Do you ever get to the end of summer and regret all the things you didn’t eat? Meghan Splawn is planning ahead to make the most of the season. Simply Recipes / Lori Rice Summer break is quickly approaching for my elementary aged kids. Simply Recipes / Lori Rice Here are five ways Im celebrating food on our familys summer bucket list this year. We usually meet friends early in the day to pick berries and havestrawberry ice creamat the farm for lunch....

Its a total game changer. So when I discoveredpre-cut parchment sheetsat the Dollar Tree, I knew Id found a gem. However, it becomes an outstanding deal when I factor in the waste and daily frustration. Simply Recipes / Getty Images It prevents sticking when I bake our favoritecookies,bars, andcinnamon rolls. Perhaps most importantly, it generally makes life easier! They also take on other important roles in my kitchen. Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images...

All you need is a blender and five minutes of prep time. Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder My family is bananas for bananas. This aggressive approach keeps the banana fiends satisfied but also results in the regular appearance ofoverripe bananas. Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder I find myself making banana bread nearly every week. Dont over-blend or the loaf can become gummy. Allow to cool completely before removing from the loaf pan and serving....

The whole family loves it. Simply Recipes / Molly Adams My oldest son loves broccoli, and I meanlovesit. More often than not I find myself choking down this sad broccoli. Simply Recipes / Molly Adams My kids prefer things a little more crunchy and cheesy, so I adjusted the proportions to their taste. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place the broccoli florets in a pan fit with a steamer basket....

Its warm and comforting. Simply Recipes / Molly Allen Pear harvest begins in mid-August in the Pacific Northwest. I often end up riding behind a truck hauling bins full of beautiful fruit to a nearby packing house. Simply Recipes / Molly Allen One of my favorite ways to enjoy them? A quick and easy pear crisp that requires just five ingredients. Its warm, comforting, and absolutely ideal for a chilly day....

Its great for making ahead, too. Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a staple on our weeknight family dinner menu. Theyre quick to prepare (just 20 minutes in a hot oven) and reliably tender and flavorful. Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer Plus, they are affordable and pretty difficult to overcook. Whats more, theyre alsogreat for leftovers. My sheet pan chicken with sweet potatoes recipe is incredibly simple and endlessly adaptable....

Its a quick and comforting meal. This potato and spinach curry is a reflection of that blend of nostalgia and practicality. Potatoes make it comforting (and simple!) Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer and bring to mind something my mother always said: If you have potatoes, you have a meal. Choosing the Potatoes for This Curry For this curry, I prefer using baby potatoes. Their small size absorbs the currys rich flavors, and their smooth texture keeps them tender without falling apart....

This easy recipe is a fun spin on the party food classic. Magic, thats what happens. And magic has never tasted so good. Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster Just think, youre only 20 minutes away from total bliss. Use pepper Jack cheese if you want a kick! Also, feel free to serve this withblue cheese dressingon the side....

Its luxurious but so, so easy to make. It was so special that hes insisted upon it every year since. Especially for a special occasion like the new year! Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond Normally, I crack and pick the crab meat myself from cooked crabs I get at the grocery store. Just dont overcook it (some brands take as little as 2 minutes). It also melts into a smooth, rich sauce that wont curdle like sour cream tends to....

This hearty soup costs less than $4 per serving. Ive started making my own shortcut dinners using a handful of TJs ingredients. They feel fresher and more special than a frozen meal, but theyre just as easy and cost-effective. Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph One dinner I keep coming back to isMeatball and Tortellini Pesto Soup. It combines a few ready-made ingredients with fresh veg for a one-dish meal that couldnt be easier....

This egg salad recipe proves that simple is often best. Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn Wow! This isactuallyreally good egg salad, my husband exclaimed before going back to his sandwich for another bite. Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn Heres how you, too, can make egg salad fit for royalty. At this point, you might season to taste with salt and pepper. After my husbands proclamation, I finally dug in for my own first bite of this royal egg salad....

Theyre quick to make and easy to customize. They take about an hour to firm up in the fridge. These energy bites last about 2 weeks in the fridge (if they don’t get eaten up first! Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn Theyre filling enough for that weird mealtime between school pick-up and soccer practice. I make a batch almost every week, riffing on the ingredients and flavors to keep things interesting....

You just need one bowl and a few minutes of prep to make it. Once you bite in, that rich, chewy butteriness will make your tastebuds sing. Then, get creative by adding flavors to this base to make it your own! Simply Recipes / Photo by Nico Schinco / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne A 1-pound box ofKoda Farms Mochiko Sweet Rice Flourworks well here. In a large bowl, combine the coconut milk, milk, sugar, eggs, and melted butter....