QUICK & EASY SUMMERTIME MEALS

Jul 17, 2017

This post was sponsored by Heluva Good! Cheese as part of an Influence Central campaign and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. #HeluvaGoodSummer #IC


I don't know about you, but in the Summertime, I want to spend as much time as I can with family and friends enjoying the beautiful weather. This means less time spent in the kitchen and more time outside. Heluva Good!® Block Cheese is perfect for any snack or meal. That's why I'm teaming up with them to bring you some easy and deliciously cheesy Summertime meals--so easy even I can make them!


Cheese Plate with Crackers & Fruit 


I totally have to start with the obvious snack. Who doesn't love cheese and crackers?! There is so much versatility with Heluva Good! cheeses and a cheese plate is always perfect for an everyday snack. In fact, it's one of my daily go-to's! It's such an easy dish with a good source of protein and an excellent source of calcium all thanks to Heluva Good! cheeses.



Ingredients: 

Your Favorite Crackers 
Heluva Good! Colby-Jack
Heluva Good! Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar
Grapes and/or Strawberries

How To Make: 

1. Slice up some Heluva Good! Colby-Jack & Heluva Good! Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar cheeses
2. Wash your choice of fruit 
3. Grab your cutest cheese plate 
4. Place your Heluva Good! Colby-Jack & Heluva Good! Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar slices and fruit on your plate
5. Add some of your favorite crackers to the plate 
6. Enjoy!


Okay, that was way too easy that I felt silly typing out instructions. haha! Now it's time to get a little more creative with our meals!


You already knew that this cheese-eatin' weasel was going to sneak into this post somehow. ;) I can't do anything with cheese without her being right there. Lilly tested. Lilly approved.

Roasted Bell Pepper & Spinach Grilled Cheese Panini


I love a classic grilled cheese sandwich, but then I thought, 'Let's jazz it up a bit' and add some more flavor!


Ingredients: 

1/2 of a Bell Pepper (Green or Orange)
1/2 Cup of Spinach 
1/4 Cup of Sweet Onion
Heluva Good! Jalapeño Jack Cheese 
4 Slices of Sourdough Bread
Olive Oil
Butter

Yield: 2 Paninis


How To Make: 



1. Slice and chop your onion, bell pepper, and spinach


2. Add a splash of olive oil to a small pan and saute your chopped onion, bell pepper, and spinach for 3-5 minutes. 


3. While your veggies are sauteing, slice some Heluva Good! Cheese into super thin slices for easy melting. Check on your veggies, and if they are done, turn off the burner and cover to keep warm.

I am using Heluva Good! Jalapeño Jack cheese for my dish, but you can choose an assortment of flavors including: Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Extra Sharp Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, White Extra Sharp Cheddar, White Sharp Cheddar, White Mild Cheddar, Muenster, Monterey Jack, Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar, Colby, and Mild Cheddar. You can find Heluva Good! cheese in the dairy aisle of your neighborhood supermarkets.


4. Place a grill pan on the stove setting the burner on medium. (I'm using a grill pan to get the same marks that a panini press would give!) Grab a slice of sourdough bread, spread a little butter on one side and place the butter side down onto the pan once it's warm. 


5. Place some of your Heluva Good! sliced cheese on the bread in the pan covering it completely. The Heluva Good! Cheese adds so much flavor--it's simply mouthwatering!


6. Scoop some of your cooked veggies onto the first layer of cheese


7. Top your panini with a few more slices of Heluva Good! Cheese


8. Grab another slice of sourdough bread spreading butter on one side. Then place the slice of bread butter side up onto your masterpiece.



9. Once the cheese starts to melt, carefully flip your panini. Once all of the cheese is melted, warm, and gooey, turn off the the stove and remove from the heat

*Note: I used a burger press we already had to act as a panini press!


10. Plate & Enjoy!

Save and Print for Later!

If you're loving these recipes so far, be sure to claim this offer from Ibotta for $.75 cash back, and then head to your local Walmart to pick up some Heluva Good! Cheeses to create your own awesome recipes! Limited quantities are available for the Ibotta offer, as there is no expiration date for the offer, but once all of the rebates have been claimed, they are gone!


Chips & Queso 

This is the perfect dish if you are hosting a party. It's perfect for entertaining because it's so quick and so delicious. Heluva Good! cheeses are made with real milk, have 0 grams of trans fat per serving, and are gluten free for any of your gluten free friends.


Ingredients 

Tortilla Chips
1 Poblano Pepper
1 Cup Heluva Good! Colby-Jack
1 Cup Heluva Good! Jalapeño Jack
1 Cup of Heavy Cream
2-3 Plum Tomatoes
1 Teaspoon of Minced Garlic


How to Make:

1. Slice each of your Heluva Good! Jalapeño Jack Cheese and Heluva Good! Colby-Jack. Each cheese package is 1 cup.


2. Dice your poblano peppers and plum tomatoes


3. Add your Heluva Good! cheeses, poblano peppers, and plum tomatoes into a crockpot and set it to high



4. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and add in 1 teaspoon of minced garlic

5. Put the lid on the crockpot and let it sit for 1 hour on low

*Note: Stir your queso every 30 minutes to help the cheese melt evenly and for your ingredients to all mesh together.

6. After 2 hours and the cheese is all melted and your queso is nice and hot, scoop a serving into a small bowl


7. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

**For parties, you can leave the crockpot on warm and your guests can serve themselves from the crockpot so it stays nice and warm!

Well, there ya have it--three quick & easy Summertime meals that are so easy that even I could make them!

What are some of your favorite quick & easy Summertime meals?

