days! I can't decide what to make first.
We make Italian subs, of sorts, in the crockpot. Hot dog buns with a smear of garlic butter and Italian seasoning spice. slices of turkey, hard salami, and pepperoni slices, slices of Mozzarella cheese, Roasted peppers or tomatoes. Make the sammies and wrap in foil. Ball up a couple of foil balls to keep the sammies up out of the water and pour in a 1/4 cup of water. Stack the wrapped sandwiches on top of the foil balls. Cook on low for a couple of hours. toss them in an insulated bag and go to a park or a ball game... pretty good stuff.
Also works for meatball subs with the precooked meatballs/ Mozzarella cheese slices and a little spaghetti sauce.
My slowcooker win this week..easy and kids loved it.. Meatball subs. Threw some frozen meatballs in with spaghetti sauce. Put on a hot dog bun with cheese and a side salad.
Great idea!
I love that Asian Cole slaw with Ramen in it! I add peanuts and sesame seeds to mine.
I love to make Asian broccoli slaw! I marinade chicken breasts in Asian sesame dressing (or teriyaki) for a few hours, then grill it, to go with the salad. So good leftover too.
Great ideas! We will cook baking potatoes in our crockpot and do a baked potato bar. Chicken salad sandwiches are a go to meal for us. Occasionally, if it’s just me at home, I’ll make a smoothie for supper. Refreshing, filling and taste fantastic!
Our favorite is chicken grapes salad. Cut up chicken and red grapes mixed up in mayo. You can add slivered almonds if desired.
Had no idea I could do corn on cob in slow cooker! Yes! Love the smoothie bowl ideas which are healthy and budget friendly. Love the blue nails too! 😘
This video is perfect timing for everyone right now with this heat wave across the country. I'm working on a menu for the next month and I have a request for taco pinwheels and I was thinking of adding smoothie bowls to the menu, but wasn't sure what other ingredients I should use for toppings and after watching this I have several items on hand I could use. I swear you can read our minds! Lol!
A couple of our go-to meals for hot summer days are pasta salads and layered lettuce salad. For the lettuce salad, I believe the recipe my Mom used had 7 layers to it. I try to make it as close to that as I can. Chop up veggies and layer in either a large bowl or even a cake pan. My Mom use to do lettuce, peas, tomatoes, onion, celery, miracle whip, parmesan cheese. I've modified it by taking out what we don't like and adding what we do, like green peppers, shredded cheese, diced ham, and black olives. You can eat immediately or chill until ready to serve. I also omit the miracle whip and let my family add what salad dressings they want for their servings.
Thanks again Mindy! Stay cool everyone!
The layer dip is a good idea, too.
Seven layer salad was a staple for summer gatherings in the Midwest family I grew up in! My family used lettuce, onions, celery, frozen peas, miracle whip, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon. It looked pretty served in a clear glass bowl, too!🙂
When harvesting basil 🌿 cut the whole top off, Down to the next growing node,(where you see new shoots coming out) not just the individual leaves. Apparently it likes it and will grow bushier with more leaves. Last year I didn’t know any better and just harvested leaves as needed for cooking and such and ended up with tall spindly plants 🌱. Also keeps it from flowering, which will change the flavor! 🌼
That’s what I always do. It gets bushier and keeps it from bolting. I live in NC and basil bolts so quickly here, but I’ve got it behind my tomato plants so it gets more shade.
Thanks for the tip!
Everything looks so yummy, thanks for sharing 👍👍👍
Yeah!!! No heat in the kitchen... TFS 💕
I'm all about sandwiches at this time of year. Cold soups are also good.
That Asian inspired salad looks AMAZING!
It was good with the ground turkey, I’m going to make it again!
That Asian slaw looks delicious! I just finished a challenge of my own! 56 meals and 28 snacks that are shelf stable and can easily be cooked using a mess kit and a single burner propane camp stove… for a family of 5 (including 2 teenaged boys)! We are taking a road trip to Yellowstone next month and the recent devastating floods up there made me realize we should be prepared for anything.
Thanks, Mindy! It’s hot as heck here, too. Hope your AC works good!
Great meal ideas Mindy! It’s been hot here in So Cal where I live, my motivation to cook decreases….these recipes look tasty.
Please keep these coming!! We live where it is hot and dry. Super appreciate your ideas
Even Ohio is in the 90s this week which is wild! I’m totally for this!
I 100% agree with crockpots being the way to cook in warm weather! I like 'meal prepping' several chicken breasts, then adding the seasoning after it's cooked so that it can be used in different dishes for several meals, including on top of salads or in wraps for lunch.
