Families tend to have a lot of ground to cover when it comes to dinner. Fitting in a good meal for all the family members can be a difficult task at times. In this article, we will take a look at some of the ways you can make dinner easier and more successful in coming together as a family. These 5 great menus will help you out this summer!
What Are The 5 Best Menus For Summer Family Dinners?
Looking for a fun and easy menu for your summer family dinners? Here are five of our favorite menus!
Bbq Chicken And Veggie Skewers
This handheld dish is perfect for summertime gatherings as it’s easy to make, fast to cook, and can be served with a variety of toppings.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
These cheesy sandwiches are the perfect way to cool off on a hot day. They’re simple to make and can be topped with anything your heart desires – from BBQ sauce to fresh fruit.
Picnic Salad
This dish is full of flavor and perfect for summer picnics. It’s easy to put together and can be filled with a variety of different meats or vegetables.
Pasta Salad
This classic salad is perfect for any time of year, but especially in the summer when tomatoes are in season. It’s easy to make and can be topped with all sorts of different ingredients.
Fish Tacos
This dish is one that can easily be modified depending on what type of fish you have on hand. If you have pollock or cod available, those would be great options for your tacos.
What Makes A Healthy Family Dinner Menu?
A family dinner menu is a great way to get everyone in the kitchen and cooking together. Here are a few ideas to help make your meal planning easier:
- Start with an easy dish, like roasted vegetables or grilled chicken.
- Try preparing one main dish and pairing it with several side dishes. This way, you can customize each meal to fit everyone’s taste.
- If you’re hosting a crowd, consider serving lots of salads and sides for people to choose from. This way, they can build their own plate without feeling limited by what’s on the table.
- If you’ve got time, make a full dessert buffet! This allows guests to choose whichever dish they want instead of having just one option available.
How To Make The Family Dinner Extra Special
1. Get The Kids Involved In Meal Prep
One way to make family dinners extra special is to get the kids involved in meal prep. This can be as simple as having them help set the table or more involved tasks like helping to cook the meal. Not only will this create lasting memories, but it will also teach them valuable life skills. Plus, it’s a great way to bond as a family.
2. Add A Seasonal Touch To The Table
Using seasonal decor, like a vase of fresh flowers in spring or autumn leaves in fall, can help to set the mood. Candles are also a great way to add some ambiance, and using scented candles can be especially nice. Playing festive music in the background can also help to create a celebratory atmosphere. To add an extra touch of elegance, consider placing elegant dinner napkins on the dinner table that match the season’s color palette.
3. Serve Up A Special Family-Favorite Dish
Of course, the food itself can also be a key part of making a family dinner extra special. Preparing favorite dishes or trying new recipes can be a fun way to add some excitement to the meal. Whatever the occasion, taking some extra time to make the dinner table special can be a great way to show your loved ones how much you care. You could also come up with some interesting twists to your recipes and sauces, which could be a party for their taste buds. While grilled meats and fish could be staples for cookouts with the family, sauces could be the real game-changer. Simple, yet robust sauces such as the boom boom sauce, Hoisin BBQ sauce, Guava BBQ sauce, or even a home-made hot sauce could make your family-favorite dish extra special.
4. Make It A Conversation-Starter
By keeping the conversation light and interesting, you can make the family dinner extra special. Try to ask open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no. You can also use conversation starters to get to know your family members better. For example, you can ask them about their day, their hobbies, or anything else that you’re curious about. By making the family dinner a conversation starter, you can make it extra special.
5. End On A Sweet Note
This can be done by making a special dessert or by giving each person a small treat. This will make the meal more memorable and will give everyone something to look forward to at the end of the meal.
The summer months are a great time to get everyone together for some good old-fashioned family dinner fun. Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or eating out, these menus will have something for everyone on your list. Be sure to plan ahead and make reservations so that everything goes smoothly!
