1 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,400 Speaker 1: Hello, Hello, I'm Kelsey Nixon and this is Kitchen Prescription, 2 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: the podcast you listen to and you don't know what 3 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:18,079 Speaker 1: to make for dinner. I am fresh off an exciting vacation, 4 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: actually scratched that it was a trip, and you all 5 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:25,119 Speaker 1: know what I'm talking about. When I differentiate between vacation 6 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: and trip. There was no relaxing. This was This was 7 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: hustle and bustle. I was in New York City for 8 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:36,919 Speaker 1: a long weekend and it was so wonderful. I had 9 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: kind of an unsuspecting companion, my five girl daughter Nora, 10 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 1: and we met my sister Kylie and her two girls, 11 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: Kate and Molly, they are seven and four, and my 12 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: mom and my sister in law. We had like ultimate 13 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 1: little girls weekend in New York City and it was 14 00:00:56,680 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: so fun, so fun, so exhausting all of the stuff. 15 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:04,399 Speaker 1: My niece Kate was turning seven and my mom wanted 16 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:08,400 Speaker 1: to treat her to her first American girl doll, so 17 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: we went and did all sorts of stuff in the city. 18 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: We really had the best time. A couple of highlights 19 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 1: where we went to Ellen start Us Diner in Times Square, 20 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 1: which is super touristy. But I am telling you when 21 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:24,119 Speaker 1: you are with a gaggle of girls who are young 22 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: and I love to sing and dance and don't mind 23 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: a diner pancake. It was perfect. It was so much fun. 24 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:33,679 Speaker 1: My goodness, it's fun for adults. I lived in the 25 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: city for nearly a decade and I never went, and 26 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: that was such a miss. It was such a mistake 27 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 1: because it was a blast. So I highly recommend that. 28 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: Other highlights were doing a carriage ride in New York 29 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 1: a carriage ride in Central Park, which is also something 30 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: I never did when I lived there, But our girls 31 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 1: just thought that was so much fun. We obviously did 32 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 1: some fun shopping at the American Girls Store. We went 33 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: to the Disney Store in Time Square. It's one of 34 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 1: the only Disney stores that still left, the M and 35 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: M store. It was, it was really fun. We did 36 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 1: a couple of carousel rides in Central Park and then 37 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: down in Dumbo at Jane's Carousel. We had great pizza. 38 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 1: We saw the Lion King on Broadway. Just truly magical, 39 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: such great memories made with the side of tantrums along 40 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: the way and that's okay. That's okay. In New York 41 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,679 Speaker 1: City can be an overwhelming place for a little girl 42 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,280 Speaker 1: as well, So we had so much fun. But one 43 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,720 Speaker 1: of my favorite stops that we made was in an 44 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 1: area of Central Park called Sheep Meadow. And when we 45 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: did live there, I just was reminded of kind of 46 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:44,119 Speaker 1: this ritual or tradition we had of most Sundays when 47 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: the weather was good, we would go to Central Park, 48 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: usually Sheet Meadow, which is this vast open area kind 49 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,160 Speaker 1: of in the center of the park and it overlooks 50 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:58,920 Speaker 1: this great picturesque skyline, Like it's just it is so magical, 51 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: Like I have such fond memories being there, and we 52 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: kind of had like a picnic club so amongst our friends. 53 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: And one of the things that one of the things 54 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:10,840 Speaker 1: that's interesting about living in the city in your twenties 55 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,399 Speaker 1: is that I found that most of my friends did 56 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:18,080 Speaker 1: not have family there, and so you really rely on 57 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 1: your friends to be your family. And so we would 58 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 1: meet all our friends and we would have this picnic club, 59 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: like this Sunday picnic club in Central Park, and everybody 60 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 1: would bring a dish, potluck style, and we would hang 61 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: out on the grass, and a few of us had 62 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: young kids, and the kids would run around and it 63 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: was some of my favorite memories that we had there, 64 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: and so as I was there, I was thinking, Man, 65 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: it is it's picnic and potlock season. It really is, 66 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 1: And I thought that's what we should talk about on 67 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: the podcast this week. What to bring to a potluck, 68 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,119 Speaker 1: how to have a great picnic. And so I'm excited 69 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: to jump in and chat about that in just a bit. 70 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: But first I want to get you some d lists 71 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 1: recipe ideas for this