It is hot in Missouri too! We have been enjoying tomatoes stuffed with tuna salad-vert refreshing. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the ideas! My go to as of late is caprese salad, and then chopping that up and adding cold pasta.
I get it. I live in Arizona with triple digits every day. Only use my slow cooker. Had watermelon for dinner. Will try the smoothie bowls. Thx for the great idea!!
I love a good antipasto salad to keep in the fridge and eat off during the week. 🥰
Mindy and family have a great week late happy father's day thanks from Oklahoma
Thanks, Sherry! You, too!
Another great video. I love bruschetta with grilled bread and parmesan mayo spread, served with Caesar salad and or grilled chicken. Caprese salad, cucumber salad , hummus and tzatziki are also fast yet delicious to me. I make a mac or potato salad with extra protein in it about every other week to have for a main dish or lunch option. We try to cook once and eat twice which cuts costs and keeps us out of the kitchen. Keep up the great job! Thank you!
I use my Crockpot all year round, even in the summer when I’m burned out and don’t always feel like cooking. I frequently cook 2.5 to 3 lbs at a time (Mexican chicken, salsa chicken, garlic chicken, etc.) and shred it to have for several meals.
I love the smoothie bowl for dinner idea! My kiddos would love that and thinks it’s a fun treat for dinner 😀
Great video! Tonight I am having a snowcone for dinner but tomorrow I am trying the wrap, lol.
Haha! I’ve been there. I’ll admit, we’ve had Braums (ice cream) for dinner on a hot summer night before!
My go to meals are tuna salad , lunch meat sandwiches. Pb & j. Cereal , cheese sticks , fruit . Charcuterie board. Nuts , popcorn.
We do charcuterie a lot in the summer, too. Or “snack supper” as my kids call it! 😊
I make the Asian coleslaw and I use leftover grilled chicken, steak or pork . Love this one. I will have to try the pinwheels.
So needed! I recently learned how good pasta salad is for this, so I'm glad to have more ideas to serve when it's too hot to use the oven or stove. Please make more of these!
I LOVE the color of your nail polish!
This topic is timely, as I'm in Texas and suffering in the same heat! I made a pasta salad this morning to have tonight: rotini, leftover grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, roasted diced zucchini, diced fontina cheese and basil pesto, with some olive oil to bring everything together. I'm serving it with bruschetta, like you did with your pasta salad! Great minds... :)
Sounds delicious!
Ah I’m also in Texas and girl it is hot! We made sweet shredded pork that we can put in tacos, over rice or in a salad. Love cooking in the crocket pot or instant pot so it doesn’t heat my house up.
Thanks for these! We’re in Mississippi and our weather heinous as well…smoothie bowls for supper is brilliant !
It is Tuesday. It is 104 degrees here in California. I have tried not to use any part of my kitchen. Air fryer or BBQ is the best. I love your meals. Corn on the cob is so wonderful. Thanks for the suggestion
Yes! Crockpot, and rice cooker all summer long on the days I can't get out and grill. My rice cooker browns and sautés so I not only use it to make rice but boil water for pasta, and cook meat so I don't have to turn on the stove
Oh pasta with the rice cooker is a GREAT idea! I need to try that! I have a rice cooker setting on my slow cooker.
Great ideas. We make a similar coleslaw called Cloggers Salad...no idea why it's named that! We like charcuterie when it's too hot. I also grill lots of extra stuff. I did ribs then added smoked sausage and hot dogs too. Threw those in the freezer then on another hot day we had grilled hot dogs and then a pasta salad with smoked sausage without having to cook outside. I always do extra chicken for grilled chicken salads. ❤️
Amazing ideas thanks a bunch
These meals look so fresh, delicious & easy to make. Great tips for hot summer days. It's 97 here in Michigan & I tend to lose my appetite when it gets too hot & humid. Thankfully I have stayed indoors with AC on to get through it. As always, love your videos, Mindy!
Great ideas once again! I have never thought of the crock pot for corn on the cob! I bet that is supurb! Thank you for sharing all of these!
God bless all here.
Several have mentioned it works in the IP, too. I keep forgetting I have one of those now!
@@SeeMindyMom lol, lol . I dont have an instant pot. I can certainly see benefits of owning that option. But living alone, all the kids gone I dont think I need it. I've done potatoes in a crock and that is excellent. Have a great week!
I have to try the smoothie bowls. What a great idea. Thank you for sharing all these tips with us ❤️
We are having the same weather here in KY. Thanks for the great ideas.
Thank for easy delicious summer meals.
Glad you like them!
