The long weekend coming up, Labor Day weekend, is traditionally the last weekend of summer and is celebrated with cookouts, last trips to the beach or lake, and getting ready for school. I don't think anyone will ever feel the same about this weekend again after the disaster that has struck the United States. Please think about helping any way you can. And keep the survivors and victims of the storm in mind.
I'd also recommend that you take some time this weekend to think about your own disaster preparedness and take stock of your Your Emergency Pantry. Organize supplies, make sure canned foods are wholesome and not out of date, and keep lots of water on hand.
These meals are all easy to make and quick too; everyone is so busy getting ready for school and coming home from vacations. I chose lots of five ingredient recipes and those that don't require cooking. So enjoy the weekend, be grateful that you have a roof over your head, water to drink, and food to eat, get ready for school, and cherish time with your family and friends.
Saturday Breakfast
- Southwest Crockpot Breakfast
On your way home from work or school today, pick up the ingredients for this delicious and easy breakfast and let it cook all night. You'll wake up to a wonderful and hearty meal that will get your weekend started right. - orange juice, coffee
- melon wedges
Saturday Lunch
- Tuna Pizza
This is one of the recipes I have selected that you can make in a disaster. It requires no cooking, uses shelf stable ingredients, and still tastes wonderful. - milk and sparkling water
- Apple wedges, baby carrots
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
Make a double batch of these cookies and freeze them to tuck into lunch boxes in the next couple of weeks.
Saturday Dinner
- Italian Turkey Tenderloin
This four ingredient recipe cooked on the grill tastes very complicated and like it took a lot of time. - Nectarine Coleslaw
Peaches have been so wonderful this season; use them to dress up deli coleslaw for a fabulous taste combination. - Grilled Cheese Bread
You can use any cheese you'd like in this easy recipe cooked on the grill. - Grilled Pineapple
This simple recipe is really easy and tastes so delicious. Think about grilling other fruits too - peaches and apples would be very nice.
Sunday Brunch
- Blueberry French Toast Bake
Make this rich and easy baked main dish on Saturday night and just pop it into the oven on Sunday morning. - Apple Glazed Sausage and Canadian Bacon
I love this recipe, that combines the sweetness of apples with the smoky richness of sausage and bacon. Yum. - orange juice, coffee, milk
Sunday Dinner
- Summer Steaks
Use fresh herbs from your garden to accent juicy, thick steaks cooked on the grill. - Grilled Asparagus
Grilling asparagus with extra virgin olive oil gives it the most wonderful taste, the perfect complement to the steaks. - Grilled Herb Breadsticks
Use the same herbs you used for the steak to make these crisp and crunchy little breadsticks on the grill. - Grilled Angel Food with Fruit Salsa
I love this recipe because it's so unusual and because the toasted angel food combined with sweet and juicy fruit is just perfect.
Monday Breakfast
- Banana Bread
Make a double batch of this recipe and keep one loaf sequestered so you can serve it for the first day of school; it gets better as it sits, even though it's perfect just out of the oven. And remember, you can toast it too! - Lemon Almond Bread
Offer a selection of quick breads for breakfast; this one is delicious and easy. - orange juice, milk, coffee
- Bacon Hash Brown Roll-Ups
This is also a great recipe to eat right away and freeze for almost instant breakfasts on busy school day mornings.
Monday Picnic Lunch
- Cracker Bread Roll-Ups
This great recipe can be made with any canned meat - I'd use canned salmon for a rich taste. This is another of the disaster meal recipes that use shelf stable ingredients and no cooking. - potato chips
- soda, juice boxes
- celery sticks, cherry tomatoes
- Applesauce Granola Cookies
These cookies also freeze very well, so put some aside for lunchboxes later in the week.
Monday Dinner
- BBQ Pork Kebabs
Make it a kabob (or kebab) dinner on the grill to make it easy on you! - Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
Use your favorite vegetables and the freshest you can find in this simple side dish recipe that cooks to perfection on the grill. - green salad
- bakery croissants
- No Bake Rocky Road Bars
If you have a grill you can make these bars - use a heavy duty saucepan and the shelf stable ingredients like frosting mixes.
