Beat the Heat {3 Easy Warm Weather Recipes in 3 Steps or Less}

I love warm weather. I also love cooking. But those two don’t go hand in hand. Whether it’s been a long day at work, ballgames in the heat or you’re simply heading to an outdoor party, check out 3 of my favorite (and ridiculously easy!) recipes to whip up as the dog days of summer quickly sneak up here in Oklahoma!

Disclaimer: the nutrition facts on following recipe cards may or may not be accurate, and were not hand calculated by a dietary professional. They were computer generated with entered ingredients.

1. Fruit Skewers — Who doesn’t love some of the season’s freshest produce?? I generally snag mine at Crest, but have heard great things about Aldi’s deals and delectable finds. For the warmer months, 10 points to Gryffendor if you can find ALL of your faves at your local Farmer’s Market! Whatever your family loves to eat, this might be the easiest snack or side dish you’ve ever “made”:) Get the kiddos involved after the cutting is done–fair warning, some fruit might not make it to the skewer!

Fresh Fruit Skewers
Grab your family's favorite fresh fruits and throw these together for a quick and healthy snack or side dish on a warm Oklahoma evening!
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Prep Time
20 min
Total Time
20 min
Prep Time
20 min
Total Time
20 min
654 calories
169 g
0 g
2 g
9 g
0 g
1477 g
41 g
129 g
0 g
1 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1477g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 654
Calories from Fat 19
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2g
3%
Saturated Fat 0g
1%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 41mg
2%
Total Carbohydrates 169g
56%
Dietary Fiber 18g
72%
Sugars 129g
Protein 9g
Vitamin A
133%
Vitamin C
985%
Calcium
17%
Iron
23%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. You can be the master of your own skewers, but for this particular day I chose--
  2. Pineapple
  3. Cantaloupe
  4. Blueberries
  5. Strawberries
  6. Watermelon
  7. Grapes
  8. Marshmallows
  9. Wooden or Metal kabob skewers
Instructions
  1. Cut fruit to your preferred size
  2. Load on to skewer in any order that pleases you
  3. Refrigerate until ready to serve
  4. Enjoy!
Notes
  1. Add a little more "dessert" quality to this dish by drizzling with chocolate...everything is fancy with a bit of Hershey's, right??
beta
calories
654
fat
2g
protein
9g
carbs
169g
more
Oklahoma City Mom https://okcmom.com/
2. T.C.R.Y.W.F.E — This easy, “no mess” crock pot recipe is a crowd pleaser in my family–especially when we tire of grilled chicken in the warmer months. Great for any time of the year, and can be used in SO many ways!

The Chicken Recipe You'll Want For Everything
This melt in your mouth chicken is the easiest, creamiest, yummiest goodness you'll ever need in your life. It can be used to make nachos, eaten on a jalapeno cheddar bun or straight from the bowl with a fork!
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
7 hr
Total Time
7 hr 5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
7 hr
Total Time
7 hr 5 min
3858 calories
24 g
1493 g
242 g
380 g
106 g
1678 g
3280 g
17 g
0 g
104 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1678g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 3858
Calories from Fat 2139
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 242g
372%
Saturated Fat 106g
531%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 41g
Monounsaturated Fat 63g
Cholesterol 1493mg
498%
Sodium 3280mg
137%
Total Carbohydrates 24g
8%
Dietary Fiber 1g
3%
Sugars 17g
Protein 380g
Vitamin A
127%
Vitamin C
5%
Calcium
64%
Iron
78%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 2.5 lbs frozen, boneless/skinless chicken breast
  2. 2 8oz packages of cream cheese
  3. 2 Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packets
  4. (Substitute fun: use 1 pkg ranch seasoning and 1 pkg of your favorite taco seasoning to make this a great dish for enchiladas or quesadillas!)
Instructions
  1. Place chicken at bottom of crock pot; Throw cream cheese and seasoning packets on top; cover and cook on low for 6 hours
  2. Shred chicken, stir well, re-cover, continue cooking for 1 additional hour
  3. Serve on buns, tortillas, chips, crackers or straight from the bowl
Notes
  1. This dish is so easy, and fun to dress up any way you like! Add taco seasoning for enchilada stuffing or crumbled bacon for a delicious, filling dip with Pretzel Thins or Bagel Chips. I personally love topping a baked potato from the grill with it!
  2. Make clean up a breeze: don't forget your Reynolds plastic crock pot liner--after you've scraped the pot clean of chicken, just toss the liner and move on with your life:)
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calories
3858
fat
242g
protein
380g
carbs
24g
more
Oklahoma City Mom https://okcmom.com/
 3. Dill Pickle Dip — CAUTION: this is the best dip you’ll ever put in your mouth…if you like love PICKLES!!

Delicious Dill Pickle Dip
This dip isn't quite as overpowering as you would think--but it does gain more delicious pickle taste as it sits!
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Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
3 hr 15 min
Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
3 hr 15 min
928 calories
27 g
290 g
80 g
31 g
44 g
667 g
3756 g
15 g
0 g
24 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
667g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 928
Calories from Fat 703
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 80g
123%
Saturated Fat 44g
222%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 20g
Cholesterol 290mg
97%
Sodium 3756mg
156%
Total Carbohydrates 27g
9%
Dietary Fiber 5g
21%
Sugars 15g
Protein 31g
Vitamin A
74%
Vitamin C
15%
Calcium
38%
Iron
19%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 2 cups diced dill pickles (I use 5 of the Best Maid pickles--perfect size!)
  2. 1 8oz package softened cream cheese (I use the Greek substitute)
  3. 1/3 cup diced red onion
  4. 1/4 cup pickle juice
  5. 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (plus an extra sprinkle for the top garnishment if you feel so inclined)
  6. 1 2oz pkg Buddig Ham
  7. 1 tsp coarse ground pepper (garnishment on top)
  8. 2 tsp finely chopped garlic (optional)
Instructions
  1. Chop ham and onion; dice pickles and place in their own bowl
  2. Combine all ingredients (except diced pickles) in large bowl; smooth with mixer.
  3. Add pickles and stir in with spatula or large spoon; refrigerate for 3 hours before serving
  4. STUFF YOUR FACE
Notes
  1. We convinced my mom to make this at Christmas, and even the most resistant guests loved it! Best with Pretzel Thins, Wheat Thins or whole wheat crackers!
beta
calories
928
fat
80g
protein
31g
carbs
27g
more
Oklahoma City Mom https://okcmom.com/
There you go mamas, 3 of the easiest and coolest recipes I could think of that my family actually loves to eat! What are your favorite recipes for the upcoming warmer months? Share your favorites in the comments below. Bonus if they’re kid friendly as well!

 

         

 

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Loralei Gann
Loralei is a busy boy mom to Everett and Roman, and fabulous wife to Justin. Raised in Edmond, she became a Norman transplant after marriage and hasn't found many differences...other than the craziness that is an OU game day. A high school English teacher by day, she enjoys spending time with both sides of her hilarious (and extremely loud) family, reading, writing, cooking and shopping for down time. She thinks that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel SOMEDAY with diapers and bottles, but until then, she tries to soak up every sweet, snuggly, fit throwing, negotiating-with-a-toddler moment...and thoroughly enjoys every second of it.

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