10 Summer Weeknight Dinners And Easy Meal Ideas
I am an Aussie and I love summer. So you can trust me when I say that Aussies know what’s good for dinner on a hot summers night. These nights are the best as well. Because the sun doesn’t go down until 9 o’clock. This gives us a relaxing illusion. And you know what’s not relaxing? Being bent over the stove or with your head in the oven. So, whether you’re chilling at home, spending a night with the family or entertaining with friends, here are 10 easy, simple and delicious weeknight dinners and easy meal ideas for summer!
1. BBQ
As a dedicated (and slightly stereotypical) I shall start with barbecue. The barbecue is your new best friend in summer. Possibilities are endless. If you’re trying to avoid a hot and stuffy kitchen, you can whack anything on the bbq. It’ll even give you a bonus bbq flavour. You can cook anything; meat, vegetables, potatoes, eggs, get creative!
2. Fruit
Add fruit to anything. Fruit instantly sweetens and aethetically brightens your dish. A mango salad for instance. Start with a leafy green salad, then toss in some avocado, lemon juice, some barbecue grilled chicken and top it off with your mango! It’s healthy juicy and fresh!
3. Quinoa
Quinoa is your next best friend. But don’t roll your eyes and complain about how time-consuming quinoa is to cook. Supermarkets stock some fantastic pre-cooked quinoa that only requires 90 seconds in the microwave. So a warm or cold quinoa salad is on the mango. This can go with a yogurt dressing, pomegranate and smokey lamb off the barbecue!
4. Crunch
The summer heat doe not excuse you from mediocre, tasteless dinners. But if you’re feeling uninspired, here’s an idea you can add to your meal. Crispy noodles. They go very well with soy, oyster, fish or sesame sauce. Add these to a pre-mixed salad or slaw, and you can eat this delicious oriental-inspired dinner every nigh of the week!
5. Avo Avo Avo
Avocado needs its own mention. Sometimes guacamole and a bowl of corn chips is a perfect, light dinner if you don’t feel like cooking. In the middle of summer, smashing a couple of avocados, throwing in some lemon juice, maybe some tomato and onion and ripping a bag of corn chips open is the perfect solution for a weeknight dinner. For a few extra veggies, carrot and celery sticks are a simple addition as well.
6. Rice paper rolls
These bad boys are so modish that you can eat about twenty without realise. Okay, that’s a bit a stretch. But all it takes are the few ingredients and absolutely anybody is capable of making these for dinner! You can add anything you want. They are perfect for anyone, meat eaters, vegans or vegetarians. They’re cold, fresh and delicious. One of the most perfect weeknight dinners.
7. Prawns
Or should I say, shrimp on the bbq? No, I shouldn’t. I’m a self-respecting Aussie. But prawns, or any seafood for the matter, go so perfect with summer evenings. Nobody can say no a plate of prawns being passed around at a party. If you’re entertaining on a weeknight this weak, prawns are a great dinner idea.
8. A cheese board
Cheese boards are one of the latest and greatest food trends. There’s quite an art to making a decent cheese board. Whether there’s an occasion or not, cheese boards are a great summer weeknight dinner idea because you can put absolutely whatever you want on a board and voila. Dinner is served.
9. Tacos
You can’t go wrong with Mexican. Again, it’s completely up to you how you like your tacos. So make yourself a little taco station and enjoy!
10. Mmm Burgers
Similarly, a burger station is just as easy, especially if you have a lot of hungry mouths to feed. If some friends are coming over, chuck some patties on the bbq with some burger buns and toppings ready to go. Nobody will be disappointed.