coming week. So let's jump in. Okay. 72 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: The first thing we are going to discuss is a 73 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: June recipe club recipe, and we are going to make 74 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:19,360 Speaker 1: these delicious crispy carnitas that we use an a barrito bowl. 75 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: So this recipe was totally inspired by my kid's current 76 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:30,040 Speaker 1: fascination with Chipotle. It is their top requested fast food. 77 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: They all love it. They love the beans, they love 78 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:35,719 Speaker 1: the rice. My son loves the burrito bowl. And I thought, Okay, 79 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: we cannot be eating at Chipotle all the time, so 80 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: I gotta make a recipe that mimics this burrito bowl 81 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: that they all love. And so that's what we did. 82 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: And if you have followed me for a while, I 83 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: have a really popular carnitas tacos recipe and this is 84 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 1: somewhat similar, except for the recipe is written for the 85 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 1: slow cooker or your instant pot. It's compiled in a 86 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:00,919 Speaker 1: burrito bowl instead of tacos, but super super delicious. And 87 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: the reason I bring that up is because I kept 88 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: the flavor profile really similar because I think it's such 89 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: a winning combination. And what I mean by that is 90 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 1: the combination of spices of chili powder, ground coriander, cuman garlic, 91 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:20,480 Speaker 1: some kosher salt, and then a bunch of lime juice 92 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 1: fresh lime juice and some orange juice as well, with 93 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: a little bit of honey for some sweetness. And that 94 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:30,719 Speaker 1: just I'm telling you what citrus does to meat in 95 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: the way that it helps break it down and add 96 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 1: flavor to it is just like next level. Make this 97 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 1: recipe if you're a Recipe Club member. If not, I 98 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: would love for you to join. All my best recipes 99 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: are a recipe Club. And after you've shredded the pork 100 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: in the slow cooker, and this goes for any polled 101 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:52,320 Speaker 1: meat recipe you're going to make in a slow cooker 102 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 1: an instant pot, I always like to add the shredded 103 00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 1: meat to a sheet pan once it's done, pop on 104 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 1: my boiler for like two to five minutes and just 105 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: let the ends get crispy. And it really does so 106 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: much for the texture of your meat. I love it 107 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: that way. It doesn't all feel the same and you 108 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: get some good caramelization. I had a little bit of 109 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: honey on top because that really helps me get those 110 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: crispy ends. And it's just I love the method. So 111 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:21,359 Speaker 1: check this out. We build them into bowls with cilantro, lime, rice, 112 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:26,039 Speaker 1: black beans, some corn, guac pico. It's delicious and it's 113 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: been a huge, huge hit around here lately. Next step 114 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 1: for the meal plan is sheet pen chicken palm. You 115 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:36,600 Speaker 1: guys are not surprised to hear that one of my 116 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 1: favorite pantry staple ingredients to keep on hand is Rio's 117 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 1: Mariner sauce. Like, hands down, I cannot think of a 118 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 1: more delicious pantry staple. It is just so far superior 119 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 1: to any other jar and Mariner sauce out there that 120 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 1: is worth the extra cost, which is not significant but 121 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 1: a little bit, and especially if you can get it 122 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 1: at Costco where it's sold pretty regular stock up. So 123 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: I've always got a jar of Rayos on hand and 124 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:09,479 Speaker 1: I usually have chicken, whether that's in my freezer that 125 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 1: needs to be thought or I just picked them up 126 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 1: for the week. Making this sheet pan chicken parm is 127 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: so easy. You do a really simple breading of bread 128 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 1: crumbs which I always have on hand, some grated parm 129 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: which I always have on hand, some salt and pepper 130 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: and egg. You coat it, then you bake it. I 131 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: usually add some veggies in there, like broccoli, cauliflower, You 132 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: could do carrots, you could do squash, you can do whatever. 133 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: And then halfway through the process, you take that rayos, 134 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: you pour it over the top, you add some mozzarella 135 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: cheese on top, you put it back in, you continue 136 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: baking it, and then you finish with a broil and 137 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 1: it is delicious. It is so good. So I wanted 138 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 1: to add this because I've got like six jars of rayos. 