This Week in My Kitchen: Summer Shifts, Easy Dinners, and Garden Goodness

Happy Sunday, friends—and an early Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians! I hope your weekend is filled with sunshine, laughter, and maybe something delicious on your plate. I’m popping in this morning with a swollen eye (thanks, black flies!) and a full heart, ready to chat about summer routines, simple meals, fresh-from-the-garden food, and what’s cooking in my kitchen this week.

Before we dive in, I want to say thank you. A lovely woman stopped me in the grocery store to tell me how much she enjoys my “This Week in My Kitchen” posts. I’ve had others message me saying it helps spark new ideas, reminds them of meals they haven’t made in a while, or even inspires them to plan just two meals for the week. That’s exactly why I do this—to make home cooking feel doable and exciting again. 💛

My Summer Schedule Shift (and Why My Menu Is Empty Right Now)

If you noticed my calendar is looking a little bare—don’t worry! That’s intentional. I switch to a summer routine in July and August where I don’t work Mondays. Instead of taking a full week off (which always turns into a cleaning marathon), I’ve learned that long weekends give me a better balance. I still make beautiful memories with my kids, have time for appointments or catch-ups with friends, and most importantly—get extra time in the kitchen without the rush.

This new rhythm means my weekly menu looks a little different. I only need to plan for three big meals this week with the kids around, and I’m focusing on meals that feel satisfying but simple, using what I have in the fridge, freezer, and garden.

This Week’s Meal Plan: Fresh, Easy, and Full of Flavour

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

1. Montreal Burgers with Toasted Salad Buns and a Big Side Salad

I’m trying a new burger spice, with seasoned ground beef, crispy toasted buns, and a fresh green salad on the side. I’ll whip up a special burger sauce—maybe something like a “Big Burger Sauce” or a pesto spread.

Speaking of pesto, I grabbed some cilantro on sale and plan to make a few batches. Who else makes their own pesto? I always thought you had to use basil, but garlic scapes or cilantro work beautifully. And trust me, a spoonful of homemade pesto or hot pepper jelly on your burger will take it from good to gourmet.

2. Maple Grill House Chicken (New Seasoning Alert!)

I’m testing out a new seasoning called Maple Grill House—rumored to be similar to the O’ Canada blend we used to carry. I’ll marinate chicken with it and either grill it for a warm dish or slice it over a salad if the weather’s too hot for heavier meals. Simple, summery, and adaptable.

3. Oven-Baked Salmon with Garden Veggies and a New Potato

Since I’m off Monday, I pulled out a beautiful piece of salmon to enjoy for lunch or dinner. I even splurged on a single new potato from the store (yep—$3 for one!). My garden is loaded with fresh greens, peas, beans, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, and soon… watermelons! The kids are obsessed with running out to the greenhouse to see what’s ripe. One of them even asked me where my hotdog plant was. 😂

What’s Happening in My Garden

Right now, my greenhouse is bursting with salad greens, and the peas are nearly ready. Every day, the little ones rush out and pick cucumbers, cherry tomatoes (some love them, some aren’t fans of the “burst!”), and greens to munch on. I love seeing their curiosity and taste buds grow. The earlier we get them tasting fresh food, the more open they’ll be to new flavours down the road.

Gardening with kids is messy, joyful, and absolutely worth it.

Batch Cooking + Freezer Prep: Easy Breakfasts and Snacks

This weekend I also cooked:

• Ground pork breakfast burgers – seasoned and frozen in portions so I can grab one on a busy morning.

• Cream cheese-filled rhubarb muffins – next time, I’ll read the recipe to the end because you’re supposed to layer the batter. I just swirled the cream cheese in instead, and they turned out delicious anyway.

• Cinnamon loaf – a sweet treat for the kids to snack on this week.

• Lentil salad – packed with corn, red onion, tomatoes, red pepper, and a zesty lime dressing. My nutritionist suggested this one for an easy, protein-rich summer side. I’ll report back on the taste after lunch!

• White bean + spinach dip – it turned out very green (I may have gone overboard on the spinach) but it’s super nutritious. I froze it in muffin cups so I can defrost one at a time and serve it with crackers.

Cool Weather = Oven Time

Yesterday was cooler, so I made a couple of quiches my son had been asking for. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish when you want something hearty without too much effort.

And because I’ve been craving easy dinners that still pack a punch, I splurged on a mango Sriracha hummus—sweet, spicy, and so satisfying with seed crackers and a little cottage cheese on the side. It’s an easy go-to when I’m too tired to cook, especially after a full Saturday in the kitchen.

Air Fryer Love (And Why I Finally Upgraded)

Guess what? I finally got myself the Ninja double drawer air fryer—and oh my goodness, game-changer. I had a tiny one before and didn’t realize how much I was missing out. I’ve already:

• Toasted burger buns (no need to turn on the oven!)

• Cooked crispy chicken sandwiches

• Made fries with no oil (still perfecting that part—I burned them a bit 😅)

I’d love to hear: what are your favourite air fryer recipes? I’m experimenting with roasting vegetables in mine to change up the flavours.

Let’s Talk Shawarma Chicken – My Favourite Seasoning of All Time

Last week I made shawarma chicken with a blend I absolutely love. It’s hands-down my favourite seasoning. I marinate chicken overnight using a 1:1 ratio of oil and spice, then grill or pan-cook it. After cooking, I slice it up thin and stuff it into pita bread with thick tzatziki, crisp lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and peppers.

The spice jar looks small, but I’ve already made three meals out of it and expect to get at least 8 meals total. A tablespoon per two chicken breasts seems to be the sweet spot. So flavourful, and perfect for warm evenings when you want dinner ready fast.

Dips You’ll Love: Burger, Onion & More

Also last week, I made a loaded burger dip (SO good) and a caramelized onion dip that tastes just like French onion dip. I’m already planning to use it in a meatloaf next.

If you’re collecting seasonings but aren’t sure how to use them, please reach out! You’re not alone—and I’m always happy to help you make the most of what’s in your cupboard.

Let’s Chat! 💬

Now I want to hear from YOU:

• Did you cook at least two home-cooked meals last week?

• What were they? Drop them in the comments to inspire others!

• Are you growing a garden? What’s thriving in your space?

• Are you watching these posts live or catching the replay? Would a Thursday evening slot work better?

And if there’s a spice you’ve bought but aren’t sure how to use, message me. I’ll send you recipes and ideas—we’ll make sure your meals feel fresh and exciting again.

Thanks for spending your Sunday morning with me. Whether you’re prepping meals, sipping coffee, or scrolling for ideas, I’m grateful you’re here. Have a wonderful long weekend and enjoy the celebrations ahead.

Happy cooking!

Kelly

#SimpleSummerMeals #GardenToTableCooking