I cook my corn in the husk in my microwave ! Depending on how many I do 5 to 10 minutes! Be very careful taking the husk off because it is very hot! I love to cook my corn that way!
Same! I replied above saying how (after nuking in the husk) I cut off the bottom of each ear, hold by the tassel, and give it a few swift, strong shakes, until the clean , hot ear falls down, ready to butter and salt, then serve!
I love these videos! Lots of good ideas! I like to make a big pasta salad or potato salad and just grill a protein and eat on it all week!
Great idea!!
Love all your recipe ideas!! Thank you for sharing!! I’m definitely going to try the smoothie bowls!
Glad you like them!
I would love more tips for using your slow cooker during the summer! :)
I love the Asian slaw salad, I often put cubed chicken in it to have a full meal. We’re burning up here in Michigan too, triple digit heat indexes. 🌞 Our meals have been along the same lines as yours -seafood pasta salad, bbq pulled pork Sammie’s and street corn salad. I like to cook in the evening so that we cool off overnight. Last few days been making strawberry jam and that heats things up.
My mom make the ramen noodle salad, too. It is so good!
Chinese chicken salad made either with precooked and frozen chicken strips, or leftover grilled chicken breasts, sliced into bite sized pieces. Serve on top of Romaine lettuce, green onions, canned mandarin orange slices, almond slivers or ramen noodles as toppers, with ginger Asian salad dressing and shredded Parmesan cheese. I chill the canned mandarin oranges in the fridge all day so they are cool like the rest of the ingredients. Yum! 🍊 🥬🥗
It’s late April 2023, in Az ☀️ 🏜️ 🌵
Thank you for posts like these.
You are so true thankyou.
Great meals Mindy 👏
Thanks so much!
I use my stove top and instantpot a lot in the summer to cook meat. Then it is added to salads, wraps (including lettuce wraps), Buddha bowls. A favorite is IP chicken wings - only 20 min at 400°. Perfect with French potato salad, Hawaiian Mac salad, fruit salad, baked beans done on the stove top.
Great tip!
Good afternoon 98 degrees here - heat index into the triple digits (SE Michigan). Yogurt, fruit and granola for breakfast. Perfectly timed video cause there will be no heavy cooking going on here either.
We might have a cool down next week...high of 89 on Monday, supposedly! Woohoo!
Have you had the Swedish meatballs?super great food.thanks
These look delicious Mindy!
Love love LOVE the smoothie bowls idea. Can't wait to try them! My hubby doesn't like yogurt so I guess he'll have cereal that night 😉
Great inspiration to get us all cooking or preparing a great summer dinner!
Thanks, Kay!
Love this from FL
I'm in Illinois and we are also in heat advisory its 93( feels like 100) here today! Great recipes
I love bran flakes on my sweet treats. It stays crunchy for a good bit and add lots of healthy fiber!🥣🌾🧋
I've never done corn on the cob in a crockpot, great idea, I just bought some at Costco. Will definitely try that Asian coleslaw, I have a head of cabbage hanging around but first have to finish the macaroni salad. A few videos back you were talking about instant grits, you probably won't believe this but I had never had grits before, shocking to a lot of people I'm sure. Anyway I had to get oatmeal and the instant grits were right there and I remembered you so I bought it. The next day I made a serving for myself, put alot of butter on it and sprinkled with cheddar cheese. It was pretty good, the consistency reminded me of cream of wheat, which I haven't had in awhile. Anyway now I like that.😋
So glad I could give an idea, Charlotte! Yes, grits definitely have sort of a cream of wheat texture. 😊
LOVE your nail color!!!!
We had a crunchy ramen salad for dinner last night! We added some shredded chicken, because that's the way my mom always made it.
Knocked it out of the park on this one! Added these recipes on my to try next list!
Glad I could help, Kayla!
I need that salad in my
life!:)
It's next year!! Thanks for the video and the great comments of other viewers, especially when those with explanations if how you did something (e.g. the pork roast 3 ways idea). I went through and wrote down ideas that appealed to me. We're in our 2nd (maybe 3rd?? ) heatwave of the year already so ideas are much needed.
I'm adding watermelon slushies with cucumber sandwiches.
Puree or blend seedless watermelon and add to a pretty glass with soda poured over. Orange is great (I can't have orange but others can and they love it) or lemon lime soda.
Cucumber Sandwich - can be as no fuss or high fuss as you want. Thinner bread of choice- not a roll or baguette so much, although they work); butter, then mayonnaise (I know-sacrilege for my UK cousins - life is hard and then you die LOL), thin slices of cucumber. Salt. Pepper if you must. That's it. Plain. A nice cool meal.
