Five Inexpensive Foods That Mean Summer

Just as eggnog and fruitcake have become almost synonymous with the Christmas season, some foods seem to go hand in hand with summer. As you plan your summer gatherings and outings, make sure you include these traditional summer foods in your spread.

Potato Salad – Who can imagine a picnic or family gathering without potato salad? Since the main ingredient in this picnic staple is potatoes, you know that it will be inexpensive to make. There are tons of recipes available for different potato salads, including mayonnaise-based recipes or mustard-based recipes, so experiment until you find one that your family really loves.

Hot Dogs – Hot dogs are perfect for eating at backyard cookouts. They’re easy to make and can be really cheap, if you shop your local grocery’s store sales. If cooking on a grill isn’t your thing, you can simply boil the hot dogs. You can choose to offer a wide selection of toppings for your hot dogs or stick to the basics, mustard, ketchup, and relish. Either way, your guests and family will be happy.

Lemonade – Providing soda for everyone at a family cookout can get pretty expensive. Why go to all that extra expense when lemonade is such a popular and convenient alternative? Lemonade mixes make it easy to make several pitchers of this tasty refreshment, enough for everyone.

Corn on the Cob – This quintessential classic is easy to prepare and inexpensive, too. Late in the summer ears of corn are very plentiful; you may even be able to buy them at roadside stands. Simply remove the husks and boil. Your family and guests can add butter and salt to taste before eating.

Jell-o – For the perfect hot weather dessert, be sure to add Jell-o to your cookout plans. Best prepared the day before you plan to eat it, Jell-o comes in many different flavors. Your more finicky eaters will enjoy classic flavors like cherry and orange. More adventurous families can try out one of the less traditional flavors like lime. For something really special, you can prepare your Jell-o in layers to create a striped effect. Health-conscious folks can even choose to make sugar-free Jell-o.

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