139 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 1: I need to start working through that rayos, And so 140 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: that's on my list. Is almost like a pantry meal 141 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 1: because I think the only thing I actually need to 142 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: buy is maybe some broccoli cauliflower, and I have the 143 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 1: rest of this stuff on hand. Each week I try 144 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: and do at least one pantry meal, and this would 145 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 1: be considered my pantry meal. Keep in mind that your 146 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 1: pantry is not just your dry goods. Your pantry includes 147 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 1: your fridge, freezer and your pantry with dry goods, and 148 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 1: so there are certain things that I always have in 149 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 1: my fridge and freezer that I reach for and can 150 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: rely on, like chicken. So just keep that in mind. 151 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 1: All right, A summer tortellini salad which would be perfect 152 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:32,839 Speaker 1: for a picnic or a potluck. But I've got two 153 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: versions for you. First of all, on Instagram this week, 154 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: I shared a five ingredient version which is very Costco friendly. Mean, 155 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: you can get all of the ingredients at Costco, comes 156 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 1: together in minutes, literally minutes. It's so good. There's a 157 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: short cut ingredient in there, which I want no haters 158 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,960 Speaker 1: on this, but the Olive Garden Italian dressing is like 159 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: the world's most perfect dressing for aposta salad. It's really good, 160 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 1: you guys, and I'm sure that it's filled with stuff 161 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: that isn't that great, but yeah, live a little right 162 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 1: if you want to make more of a front scratch 163 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:13,080 Speaker 1: summer tortealini salad. I have another recipe that's slightly different 164 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:16,079 Speaker 1: but really similar on my website. It's called the tortealini 165 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: and chickpeas salad, and it's got a homemade vinaigrette. It 166 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: includes some chickpeas. Obviously, it's got some mozzarella in there 167 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:25,679 Speaker 1: instead of provolone. This would be the Tortalini salad that 168 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 1: I would serve to a Martha Stewart or an Aina. 169 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 1: But if you're just meeting your friends at the pool 170 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,439 Speaker 1: and you said you'd bring a pasta salad, check out 171 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: that five ingredient salad. All right, you guys, there you 172 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 1: have it. So three recipes. You've got your Crispy Carnata's, 173 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: burrito's bowls, you've got the sheet pan chicken palm, and 174 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 1: then the summer Tortalini salad. I'm so excited to jump 175 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 1: into the back half of the podcast where we're going 176 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: to chat a bit about those essential tips for the 177 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 1: perfect pot luck or picnic, what to bring, a few 178 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: things to keep in mind as we head into this 179 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: time of year. So everyone I know loves so good 180 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 1: potluck or picnic. It's hopefully this thing where you can 181 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 1: have all of your favorite people there. It's a really 182 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: cost efficient way to throw a party or just gather, 183 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 1: and I think it tends to make for some pretty 184 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: delicious and memorable meals. But I also know that potlucks 185 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:24,439 Speaker 1: can kind of be riddled with some unlucky side effects, 186 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 1: and so that's why I wanted it to put together 187 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 1: just a few tips for best practices so that you 188 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 1: have no like potluck fails and everything goes well. So, 189 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 1: for example, like with our picnic club, we kind of 190 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 1: had this rotating list of like, this person's bringing dessert, 191 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 1: this person's bringing a salad, this person is bringing it 192 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: was usually like cheese and crackers and things like that. 193 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: And this may seem so obvious, but a little bit 194 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:59,199 Speaker 1: of planning goes a long way so that not everybody 195 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:02,560 Speaker 1: shows up hummus and pea chips. So if you are 196 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 1: going to have a pot luck and you're organizing it, 197 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: or if you're just gonna have a casual picnic, take 198 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 1: the initiative to say, hey, I'm bringing this, Will you 199 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:13,439 Speaker 1: bring a salad? Will you bring this? Because I feel 200 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: like when we just say, oh, just bring something to share, 201 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: we either end up with everyone bringing brownies or everyone 202 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: bringing hummus. We don't want that, especially if you're anticipating 203 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 1: it to be like an actual meal, right as opposed 204 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: to just something that you're snacking on. So keep in 205 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 1: mind food that's going to travel easy, so you don't 206 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: want anything sloshing around like soup in the back of 207 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 1: your car on the way to your pot lug. It's 208 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: maybe worth investing in some really good containers that travel well. 209 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 1: You guys know, I'm such a fan of the rubber 210 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: made Brilliance