That smoothie bowl looks so yummy! 😋 I will be trying it soon! Thanks for the “cool” ideas! ❤️
Great tips! Love love my crockpot too!
Love your recipes ideas thanks.😍
I take trader Joe's bruscetta and toss with cooked pasta and parm. Chicken breast or tenders marinated in Italian dressing on the bbq. Easy dinner.
I made chicken salad last night but I created a recipe I made a chicken bacon ranch style chicken salad and with chicken salad you can serve it on crackers or bread or tortilla shells you can put it in a lot of sleep like better lettuce and have it like that and it's nice and cool basically some ranch seasoning mayonnaise shredded chicken obviously bacon obviously that is crumbled and you can really use whatever crunchy vegetables you want and what I had on hand were the mini sweet peppers and onion and a carrot so I shredded the carrot and the mini bell peppers and dice The Onion mix it all together and it wasn't too bad my oldest son really liked it my youngest is autistic so he has food issues but he did enjoy the shredded chicken I made and when I make the chicken the night before and I did it when the sun was down so my house wouldn't get so hot I also seasoned it with ranch seasoning so in my opinion I used too much ranch seasoning but to each their own flavor it's just an idea for you guys
We love an Asian bagged salad, prepared then add some cucumbers and tomatoes, along with some hard boiled eggs and split a small can of tuna or salmon for a satisfying summer evening meal for 2.
We love doing super subs in the summer. Use a $1 loaf of bread from Walmart and add deli meats and cheeses. Then slice into sandwiches and let everyone choose their own toppings.
We also do a make your own salad bar. I toss a HUGE a bowl full of different lettuces and chopped veggies. Then we set out all the different toppings for everyone to dress their salads with. Eggs, meats, cheeses, nuts, croutons and other chopped veggies and pickled products. This is one of my favorite summer meals!
Great ideas!
Yep. The Mid-South Summer is official. Also a short drought. (hopefully) I refuse to use my oven. Bare minimum of the surface burners. Not a lot of heat coming off the slow cooker.
Outstanding
Thanks!
Can we see a crock bread video?
That sounds dreamy!!
..
How long did you cook the corn in the crockpot? High or low? Did you add water to the bottom, or just the corn wrapped in foil?
95 here in KY this afternoon. Predicting higher for tomorrow.
I use the instantpot for my corn. You can put it right in the cup of water or use a trivet and it’s quick.
That's a good idea...I keep forgetting I have an IP now...
Love these recipes, will definitely try them all (even if it's winter here in Australia now) :)
I WISH we could get broccoli slaw in the uk!!
@mindy I love hearing that your daughter is growing herbs for you! 🎶
My mom makes that “Asian slaw” without the meat! So good
Was literally like 10min away from DMing you which one of the videos was the dang pinwheels. Keeping kosher knocks out like half the ingredients, but the approach is clutch.
These meals looks delicious it is hot here in Texas as well as I am writing this post it is 98 outside at 610 pm art summer temps are unbearable
Great ideas! I can feel the brain freeze now from the smoothie bowl! LOL
Thanks for the great examples of cool meals for hot summer days Mindy! We've been in the upper 90s and low triple digits up here in Omaha as well. has been making it tough for the College World Series players and fans but nothing that we aren't kind of used to. Did you watch your Sooners play!?
Yes! Can’t wait to watch them again tomorrow!
@@SeeMindyMomonto the finals! Do you think it will be Arkansas or Ole Miss?
I never thought of making corn on the cob in the slow cooker. I’m guessing you can cook it on low for anywhere from 2-4 hours
I usually let mine cook on low for 4-5 hours, high for 2ish. I also think it's not necessary to wrap it i foil, I usually just do that when I ad butter and seasoning to it.
@@SeeMindyMom thank you!
I always make corn on the cob in the microwave. You leave the husks on, put about 4 ears on a plate, heat 4 minutes per ear (12 min total), let rest while nuking the next plate of 4. Then just prior to serving, you cut off the bottom of each ear, hold by the tassel and shake until the cob falls out, clean, hot, and ready to butter and salt! Yummy! So simple that I never make them any other way! 🌽🌽🌽🌽
You can cook corn on cob with shucks on in microwave for about 5 min for three cobs then take it out and let it sit for about 10 min. Delicious
Have u ever made a Nappa Salad? SOOOO GOOD
What do you use for laundry detergent to save money?
I use my instant pot and crockpot almost everyday . I use it to cook all my pasta ,corn cobs , and rice 🤣
Yummy!👍👍👍👍
Thanks, Laura!
Helpful💚💚💚💚