A sizzlin' summer meal
by Sam Vangsness
Summer is here and in full swing! From getting together with family and friends to enjoying late-night sunsets, I am spending as much time outside as I can. And this includes making dinner. Summer is short here, and that means the project list keeps growing, but so do the hours we are able to soak up the sun.
I enjoy cooking dinner and like to try some different things, which usually include beef. But, when it is warm outside, the last place I want to be is inside, especially heating up the house and cooking dinner. I have tried a new recipe out on the smoker (a grill can be used too!) and it is now part of our weekly dinner rotation. This “Hobo Meal” recipe is easy, customizable and takes a few minutes of prep work before it is ready to throw onto the smoker. This would also be fun to make around the campfire, too!
My husband ate “Hobo Meals” growing up, and once he explained them to me, I quickly got on board. What starts with ground beef and some seasonings can easily be customized to what you have on hand or what your family enjoys. We enjoy a classic spin that usually involves ground beef, corn, onions, yellow potatoes, sweet potatoes, salt, pepper and some cheese. Spray some tin foil with oil and place one serving of the ingredients, starting with the potatoes, then raw ground beef, before you add the rest of your favorites in, and wrap it up. Repeat one for every person. These are individually wrapped, which makes customizing them even easier. Once they are done, they can be opened and topped with your favorite sauce, such as ketchup, mustard, aioli, or BBQ. These can be cooked on the smoker at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender and beef is cooked through.
“Hobo Meals” are easy to put together and you can make them even easier if you grab a few pounds of beef out of the freezer at the beginning of the week. Another helpful tip is to wash and prepare your vegetables at the beginning of the week so they are ready to throw into your meals, whether you're making “Hobo Meals” or not.
Pictured above is a Hobo Meal with greens and kraut
If you want a salad to pair with your “Hobo Meal,” here is a quick no-cook salad that is filled with fresh produce and a light dressing. If you want, you can boil some noodles to make it into a pasta salad, but then it wouldn’t be “no-cook.” Adjust it to how you like it!
No-cook summer salad
Ingredients
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup diced cherry tomatoes
1 cup diced sweet peppers
Handful diced olives (black or green)
¼ package diced pepperonis
½ package of mozzarella pearls or shredded parmesan
(add whatever other veggies you like or have on hand)
Dressing
½ cup oil (I use avocado but any neutral oil works)
¼ cup water
2 tbsp vinegar (I like to use balsamic or apple cider but use what you like)
1 tbsp balsamic glaze (or you could sub for honey or maple syrup)
1 tsp dijon mustard
½ tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust the dressing according to your taste.
Instructions
Mix dressing in a jar. Add all ingredients into a bowl. Pour dressing and toss well.
I hope you try these meals and put your own spin on them! Have a good summer!
Sam lives in rural Morton County with her husband. She enjoys being outside working alongside her husband, but equally enjoys being in the kitchen cooking nutritious, delicious, simple meals, and sharing tips, tricks, and recipes along the way.
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