bbq's Archives - a Happy Healthy Home

Fresh + Easy 30 Minute Summer Meal

Tiara — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 17:00:00 +0000

Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Marinated Fresh Pork. The opinions and text are all mine.

Oh, summertime let me count the ways I love you. Aside from longer days there’s nothing better than fresh fruits + veggies and grilling out. However, sometimes it’s hard to grill mid-week when you’re playing with your kids, working out, mowing the lawn or a number of other things that fill your time in the evening.

With that said, I focus on quick, easy, fresh and better for you meals during the week. Think real flavor, real fast in 30 minutes or less. Yes, you read that correctly – 30 minutes or less! Wednesday was one of those nights. I opened the fridge and thought, what can I whip up tonight?

Luckily during my last trip to Safeway I grabbed a Smithfield Applewood Bacon Pork Loin Filet and a ton of fresh veggies. Since the grill master was busy mowing the lawn I popped the pork loin into the oven and got busy chopping veggies and boiling water for sweet corn!

Let’s talk veggies — I made a simple salad using cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber. During the summer this is a staple. It’s simple and classic. Sometimes I mix it up and add feta, olives, avocado or even bacon!

Summer Cucumber Salad

serves 4-6

Ingredients

½ – 1 lb cherry tomatoes

1 medium cucumber

1/2 medium red onion, sliced

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sea salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

Directions

Place tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into a large salad bowl. Top with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.

Friends this salad is so yummy even my toddler eats it — red onions and all! #momwin Not only did she enjoy the salad, she also loved Smithfield Applewood Bacon Pork Loin Filet. Oh, since it was topped with bacon, cooking it in the oven was a good call. You don’t want to lose any of the bacon I love how juicy the pork loin is, it’s truly is real flavor, real fast.

Smithfield is also challenging you to see what you can do with Marinated Fresh Pork to get a flavorful meal ready in about 30 minutes with their “What Can You Do With 30?” meal and tip contest. For more 30-minute meal preparation ideas, and to submit your original recipe for a chance to win great prizes, head to www.SmithfieldRealFlavorRealFast.com.

The next time you’re at Safeway check out the Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork options in the fresh meat section.

Just remember when you’re shopping Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork = Real Flavor Real Fast.

What’s your favorite meal to whip up in 30 minutes or less?

The post Fresh + Easy 30 Minute Summer Meal appeared first on a Happy Healthy Home.

Fresh Watermelon Salad with Feta & Mint

Tiara — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:10:00 +0000

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SweeterTogether #CollectiveBias

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

It’s only natural I talk about ice cream every now and then, right? Don’t worry I’ll get to the tasty salad in a minute. Yes, it’s true this fit mom actually eats ice cream. gasp. Did the world just stop? HA. To say I love ice cream would be an understatement. I can’t keep it in the house because it’s gone within days of buying it. In fact, half of the DREYER’S SLOW CHURNED® Caramel Delight Light Ice Cream I bought Thursday is half gone. Time to hit the gym

Let’s chat about BBQs for a hot minute. The fact is you can’t have a BBQ without a sweet treat. But let’s face it you don’t need a fancy tart or cake. A homemade brownie topped with a scoop of DREYER’S SLOW CHURNED® Vanilla Light Ice Cream will do the trick. BTW – homemade brownies are the only way to go.

While potluck BBQs are typically easier you can’t guarantee everything will blend well together. Planning a BBQ menu is easier if you tell guests to bring their favorite beverage or dessert to share. This way you can insure the BBQ spread is cohesive.

HOW TO CREATE A YUMMY BBQ MENU

Appetizers
Chips, salsa and guacamole are always fan favorites, but try something a little different. Maybe a cheese and meat platter, baked spinach and artichoke dip or an array of hummus and veggies. I suggest having at least 2-3 different types of appetizers. Variety is the spice of life.

Meat
Ribs and BBQ Chicken are summer staples. Well, at least in our house during summer months.

Sides
Honestly sides can make or break a BBQ. I suggest making 3-4 side dishes. My favorite BBQ sides include corn on the cob, potato salad, garden salad and watermelon salad with feta and mint! This is probably one of the easiest sides to make. Toss 1 handful chopped mint, 4 cups watermelon and 1 cup feta. Top with a balsamic reduction is desired. Enjoy! it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Dessert
My favorite part of a BBQ! While I’ve never met a dessert I haven’t liked my go-to is homemade brownies topped with a scoop of ice cream. Right now I’m in love with DREYER’S SLOW CHURNED® Caramel Delight Light Ice Cream. Why, because it’s made with real, simple ingredients — fresh milk & cream, no rBST, artificial colors or flavors and No GMO Ingredients!

Beverages
As a hostess I love making a signature drink along with serving water infused with cucumber or other summer fruits. But don’t forget to have beer on hand. You can’t have a BBQ without beer.

The next time you’re at Walmart shopping for a BBQ or treat don’t forget to pick up a few cartons of DREYER’S SLOW CHURNED® Caramel Delight Light Ice Cream or DREYER’S SLOW CHURNED® Vanilla Light Ice Cream. Oh, and don’t miss out on in-store demos. Check this LIST for locations and dates.

What’s your favorite BBQ dish?

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San Diego in a Nutshell

Tiara — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:07:00 +0000

After returning from Central American I spent almost a month in San Diego. While I was home I surfed, went to tons of BBQ’s, celebrated the 4th of July, played beach volleyball and saw tons of old friends and made some new ones too. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

4th of July

Jesse and I on 4th of July.

BBQing on 4th of July

Sunday Funday

Home

Bonfire in the backyard

me and my little bro

Emily and I at Fiesta Del Sol – Day 1

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