Summer Grilling: Summer snack and Meal Ideas
I hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July and is having a festive summer! We stayed home and spent time together cooking, snacking, and having the kids play at home. It’s no pool few days for us because Jackson has swimmer’s ear, so we’re melting a little… but our snacking is of course on point! And pretty much all summer, my mentality is just fun and light eating. My appetite is always less in summer and I guess I shouldn’t fault my kids too much for hanging out in the pantry, all I want are snacks too.
When it comes to snacking in the summer, there’s a few things that are always staples in what I like to put out. I also am always on both ends of the spectrum as far as healthy and a little junky, so there’s something for everyone lol! We pulled out our new Dynaglo grill on the 4th to grill a nice little lunch, and try something a little different than our usual hotdogs and smashburgers. I had a board of my favorite snack items that I like to graze on while preparing food, and Robert grilled a skirt steak for steak tacos. And these aren’t just any steak tacos, every detail of them is grilled down to the tortilla.
Summer Snack Ideas:
For the steak: Robert marinates it in a bag a few hours beforehand, which makes it really tender. I tend to steer away from cuts of meat that are really fatty, and Robert is seriously the expert and knows those have the flavor, so marinating really helps it so I can eat it. The steak is grilled, then we slice it into strips for our tacos.
Tortillas: We brought out our cast iron to the grill, fill with a bit of oil, and brown the tortilla. Literally I will never eat a plan tortilla again, this way is so good and it makes it so flavorful.
Taco details: We chop up onions and peppers and sautee them in butter. The coolest thing on this Dynaglo grill is the burner to the side, letting you cook your meal’s details while you are grilling. No running back and forth inside to your stove. It’s literally genius!
Snack details: Here is my specialty… so let me address my Doritos option. This is a spin on the beloved nachos from Momma G’s in Auburn, and I’ve loved this combo of Doritos and pepperjack cheese since I first tried it 18 years ago in college… wow I’m old. So they steam it, but I’ve found that I just love cold pepperjack slices on top of the chips too. It’s a different way, but just as good. Then I love slicing everything really tiny, I think that’s just the way I like to eat and it also helps my kids eat too. My favorite Ranier cherries are in season for summer and looking SO. GOOD.
For a bit of sweet, I always like having berries with whipped cream. I made my own always, it’s so much better!
Here is what I use:
Organic Heavy Whipping Cream
A cap-full of Madagascar Vanilla Extract (I’ve talked about this before, but Madagascar Vanilla is truly better in taste. It’s more rich and flavorful. The price is a little more, but so worth it, trust me)
Cane sugar (I really measure just to taste. I don’t go crazy, so it’s not super sweet, but just enough to make it sweet)
Once in a bowl, I whip with a hand mixer until it’s thick enough to not be watery, but you don’t want to mix it too long, because it will thicken too much.
Shop my Summer Outfit Below:
You can find patio and grill details below:
NOTE: Home Depot is offering free delivery for frills purchased online OR free assembly if purchased in store. Definitely take them up on this!
Grill | Rug | Wooden Lounge Chair | Throw Blanket | Black and White Throw Pillows
5-Burner Open Cart LP Gas Grill in Stainless Steel and Black with Side Burner
Baxter Black White 10 ft. x 10 ft. Square Indoor/Outdoor Braided Area Rug
Pomona Teak Brown Outdoor Patio Lounge Chair with Beige Cushion
Soft Crossed 50 in. x 60 in. Black/White Decorative Throw Blanket
Sunbrella Cabana Classic Square Outdoor Throw Pillow (2-Pack)
Gemma Metallic Blue/Gold Throw
HB 24-Socket 48 ft. Incandescent String Light