Stay Classy.
xx, 
Kristen

76 comments

  1. I've never seen this brand of cheese before! I love how many variations of snacks you've made with it, I'll have a look out for it in the store next time. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. It's SO delish! Definitely keep your eye out for them!

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  2. AnonymousJuly 17, 2017

    I LIVE for snacks during the summertime. I'm not a big meal eater to begin with and usually eat much lighter in the summer. These are great ideas!

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    1. Snacks are my fav! Hope you enjoy these snack ideas!

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  3. YUM! I grew up eating Helluva Good french onion dip and chips with my daddy (and I have some in my fridge right now), but I had no idea they made cheese! I may need to check that out!

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    1. YAS! The dip will forever be my fav. It's my Dad's fav, too! Def check out the cheese. SO good!

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  4. Oh my goodness that grilled cheese looks DIVINE! I love summer meals of crackers cheese and fruit/veg too. Who wants to turn on the oven in summer time?

    Xxox
    Laura @ www.cookwineandthinker.com

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  5. Love these ideas! And with a husband who loves cheese, they are perfect!

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    1. Yes! Too perfect--hope y'all enjoy these meal ideas!

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  6. I have never heard of this brand of cheese. All these recipes look delicious! Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Hope you enjoy these meal ideas!! You're gonna love them!

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  7. Welp - this looks delicious! And just in time, since I'm meal planning this morning. I'll definitely give this a go. Thanks!

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  8. That grilled cheese looks so so good!

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    Replies
    1. It's so delish! Def a must have for the Summer.

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  9. These all look so yummy! Definitely going to add them to my recipe binder for Summer!!

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  10. These all look great and fantastic food pics! Living in Arizona we snack and have a lot light stuff in the heat I'll definitely add a few of these!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! Snacks in the heat are always perfect!

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  11. I love the crockpot dip idea. All of it looks yummy. Bookmarking these!

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  12. Oh man, you got me with the cheese. I LOVE cheese! I will definitely try these!

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    Replies
    1. Cheese is SO good. You're gonna love these recipes!

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  13. That grilled cheese looks so good! I'm with you - in the summer the last thing I want to do is cook!

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    Replies
    1. It's delish and so easy to make. I even made it again today!

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  14. AnonymousJuly 17, 2017

    All I do on the weekends is snack. These are great!

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  15. mmm that grilled cheese tho!! I need it!

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  16. I love this cheese and fruit tray and the nacho dip. Such a great idea. My kids are getting so picky this summer, I think it's because it's just too hot for a big meal. These are perfect!

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    1. I'm never in the mood for huge hot meals in the Summertime, but these are perfect! Hope you enjoy them!

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  17. I definitely want to try the panini. Looks fabulous!

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  18. Replies
    1. Thanks girly! They're perfect for the Summertime!

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  19. AnonymousJuly 17, 2017

    These recipes look so fantastic! They are light and easy!

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  20. Great ideas for cheese use! And who doesn't heart a good grilled cheese sandwich!

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  21. Such great ideas for quick meals! With this summer heat, I find myself opting for lighter meals...the strawberries with cheese and crackers are perfect. Chips and queso hit the spot too. Wonderful suggestions!

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    Replies
    1. Yes! Cheese, crackers, and fruit are such an easy Summertime go-to!

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  22. I love crackers and cheese, and that panini looks so good! I'm getting hungry just looking at it!

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    Replies
    1. The panini is SO good. You totally need to try it.

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  23. How yummy! I love the twist on the grilled cheese, I really need to try it out too.

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  24. GAME. CHANGER. These all look so amazing - headed to the store right now!

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    Replies
    1. Hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do!

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  25. My stomach was growling by the time I reached the bottom of the page - and your pics make it look so good!

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    1. Thanks girly! You totally need to try these recipes!

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  26. Omg the grilled cheese looks soooooo good!

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    1. Girl, it's delish! You totally need to try it!

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  27. Oh my gosh these all look so good! Funny story, a few years ago my grandmother was living with my parents and did the grocery shopping. She was so confused she had to ask someone who worked there which cheese was the best because the list had "hell of a good cheese" and she didn't know which was that good. He had to point out that it's a brand!!

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    1. Hahaha! Oh my goodness. That is TOO funny. Def made my day! It's totally a "hell of a good cheese"! ;)

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  28. Even as a food blogger I hate cooking in the summer. These are some great suggestions.

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    1. Thanks so much! If you try any of the recipes, I hope you enjoy!

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  29. Few things are better than a nice cheese platter on a hot summer day!

    Emma | Seeking the South

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    1. Yas! Exactly. One of my fav things ever in the Summer!

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  30. OooO I would love that grilled cheese!

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  31. I'm all about quick and easy in the summertime! These all look delicious!

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    Replies
    1. These are perfect for the Summertime! I love quick and easy.

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  32. OH MY WORD!! I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO TRY THE GRILLED CHEESE! LOOKS SO YUM

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  33. Love that makeshift pannini press! And the pannini itself looks killer too!

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  34. All of these look so yummy, especially that grilled cheese panini! I will be trying them!

    simplynancyblog.com

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    1. The grilled cheese panini has been a HUGE hit! You def need to try it!

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  35. Can't wait to try these recipes! They look so so good!

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  36. That sandwich looks so good! I knew that they made dip, but never know they made block cheese too.

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    1. Yeah! The cheese is SO delish by itself on a cheese plate or in a sandwich. The grilled cheese panini is SO good. You def should try it!

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  37. Wow. Looks so fresh and yummy!!!

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    1. It was all SO good! Definitely going to have to make the grilled cheese again for lunch today!

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  38. Love these summer time meals! They look so good. And of course I am a fan of anything cheese :)

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    1. Thanks girly! You DEF need to try the grilled cheese panini recipe. It's SO good!

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