Summer is officially here.

Summer cooking is definitely different from cooking during the cold winter months. Some say summer is the best time to be a lazy cook. During the summer, we tend to keep things a bit more simple, grill more, and use smaller appliances such as slow cookers, rather than heating up the kitchen with the oven.

Growing up on a farm, we did not own a grill or cook a meal outside as it is done today. My father felt it was my mom’s job to cook. I actually think it is great to see “family team work” with the “man of the house” grilling and the others getting the rest of the meal together.

Grilled Veggie Skewers

Trying a new recipe is fun and can allow for creativity. What a great way to eat something healthy, too, with vegetables on the grill right along with the meat. My daughter-in-law has prepared this recipe but if you use bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in cold water for 20 minutes first. That way they won’t catch on fire on the grill. Any combination of vegetables can be cooked on the grill, even beef tips or some other kinds of meat you have available.

Ingredients

1 fresh pineapple, cut into chunks

2 medium zucchinis, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium yellow squash, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 pound whole fresh mushrooms

1 medium red onion, cut into chunks

12 cherry tomatoes

1 medium red bell pepper, cut into chunks

Use 8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes.

Suggested Seasonings:

1/3 cup olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat a grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Alternately thread pineapple chunks, zucchini slices, yellow squash slices, mushrooms, onion chunks, tomatoes, and bell pepper chunks onto skewers.

2. Whisk olive oil, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; brush some of the mixture over vegetables.

3. Cook skewers on the preheated grill until vegetables are tender, turning and basting vegetables with remaining olive oil mixture occasionally, preferably every 10 to 15 minutes.

Loose Meat Sandwiches

In a hurry and short on time? This comes together rather quickly. It is nice to come home and have the main part of the meal already taken care of. I don’t cook this dish all day as the recipe suggests, rather three or four hours. It turns out fine this way as well.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1/3 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon mustard

1 small onion, chopped

2 cans chicken gumbo soup

Instructions

Mix together; place in a crock pot. Cook slowly all day so the flavor is better.

Frozen Fruit Cups

A cool and refreshing recipe such as this will definitely be a hit to help cool a person down during the hot summer days.

Ingredients

2 (10-ounce) packages frozen strawberries (thawed, but not drained)

1 (16-ounce) can crushed pineapple

1 (16-ounce) can peaches or apricots

4 or 5 bananas

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

Instructions

Mix sugar and water. Bring to a boil and let it cool. Mix all ingredients together with sugar syrup. Do not drain any of the juices. Spoon into small paper cups. Freeze.