Over here at SLR I want to be just that, an inspiration for slow living but also an realist when it comes to modern living. I want to be able to take my kids to museums, parks, zoos and farms, libraries, visiting friends and family, all the things. Some might say I struggle with FOMO (is that still a phrase we use?).
So enter summertime, and we’re done with school for the year. The days are wide open and adventures await. The fruit is growing and needs picked, cleaned and canned. The kids are bickering and need a different scenery, or some friends around.
All these things are great, and lovely. But I still am expected to keep a house, feed people and have clean clothes for everyone.
I will say, my standards are definitely lower around this time. Since I am spending so much time gardening, canning, swimming and exploring. However, these things still need done.
Enter simplistic dinners! Lately we’ve been grilling a meat, and making sides in the morning. Or throwing something in the instant pot. I’d love to share some ideas with you guys! And I’d love to hear any ideas below in the comments.
In the morning I usually throw some meat in a marinade. Either an all around neutral flavored one or a Mexican inspired one for tacos or to serve with rice and beans.
Another thing that helps is prepping any sides (salads, baked potatoes in the Instant Pot, shredding cheese, etc.) in the morning when you are home making breakfast before adventure time. That way your work when you come home is minimal!
Here are some easy dinner main dishes we’ve been enjoying:
- marinated (in the AM) grilled meat
- sloppy joes (served on baked potatoes)
- burgers
- polish sausage with pierogies and sauerkraut
- spaghetti (there’s even an instant pot version)
- pizza and wings (you can grill both of these things) (or take things up a notch and get one of these)
- instant pot beef chuck for tacos, start them in the morning!
Here are some easy sides to go with those main dishes:
- Rice and beans require zero prep since I can my own beans and make rice with 50/50 water and bone broth in the instant pot.
- steamed frozen veggies (broccoli, green beans, corn, etc.)
- grilled or boiled corn on the cob
- canned baked beans
- cucumber salad
- salad
- canned carrots
- baked potatoes (instant pot in the AM so you come home to already cooked potatoes!)
- oven baked potatoes
- macaroni and cheese
- fruit salad
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