1. Beef burgers with Caramelized Onions and Chipotle Mayo
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck or ground beef (80 lean 20 fat)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 ground black pepper
*optional swiss cheese (or any cheese you may like)
2-3 onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
6 buns
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 chipotle chiles from 1 can of chipotle in adobo
2 tablespoon freshly squeeze lime juice
Let's start on the sides first;
Chipotle Mayonaise:
Place mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotles and lime juice in a blender. Puree until it's all smooth and the chipotles are completely chopped. Pour in a bowl and cover tight, place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Caramelized Onions:
Place skillet on medium-low heat, pour in oil and place in the onions stirring often. Season with salt and pepper until translucent adding in the sugar little by little allowing the onions to sweat, have patience with the onions and continue to stir for about 10-15 minutes. Set aside.
Burger:
Gently toss ground beef with salt and pepper, shape mixture into patties and place on grill
The finale!!!!
Place the buns on the grill toasting them a little, butter each bun then brush on Chipotle Mayo stack the caramelized onions and throw in a sliced tomato and few pieces of lettuce. Oh and on my burger I like to melt a piece of swiss cheese, but everyone has their own preference, either or burger is a slam duck!
2. Grilled Watermelon with Cheese
Okay so this one is quite simple, just a few ingredients you can throw on the grill and truly enjoy! Here it is; cut watermelons about 1 inch thick, you can choose either halloumi cheese or fresh mozzarella and throw those on the grill along side. Leave on there until there are grill marks, then place on a platter. Drizzle with extra oil, salt and pepper to taste and arrange some mint leaves. Bon appetit!
Okay so this one is quite simple, just a few ingredients you can throw on the grill and truly enjoy! Here it is; cut watermelons about 1 inch thick, you can choose either halloumi cheese or fresh mozzarella and throw those on the grill along side. Leave on there until there are grill marks, then place on a platter. Drizzle with extra oil, salt and pepper to taste and arrange some mint leaves. Bon appetit!
3. Caprese Salad
So besides the grilled watermelon I must admit my favorite salad of all time containing fresh mozzarella cheese is the Caprese Salad, so simple yet so light and incredibly delicious! You kinda can't get it wrong; ripe-vine tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. Viola! How effortless is that!?
Directions:
Layer alternating pieces of sliced tomatoes and mozzarella with basil leaves in between. Drizzle olive oil and season with salt and pepper. I'm telling you it'll be your new favorite salad!! Please go and try it...NOW!
4. BBQ Chicken
What's a summer BBQ without the classic BBq chicken? It's one of the summer must-haves and a summer staple food. I usually take my chicken pieces (wings, breasts and thighs) and marinade it overnight in this sweet honey orange marinade.
Marinade mix:
1/2 cup of freshly squeeze orange juice (or tropicana if you have)
1/2 orange zest
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
When you're ready to grill take out the marinaded chicken and allow to come to room temperature before throwing it on the grill. Turn the heat on medium-low and cover the lid on the grill, allow to cook for about 25 minutes or until it's cooked through. While the chicken is grilling get the glaze ready on the stovetop.
Glaze recipe:
4 tablespoon of butter (about 1/2 stick)
1/4 cup freshly squeeze orange juice (or tropicana if you have)
1/4 orange zest
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
On the stovetop melt the butter and add in the glaze ingredients mixing well, once it all melts stir well and glaze on top of the chicken brushing each side flipping over every 3-5 minutes. Continue to brush the chicken until it's no longer pink.
5. Portobello Burgers
Now something for the vegetarians, but I promise you even if you aren't I bet you'll still love this recipe! I've found that I have actually prefered this versus the classic burger at times, truly satisfying!