containers. I love them for everything from meal 211 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 1: prep to leftover storage to transporting food to a picnic 212 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:57,760 Speaker 1: or a pot luck. And they come in sidowly big sizes, 213 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: which is great or smaller size is if you've got 214 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 1: a sauce or you've got a dip or something like that. 215 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 1: So that is my definitely my favorite recommended brand for that. 216 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: And then if you're doing something a little more substantial, 217 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:17,199 Speaker 1: don't discount transporting something maybeing your slow cooker, right, so 218 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: this might be more appropriate for the fall or winter months, 219 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:22,719 Speaker 1: but like if you're going to a Halloween party and 220 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,079 Speaker 1: you're bringing chili, just bring your slow cooker, right and 221 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: then you're not worrying about transferring it or anything like that. 222 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 1: Or maybe it is summer and you're doing like shredded 223 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:32,439 Speaker 1: pork sandwiches or something like that, or you're going to 224 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: do the crispy Carneta bowls like we talked about on 225 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: our meal plan this week. That would be a great 226 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: thing to transport in your slow cooker, and you can 227 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: just take the insert out. It's not like you have 228 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:44,720 Speaker 1: to bring the whole thing. Because it's made of cast iron, 229 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 1: the inserts it typically will retain heat well. So keep 230 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: that in mind if you are bringing something to a 231 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: potlock where you know a lot of people are coming. 232 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 1: I have found that sometimes I overdo it and I 233 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:01,439 Speaker 1: bring too much, so that's just something to keep in mind. 234 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: I always recommend bringing those ready to serve containers. Not 235 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: only do they travel well, but you just want to 236 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 1: pop the lid off and serve it. You don't want 237 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: to be transferring anything. There was a time in my 238 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 1: life where I would have brought a board to create 239 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: a beautiful sharkcreotery board. That is not the time in 240 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,080 Speaker 1: my life right now, Like it's too crazy, So think 241 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 1: about what containers you can pack it home bring, just 242 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: pop the lid off and serve. We're not trying to 243 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:31,200 Speaker 1: win any contests here utensils. Now. This is in regards 244 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 1: to a picnic, so I have a picnic caddy, and 245 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 1: it has lasted me a couple of years. It actually 246 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: just kind of sits in our garage and it's got 247 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,839 Speaker 1: this cover on it and whatever. But it's got plastic forks, 248 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: plastic spoons, plastic knives, plates, napkins. It's even got like 249 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 1: a little cheese knife in there. And so when we're 250 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 1: going to go meet friends at the park to have dinner, 251 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: whether that's we're ordering pizza, we're gonna share pizza at 252 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: the park and grab some salad, or everyone's doing a 253 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:06,040 Speaker 1: potlock and bringing something to share, I can grab that 254 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: utensil caddy and it's super super helpful. I'll be sure 255 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 1: to link something in the show notes so you can 256 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:13,960 Speaker 1: have a visual of that. But it's a really really 257 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 1: smart idea. Another tool I really like is having a 258 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 1: cooler bag. So I am still on the stage of 259 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: life where I use a stroller when word walk into 260 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 1: the park or something like that, and so I find 261 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: that having a cooler bag is a little bit easier 262 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: to transport than an actual cooler And that may be 263 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 1: for drinks that you want to keep cool, or that 264 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 1: may be for if you're serving something that you want 265 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: to keep cool. Keep an eye out for those. These 266 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 1: are bags that you typically store in the freezer, or 267 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: you can pop them in the freezer the night before 268 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 1: your potlock or picnic and then they get really cold 269 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:51,880 Speaker 1: and then they keep things cold. I have used those 270 00:14:52,320 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 1: super super regularly this time of year. When you're selecting 271 00:14:57,360 --> 00:15:01,120 Speaker 1: what to bring, think about foods that you tend to 272 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 1: work best at room temperature. So occasionally you're gonna have 273 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:06,360 Speaker 1: something you may need to keep cold, and that's where 274 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: those cooler bags come in handy. But I wouldn't plan 275 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 1: to bring ice cream, right or something like deviled eggs 276 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: not created a picnic, and probably not even great at a 277 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 1: a PoTA. I mean, if you're inside they're finding a pollock. 