Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a grill or crockpot? That helps. Even getting like an electric grill pan would help as they could do chicken breasts, burgers or fish without heating up the whole kitchen.

Pasta salad and potato salad were made for this hot weather. My kids also eat a lot of frozen burritos from the microwave. We also do a lot of things in the summer like sandwiches with fresh tomatos and mozarella from the farmer market with a side of carrot sticks.

Why do people always have to say this? Who cares if you buy your tomatoes from a farmer's market, Giant, or grow it yourself? It sounds so freakin' pretentious.

Why would you ever buy tomatoes from the supermarket?

One of my teens cooks a lot of eggs- omelettes, fried, scrambled. They need to learn to use the gas stove. They also grill burgers (beef, chicken, fish), make quesadillas and pulled meat sandwiches (I make extra meet in the crock pot and all they need to do in reheat). Also various prepared foods from Costco that they can make in the toaster oven or microwave. Lots of smoothies (yogurt, fruit, nut butter).

Seriously? Any dinner, served in the summer, is appropriate. How silly!

Take your kids grocery shopping and see what they want:

It’s summer, so they might enjoy cold sandwiches and salads (wraps, pitas, etc).

You can get prepared foods at the deli (rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, sides, etc.).

There are all sorts of frozen options that are pre-cooked that they just need to warm up - from full dinners to pizza, chinese dumplings, hot pockets, breakfast sandwiches, grilled chicken strips, veggie burgers, etc. Trader Joe’s has some great Indian dinners and other interesting options (I like the fried rice). Frozen veggies are super easy to microwave, and don’t require prep. They’ll probably prefer the fresh fruit of summer, but frozen can be really convenient, and you don’t have to worry about it spoiling.

Canned soups, chillis, meats, etc. are also convenient. They make pouches of Tuna with different flavorings for easy lunches. Canned beans/refried beans, jarred sauces, extras like olives, mushrooms, pickles, etc., can round out the meals.

Even if they don’t want to cook on the stove, many stovetop foods can be cooked in the microwave. Corn on the cob is great microwaved. Potatoes can be “baked” in the microwave. Instant rice is microwaveable. While the quality may not be quite as good, eggs can be scrambled in the microwave, and after you’ve added salsa and cheese, pre-cooked bacon crumbles and cheese, or whatever toppings you prefer - they’re fine. With a little practice, I’ve even cooked foods like Ramen and Kraft Mac and Cheese in the microwave - you just have to limit the water so that it all gets absorbed and doesn’t have to be drained.

Basically, even without using the stove, there are still an abundance of options. Just let them browse for themselves and determine what they want to eat, how much they want to work, and how they’re going to balance the two factors.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a grill or crockpot? That helps. Even getting like an electric grill pan would help as they could do chicken breasts, burgers or fish without heating up the whole kitchen.

Pasta salad and potato salad were made for this hot weather. My kids also eat a lot of frozen burritos from the microwave. We also do a lot of things in the summer like sandwiches with fresh tomatos and mozarella from the farmer market with a side of carrot sticks.

Why do people always have to say this? Who cares if you buy your tomatoes from a farmer's market, Giant, or grow it yourself? It sounds so freakin' pretentious.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a grill or crockpot? That helps. Even getting like an electric grill pan would help as they could do chicken breasts, burgers or fish without heating up the whole kitchen.

Pasta salad and potato salad were made for this hot weather. My kids also eat a lot of frozen burritos from the microwave. We also do a lot of things in the summer like sandwiches with fresh tomatos and mozarella from the farmer market with a side of carrot sticks.

My kids would be hungry 45 seconds after eating 6 of those.

How old are your teens that they won't use a cooktop? Yes, gas burns hot and fast--turn the flame down. ?

Do you have a grill or crockpot? That helps. Even getting like an electric grill pan would help as they could do chicken breasts, burgers or fish without heating up the whole kitchen.

Pasta salad and potato salad were made for this hot weather. My kids also eat a lot of frozen burritos from the microwave. We also do a lot of things in the summer like sandwiches with fresh tomatos and mozarella from the farmer market with a side of carrot sticks.

Your kids are more than old enough to cook for themselves. If they don’t want to use a burner they can cook it in the oven.

Are you asking for things that can be made from scratch, or asking about things that can be made for them in advance and they can just heat up? If it’s the latter, chili is an option. Baked macaroni and cheese. Fixings for tacos that the kids assemble. Asian noodle dishes like lo mein that can be reheated. Frozen dumplings. Cold salmon is nice in summer, accompanying a pasta salad.

A toaster oven might be more comfortable for you kids to use, and bonus is that it will always shut itself off.

My kids are old enough to self serve but we have a gas stove that none of the three of them like to use. Cooks hot and fast.

I found a lady doing budget friendly meal planning for the Summer for her kids since they will be eating more from just being in and around the house and need some additional ideas.

She picked things like wraps, turkey and cheese Sandwiches, Chicken/Tuna salad for lunches

Spaghetti and bean burrito dinners which she makes but they can reheat easily

Microwave oatmeal with fruit or sausage patties, waffles in the air fryer type breakfasts

What else can be made easily during the day?