How to Take an Ordinary Meal and Make it an Extraordinary Summer Treat

My family likes many of the same ingredients in our food. So, I choose to keep these items on hand. The dilema comes into play when we become tired of the meals we have on hand. Here are some great ways to spice up old treats.

1) Fried Potatos. My husband has been raving about his mom's fried potatos. When I heard about how she made them (slices of potatos with a little grease in a frying pan), I pictured the taste like potato chips or au gratin potatos. I was unimpressed. My husband casually asked his mom to make fried potatos during our next visit. I was shocked and amazed when I discovered how wonderful they taste. This is a great side dish for guests, it is delicious and inexpensive! The first thing to do to make fried potatoes is to slice the potatos. Then put a little oil in a pan and fry them. Fry the potatos until they are orange and crispy. Fresh potatoes will take about 20-30 minutes. It tastes best to make fried potatos with fresh potatos, but you can also use cooked potatos. Cooked potatos won't taste as good, but they are quicker to fry up than if you make the fried potatos with fresh.

2) Buy Kraft Four Cheese (Pizza flavor). Sprinkle this great combination of cheeses on top of your chili. It is delicious.

3) Use McCormick's steak seasoning next time you make hamburgers. This is a delicious combination.

4) Place garlic powder, salt, pepper, Emeril's original essence and olive oil in the water when you make ramen noodles. The spice will give this common meal a special taste! This is my brother's special recipe that he created himself!

5) Use a pizza crust mix to create a thin crust. Add fruit, frosting and bake. This makes a delicious dessert and there are all kinds of delightful combinations you can use to make this wonderful dessert.

6) Pour fruit juice into ice cube trays (kool-aid and dark colored drinks work great). Then place into glasses for a refreshing glass of juice with beautifully colored ice and an extra zing! You can also put fruit and fruit juice into ice cube trays for a fantastic way to make a refreshing summertime beverage.

7) Add olive oil and parmesian cheese to spagetti noodles. This is a unique meal that is light and delicious.

8) Add fruit to jello. This is a fun summer treat and you can create many creative combinations.

9) Add garlic, salt and pepper to Lipton Creamy Chicken Rice. The combination will make your mouth water!

10) Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Then cut it up into different pieces and shapes. Now you have a peanut butter & jelly sandwich puzzle that will be fun for the kids to put together and eat. You can make the puzzle hard or easy depending on the age and ability of each child.

11) Add ice to a combination of tea, milk and Chai spices together. Now you have a delicious chai drink.

12) Add fruit to a bowl of cereal or yogurt for a refreshing, delicious and nutritious dessert.

13) Put fruit, cool whip and chocolate syrup together for a dessert that will make your mouth water.

14) Add gravy, spices and meat to a batch of noodles. You will now have your own recipe for a delicious meal. You can add the meat, spices and gravy that your family likes and prefers.

These ideas will help create nutritious, light and inexpensive meals for your family this summer. Enjoy this summer with your kids!