278 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 1: But just think twice about something you want sturdy, simple 279 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 1: food that requires very little hands on prep. You don't 280 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 1: want items that are going to get soggy, just stuff 281 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: that gets it's really good at room temperature. In fact, 282 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: I actually have a recipe on my website for a 283 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 1: picnic sandwich and you make it on Shabbata bread and 284 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: you layer it and it's awesome because it doesn't it's 285 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 1: intended to kind of be made and sit for a 286 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: long time and still be great. If you're bringing a 287 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: salad to a picnic or pollock, I recommend waiting to 288 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: dress the salad. Now. There's an exception here when it 289 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: comes to pasta salads. In that case, I think the 290 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 1: longer the dressing sits on the pasta, the more flavored absorbs. 291 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 1: But if you're bringing a salad with greens, I would 292 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 1: transfer your dressing to a mason jar, which is great 293 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: because you can just shake it up, especially if it's 294 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: a homemade dressing, And I would pack that separately and 295 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: then dress the salad when you get there or just 296 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 1: serve it on the side. But I wouldn't. You don't 297 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 1: want your greens to be soggy by the time people 298 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: get there. Don't forget about grains. We talked about pasta salad, 299 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 1: but you guys know how much I love green bowl 300 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: and a green salad, And especially during the summer months, 301 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: I feel like grain bowls and having maybe something at 302 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: the park where you've got substantial grains, some vegetables, a 303 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: really yummy vinegrete. That's a really really nice salad to 304 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 1: have when you're pot looking or picnicking. And don't forget 305 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: about potato salad now, I would look for like a 306 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: mayo egg free potato salad, but a potato salad like 307 00:16:57,080 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 1: I have on my site that's like a German style 308 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:04,520 Speaker 1: potatoes with a vinaigrette actually just great. So that's some 309 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: one to keep in mind as you're heading out to 310 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: your barbecues and picnics and things like that. When it 311 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: comes to dessert, I especially for these types of gatherings, 312 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:17,399 Speaker 1: like to keep it really simple. So as much as 313 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,719 Speaker 1: I love a layer cake or like a juicy fruit pie, 314 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:23,120 Speaker 1: they're messy and they're not going to hold up as well. 315 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:26,439 Speaker 1: So think about brownies, bars, and cookies. I've got a 316 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:29,959 Speaker 1: really delicious chocolate peanut butter brownie that's awesome. I've got 317 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 1: a great Texas sheet cake that's really good. I've got 318 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,240 Speaker 1: all sorts of cookie recipes, But keep those things in mind. 319 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 1: The other thing you want to talk about is this 320 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 1: idea of disposable versus reusable. I a couple of years 321 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: ago invested in some reusable picnicking plates and they've been great. 322 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 1: They actually are the ones that sit in my picnic caddy. 323 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,120 Speaker 1: We also use paper plates sometimes too, But if that's 324 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: something you are trying to be conscious of, there's so 325 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:00,959 Speaker 1: many great options on the market right now for great 326 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 1: reusable picnicking. So if you're going to do a picnic 327 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:06,479 Speaker 1: club or something like that, you may want to do 328 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 1: that for your family is get a set of reusable 329 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 1: picnicking plates. When I pack for a picnic, I always 330 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:17,879 Speaker 1: like to put the heaviest things on bottom and the 331 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: lighter things on top, kind of like I'm packing up 332 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:23,120 Speaker 1: at the grocery store, and like, you just don't want 333 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: that watermelon to be on top of your cupcakes, right, So, 334 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:29,200 Speaker 1: and then I usually try and put the things that 335 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: I'm going to unpack first, like maybe the blanket at 336 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 1: the top as opposed to the bottom, and that makes 337 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:38,399 Speaker 1: for a little bit easier. So I also like the 338 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:41,600 Speaker 1: idea of creating a little bit of a checklist. If 339 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: you're going to have a regular ritual like we did 340 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 1: in New York of going to the park and having 341 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 1: a meal at the park, maybe you're going to do 342 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 1: it every Sunday or every Monday or something like that, 343 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:56,119 Speaker 1: make a checklist in your phone. I have one on 344 00:18:56,119 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: my site, like a downloadable, printable picnic checklist. But even 345 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: if it's in your phone where it's like okay, do 346 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 1: I have the blanket, Do I have the drinks? Do 347 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:06,719 