When I think of Sunday dinner ideas, images (and aromas) of slow-cooked homestyle meals come to mind.

Roast…meatloaf. Meals that say “home” to me.

What will you be cooking this Sunday?

Sometimes I WANT a meal that takes time to prepare, but I simply don’t have the time. Or I just want to spend Sunday with my family instead of in the kitchen. On those days, these Heat & Serve Gourmet meals are ideal. Everything from Beef Wellington and twice-baked potatoes to brisket to lobster tails and salmon.

Literally, you just put them in the oven and serve them. Even I can do that.

Want to spend some time preparing a home-cooked meal from scratch this Sunday? There’s a plethora of great recipes to try. May I suggest a gorgeous Chateaubriand?

Enjoy your Sunday dinner this weekend – however you plan to spend it!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Are you barbecuing? It’s time!

Here are some top meal ideas and recipes for your barbecue – pick some and have a go!

ENTREES

I absolutely LOVE a good brisket. That smoky flavor makes me so happy. And ribs are a great go-to entree as well. Ever tried burnt ends? They’re boneless and not messy. Delicious! Try beef or pork.

SIDE DISHES

What goes with everything? Twice-baked potatoes! Cheesy, bacony goodness. Another great option my family loves is green beans in mushroom cream sauce. Delish!

BBQ SAUCES

You could buy those store-bought sauces but why not try something fresh? A little extra effort makes it taste that much better. Here are some awesome sauce recipes – give ’em a whirl!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

It’s COOKOUT time of year!!!

You want to invite the whole gang over to beat the heat and share some good, grilled grub.

With a little planning, your cookout can be the Greatest Cookout of All Time. And everyone – including you – will have lots of fun.

How does this happen? Follow this simple checklist for a fantastic cookout!

1. INVITATIONS

You can obviously just verbally invite folks over but if you do that you don’t have a concrete RSVP list. And that makes food and supplies hard to judge. My advice is good, old-fashioned invitations in the mailbox. Guests can RSVP by e-mail, but go all out and send ’em some paper!

2. MENU PLANNING

Think about the number of people who’ll be there, but also WHO will be there. Does everyone like filets? Burgers? Chicken? Seafood? Make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy. And load up on sides and desserts, too, like gourmet mac ‘n cheese and red velvet cake. Check out these recipes for inspiration. Hey, variety is the spice of life!

3. DRINKS

Don’t forget to quench their thirst! Make sure if you’re going to have alcoholic drinks, you also have non-alcoholic drinks. And have lots of water on hand. It’s hot out there!

4. DECORATIONS

You can really give your cookout a special feel if you decorate just for the occasion. Go Hawaiian or decorate with a down-home Southern twist. Really make it special!

5. ENTERTAINMENT

This can be as simple as setting out a game of horseshoes or croquet to play while the food is grilling. Or, even designating a DJ. Just give ’em something to focus on before, during and after the food makes its grand entrance!

If you plan it all out ahead of time, you can just go with the flow and enjoy your friends and family at your cookout. And THAT is what summer’s all about!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.