Ingredients:
4 portobello mushroom, caps off
2-3 teaspoon grill seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2-4 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup of pesto (store bought will be fine)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 slices of provolone cheese
burger buns
handful of arugula
Rub the portobello mushroom with a damp cloth cleaning off excess, in a small bowl mix the oil, seasoning, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar mixing well and brush on the mushroom before placing on the grill. Cook each side for about 5-6 minutes, after flipping for the final time top with a piece of provolone cheese. In another small bowl mix in the pesto and mayonnaise and spread on the buns, top with portobello, arugula and a thick slice of tomato.
6. Potato Salad
It won't be summer without some classic potato salad!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds of red or white potatoes, peeled
1 1/2 cups of mayonnaise
1 tablespoon of cider vinegar
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 black pepper
5 hard boiled eggs, chopped
*optional paprika
Directions:
Boil potatoes for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender, drain and set aside. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle go ahead and cut potatoes into cubes. In a medium size bowl mix the vinegar, salt, pepper and mayonnaise. Add in the potatoes, diced onions and celery, stir in the eggs carefully tossing in the ingredients well so you won't crush the eggs. Cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 3-4 hours allowing the flavors to blend. *Add in paprika.
7. Hot Dog
A few years ago I roamed the streets of Copenhagen and on every corner it seemed there were these frank trucks versus the traditional kebab I was use to in the streets of New York. I passed one and found it interesting, passed the second and was a bit more intrigued and by the third I was pointing to the picture of which frank I just had to try! This was what it looked like:
So I opted for number 20, the ristet hotdog! Boy was it surely yummy!!! Here's an upclose look:
Messy to eat but a sure delight!! A ristet hotdog comes inside a bun and is topped with pickled cucumber, crispy onions, mustard, ketchup and remoulade (which has become an addiction for me). So before squirting on that ketchup try these toppings and I'm sure you too will be hooked.
8. Smoked BBQ Ribs
One word: YUM! Who doesn't love a good piece of BBQ ribs!?
Ingredients:
2 pounds baby back ribs
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chile powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
Directions:
While your grill is heating it's time for some finger-lickin' good ribs! Remove the membrane from the ribs if the butcher hasn't already (I ask my butcher to do so to save me a step). Combine the paprika, chile, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub the powdered mixture on the ribs massaging it in well. Place the ribs on the grill, brush on the BBQ sauce and close the lid. Cook through for about 25 minutes until flipping over brushing the other side and cook through for an additional hour or so brushing on and flipping over every 20-25 minutes.
9. Corn on the Grill
Ingredients:
6 fresh corn on the cob
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoon hot pepper
Directions:
Heat the grill putting it on medium-high and spray the grate with oil. While the grill is heating up grab a small saucepan and heat the butter and garlic on low for about 5 minutes, don't let it burn so keep fire on low. In a small bowl mix stir together the cumin, sugar, salt and pepper, mix well and slowly transfer in the butter mixture along with the hot sauce and lime juice. Stir well making sure it's evenly blended, brush the corn generously with the garlic butter. Cook the corn until it's hot and tender turning over every 10-15 minutes brushing with the mix until cooked.
10. Grilled Salmon
Last but not least my favorite recipe from Ina Garten, Asian Grilled Salmon. Here's the step by step!
Ingredients:
1 side fresh salmon, boned but skin on
2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoon good soy sauce
6 tablespoon good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Directions:
Brush the rack on the grill with oil to keep salmon from sticking, while the grill is heating up mix together the the dijon, soy sauce, oil and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle half of the marinade onto the salmon and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Place the salmon skin side down on the hot grill for 5 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn the fish carefully with a wide spatula so it doesn't break and grill the other side for 5-7 minutes, the salmon in the center will be slightly raw but it will cook as it sits so allow it to sit rather than immediately cutting into it. Transfer the fish to a plate skin side down and spoon some of the marinade on top, allow to rest for another 10 minutes, serve.
Ah finally we made it! I hope you go ahead and try some of these mouth watering recipes! Share your favorites, take a picture and leave a comment. Better yet, why don't you tell me some of YOUR summer fav's! I want to wish you all a fun, safe and amazing labor day weekend!!!! :) xo
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