Speaker 1: I have the picnic caddy? Things like that, and that 348 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 1: makes it a little easier. We did that in New York. 349 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: It was awesome. The last thing I want to talk 350 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: about is just a couple of ideas for chilling tips. 351 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:17,639 Speaker 1: So everything from cold cut sandwiches to chilled salads and 352 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:22,120 Speaker 1: icy beverages. They're so great on warm days, and if 353 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: you are going to pack those and you want to 354 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: make sure they stay cold and safe to eat. These 355 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 1: are a couple of things that I like to keep 356 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:33,480 Speaker 1: in mind. Transfer chilled foods directly from the refrigerator to 357 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 1: your cooler, meaning don't put a can of warm soda 358 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 1: in your cooler or cooler bag and expect for it 359 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:43,879 Speaker 1: to get cold. You want that puppy to be chilling 360 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 1: in the fridge hours before you're actually going to transfer 361 00:19:46,359 --> 00:19:49,800 Speaker 1: it to the bag. Or nothing beats cold crisp watermelon. 362 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:52,640 Speaker 1: So while watermelon technically doesn't need to be cold to eat, 363 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: it is so delicious when it is cold. So you'll 364 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: want that watermelon to be chilled before you pack it 365 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:01,840 Speaker 1: into what if you're packing it into to keep it chilled, 366 00:20:02,160 --> 00:20:06,320 Speaker 1: you'll want to make sure that you've got water, especially 367 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 1: if you're picnicking outside during the hot summer months. Another 368 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:11,640 Speaker 1: tip that we used to do when we were doing 369 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 1: our picnic club is we would take bottles of water 370 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 1: and we would freeze them in the freezer and then 371 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 1: we would toss a few in and they would act 372 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: almost as like ice. But then as we'd be at 373 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 1: the park for an hour or two, they would eventually 374 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 1: melt and we had bottled water. So that's something to 375 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 1: keep in mind. A full cooler or cooler bag is 376 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 1: going to stay colder and longer than one is partially empty, 377 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:37,600 Speaker 1: so choose the right size. If you are regularly doing 378 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:39,720 Speaker 1: this and you're taking a ton of food, then you 379 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,359 Speaker 1: want something a little larger. But if not, get just 380 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: one of these little bags. They really are great. We 381 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 1: use our all of the time. Once you get to 382 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:51,919 Speaker 1: the park, look for a shady spots because that really 383 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:54,880 Speaker 1: helps in keeping things cooler longer. I'm going to say 384 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: it one more time, avoid packing anything that's got like 385 00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:00,159 Speaker 1: a mayonnaise based or an ice cream based dish that 386 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 1: can turn bad or melt in the sun. I think 387 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 1: successful picnics and kind of outdoor potlucks really are more 388 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:15,119 Speaker 1: successful when you're packing the right things. All right, you guys, 389 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 1: there you go, Happy picnicking season, Happy potluck season. I'll 390 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:22,199 Speaker 1: tell you what I'm making this year. I'm taking that 391 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: five ingredient pasta salad everywhere I go because I can't 392 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 1: get enough of it. It's so dark, delicious, and I 393 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:31,639 Speaker 1: love a pasta salad. I love apasta salad on a 394 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 1: hot summer day on a blanket with my friends, watching 395 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: our kids run around. I just love it. All right, 396 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:40,679 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for listening this week. If you 397 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:42,679 Speaker 1: guys have any questions, you can always reach out to 398 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 1: me hello at Kelsey Nixon dot com. And you know 399 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,199 Speaker 1: I would love to have you in Recipe Club if 400 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:50,600 Speaker 1: you have any questions about Recipe Club and if you 401 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 1: want access to my best recipes. Truly, that is where 402 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:57,960 Speaker 1: I put my biggest effort is into those Recipe Club 403 00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:00,399 Speaker 1: recipes because I'm so grateful for those of views that 404 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,439 Speaker 1: are in there and that support it. Join us, we 405 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 1: have the best time. If you're looking to organize your 406 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 1: kitchen this summer, don't forget about my family and you'll 407 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:10,479 Speaker 1: make over. Course. We'll do everything from showing you how 408 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: to outfit and organize your kitchen in addition to twenty 409 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:17,119 Speaker 1: five stellar recipes. And I always have to give a 410 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 1: shout out to thank those of you have left for 411 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 1: reviews for the podcast, whether that be on the podcasting 412 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:25,679 Speaker 1: platforms or you just share in stories on Instagram. It 413 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 1: means the world to me. All Right, you guys, talk 414 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:28,440 Speaker 1: to you next week.