Sheet Pan Dinners and Slab Pies

Shrimp and spicy sausage were served up in 
warmed tortillas

Too many hot days this summer, and even grilling was unbearable. I love to cook, but there are times when I want dinner preparation to be easy. To be honest, my husband does the grilling these days. However on the really hot days, we both agreed that we'd rather crank up the air conditioning to compensate for turning on the oven. In the end, the goal was dinner and it's difficult to enjoy a meal when you're overheated. This summer, we added sheet pan dinners to our repertoire. Instantly, life became better. After all, it's all about the small things, right? 

Now, with a hint of cooler weather coming our way, I'd give anything for one of those smoldering hot days. Summer is way too short. That's for sure. Now, its back to school, and it feels as if the SHTF and in September, I'm all about survival. Suddenly, we're back to seeing just how much we can pack into one day. By the time we've reached the dinner table,  and yes, we still sit together as a family, it can be pretty silent.

So, with survival in mind, I like to know that in a relatively brief amount of time, and with minimum prep, dinner will be served. Enter the sheet pan dinner and slab pie. They will not only satisfy you but save your sanity too. So, what's next? 

Italian sausage, butternut squash, sage and onions

Recipe? Nope. It's dinner with an attitude. Pour a glass of your favorite libation. Next, put all of your favorite s**t on a sheet pan. Season it well. Kosher salt, pepper. Herbs. Olive oil. Slather it. Pesto perhaps? Spicy sofrito? Yep. You're making culinary art here. The sheet pan is your palette and you're feeding your family. Take another sip of your drink. Smile. Life is good.  

Know that in a short amount of time, you'll be sitting at the table admiring the sweet smiles of your children as they share stories of their satisfying first days at school. Your husband will even send you a salacious look across the table and inquire about the sweet slab of a dessert that's in the oven. Ahhh, such savory memories in the making! 

   

Peach and rhubarb slab pie with crumble topping

Seriously, sheet pan dinners and slab pies may not save the world, but if they save a bit of sanity, and offer up savory and sweet solutions, then why not?! Clean up? It's only one pan and you've got this. 

Let's take on September- one sheet pan at a time.