Protein-Powered Summer Meals

(Family Features) Summer days spent outdoors call for meals with high-quality protein to help you power through the fun. From breakfast to dinner, quick, hassle-free meals are ideal for making sure your family stays well-fed and satisfied between activities. Options from Farmer John’s extensive lineup, ranging from bacon and hot dogs to sausages and more, make it easy to create flavorful meals for any occasion. To kick off the day right, try these Thick Cut Bacon, Ham and Pimento Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches. For a midday pick-me-up, Asian Cajun Po’ Boys offer a mouthwatering kick from naturally hardwood smoked Hot Louisiana Smoked Sausage.  In addition to offering proteins perfect for a variety of menu items, Farmer John is also on a mission to give back to the Golden State through its California Commitment Tour. For the third year in a row, the brand is embarking on an 8-week mission of feeding, celebrating and serving communities across the state by delivering free grab-and-go lunches to locals and essential businesses 3-4 times per week and donating protein to local food banks. As an extension of this year’s tour, the team introduced its California Kindness Project – a program designed to support committed nonprofits making an impact through $100,000 in grants. To find more summer recipes, or learn more about the philanthropic efforts, visit FarmerJohn.com. Thick Cut Bacon, Ham and Pimento Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches Recipe courtesy of Brenda Buenviajé on behalf of Farmer John Total time: 1 hour Servings: 6 1 package Farmer John Premium Thick Cut Bacon 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 package Farmer John Classic Hickory Smoked Ham Steak, diced into 1/2-inch pieces 2 scallions, thinly sliced 10 eggs, lightly whipped 1 teaspoon salt 1/2cup pimento cheese, at room temperature 1-2 vine-ripened tomatoes (6 slices) 6 brioche rolls, lightly buttered and toasted on insides In pan, fry bacon until crispy; slice each piece in half and set aside. In large nonstick frying pan over high heat, add canola oil. Add ham and fry until browned. Lower flame to medium and add scallions. Saute about 30 seconds. Add eggs and salt to pan; scramble eggs with ham. Turn off heat and lightly fold in pimento cheese. Place one tomato slice on bottom of interiors of each roll. Place three pieces bacon on each tomato. Evenly divide and spoon scrambled eggs on bacon; close roll tops. Asian Cajun Po’ Boys Recipe courtesy of Brenda Buenviajé on behalf of Farmer John Total time: 1 hour Servings: 8 Sisig Sauce: 1/3 cup fresh lime juice 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce 1 tablespoons ginger, finely grated Po’ Boy: 28 ounces Farmer John Hot Louisiana Smoked Sausage 3 tablespoons cooking oil 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1/2 small yellow onion, minced sisig sauce 8 French rolls, lightly toasted on insides 4-5 vine-ripened tomatoes (16 slices) 1/2 cup mayo 8 eggs, cooked sunny side up 2 scallions, thinly sliced 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced To make sisig sauce: Stir lime juice, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and ginger; set aside. Using knife, score sausages by making diagonal slices to surface. Repeat on other side to make “X” shape. In large frying pan over high heat, add oil. Add sausages and fry until browned and crispy. Lower heat to medium; add garlic and onions. Cook 3-4 minutes until vegetables are lightly caramelized. Add sisig sauce and simmer 1 minute. Turn off heat. Layer two tomato slices on interior of each roll. Place sausages in each roll. Evenly divide and spoon sauce on each link. Drizzle mayo over each po’ boy. Place one sunny side up egg on each po’ boy and garnish with scallion and jalapeno.