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Sunday BBQ: Peppered Pineapple-Beef Kebabs

YumSugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:00:26 -0700

If you haven't already done so yet, this long weekend is the ideal time to break out your barbecue. That's why I'm reinstating Sunday BBQ, a weekly series featuring my favored foolproof grilled dinners. I'm starting with beef and pineapple kebabs, because what would Memorial Day be without some grilled beef? Since everyone will already be eating hamburgers and hot dogs, lure the crowd your way with these marinated sirloin skewers. When paired with tangy, warm pineapple that's been caramelized on the grill, you've got the ultimate succulence on a stick.

Make your long weekend an even better one when you read more.

Peppered Pineapple-Beef Kebabs
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1 pound trimmed sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 teaspoons coarsely ground fresh black pepper
1 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for sprinkling
1 pound store-bought fresh pineapple chunks (about 3 cups)
1 teaspoon sugar
Cooking spray

Directions

Soak ten 9-inch bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss the steak with the olive oil, 2 teaspoons pepper and the salt. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
In another medium bowl, combine the pineapple, sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons pepper; toss to coat.
Thread 5 or 6 pieces of seasoned steak and pineapple alternately onto the skewers, and set on a plate or baking sheet. Season with salt.
Lightly coat a grill pan or large, heavy skillet with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat until very hot. Lower the heat slightly and, working in 2 or 3 batches, grill the skewers in the pan, turning once, until the pineapple and steak are golden, about 5 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 10 kebabs.

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Would You Rather Eat a Hot Dog or Hamburger?

partysugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 01:30:02 -0700

Source

Come Party With Me: Memorial Day - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 09:15:38 -0700

The clear Summer sky inspires a Memorial Day look that is bright and crisp. Start by covering an outdoor table with a plaid tablecloth. Serve the steak and potatoes on one big platter family style. Plastic reusable plates are best for the backyard because they won't break. Keep napkins and utensils simple. When served in a big glass bowl, the jewel punch is festive and inviting. Hang a string of lights from the roof or between trees. Don't forget lots of unscented white candles and to fill a vase with a beautiful bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.

Source

Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:15:33 -0700

Memorial Day would be the perfect occasion to serve this tart, creamy, all-American pie. Can you guess what it is?

Come Party With Me: Memorial Day - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:50:39 -0700

No Memorial Day celebration should be without strawberries. The plump juicy berries are at the peak of their season now, so take advantage of them! You could incorporate them into an appetizer, salad, or dessert, but why not use this luscious fruit to mix up a tantalizing cocktail? This punch recipe serves a crowd (18 people!) and is packed with vibrant flavors. Vodka is combined with Cointreau and ginger ale to make a drink that is fizzy and refreshing. Although it calls for frozen cherries, if they have already popped up at your farmers market, substitute fresh.

Don't forget plenty of beer, wine, water, and sodas - it is a party! For the recipe to the jewel punch, read more.

Jewel Punch
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1 liter ginger ale, chilled
Three 12-ounce bags frozen cherries
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
3 cups purple grape juice, chilled
1 1/2 cups vodka
1/4 cup Cointreau or triple sec
Ice, for serving

Directions

Combine the ginger ale, cherries, strawberries, grape juice, vodka and Cointreau in a punch bowl or large pitcher and stir well.
Pour into ice-filled glasses and enjoy!

Serves 18.

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'Wich of the Week: Grilled Gourmet Sausage on Olive Bread

YumSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:00:34 -0700

With this grilling-centric holiday upon us, I'm looking beyond burgers and dogs and drooling over gourmet sausages. I love the traditional toppings of grilled onions and red peppers, but rather than use a bun, I like to split the sausage in half and toss the goods onto some fancy-schmancy artisan bread for a surprising sammie that tastes like Summer. I'm lucky enough to live near Rosamunde Sausage Grill, which sells a delicious chicken-cherry sausage, but I recommend any salty-sweet combination, such as chicken-apple sausage, for this recipe. To see how it's made, read more.

Grilled Gourmet Sausage Sandwich on Olive Bread
Original recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup thinly sliced yellow onion
1/4 of a red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 gourmet sausage, such as chicken-apple
2 slices artisan bread, such as olive bread
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions

Preheat the grill to medium.
On the grill, cook the sausage, turning occasionally, until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and place on a cutting surface. If desired, toss bread slices on the grill for a few minutes to toast.
Meanwhile, on the stove, heat the olive oil in a skillet over very low heat. Add onions and red peppers and cook slowly, for about 15 minutes, until onions are tender and brown.
Split the sausage in half lengthwise, so that it forms two thinner pieces of equal length.
Place the sausage split-side down on one slice of bread. On the other slice, spread mustard. Top sausage with peppers and onions, and place the second slice mustard-side down on top.

Makes 1 sandwich.

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Come Party With Me: Memorial Day - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:30:53 -0700

Picture this: your guests are wildly content after the most delicious meat and potato barbecue dinner. Just when they thought the night couldn't get any better, you, the beautiful hostess with the mostess, appear with a plate full of ice cream sandwiches! Not just any ice cream sandwich, but one that marries the classic crowd-pleasing chocolate chip cookie with creamy vanilla ice cream. Coated in mini chocolate chips, these sandwiches vanish before your eyes.

If that sounds like the perfect end to your Memorial Day celebration, get the recipe for the sandwiches and read more.

Mini Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Sandwiches
From Everyday Food

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in center.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add sour cream, egg, and vanilla; beat until smooth.
With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; mix in 1 cup chocolate chips.
Using 1 rounded tablespoon per cookie, drop mounds of dough, about 1 1/2 inches apart, onto two baking sheets. (You'll have 25 to 30 cookies.) Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Scatter remaining chocolate chips on a plate. Place about 2 tablespoons ice cream between 2 cookies, bottoms facing in; press gently. Roll the sides of each sandwich in chips. (If ice cream is melting, place sandwiches in freezer until firm enough to roll in chips.) Transfer sandwiches onto baking sheets.
Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours; then wrap individually in plastic. Freeze up to 2 weeks.

Makes 12 sandwiches.

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Chili Dogs Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:30:20 -0700

Corn dogs may not hit the spot for everyone, but how can one resist a warm, smoky chili dog, especially around Memorial Day? Gather up a group of your favorite friends and dress up some dogs. Throw together a 15-minute chili topping, or take the time to make your own chili and homemade coleslaw. You can choose either way when you read more.

Beginner Chili Dogs
From Tyler Florence

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 all beef hot dogs, about 1/2 pound
4 hot dog rolls
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar

Directions

Make the chili: Heat a skillet over medium flame and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil gets hazy, add the onion and cook, stirring, until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, and cook until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the ketchup, chili powder, and mustard; simmer for 15 minutes until thick; season with salt and pepper.
While the chili is cooking, place a large grill pan on 2 burners over medium-high heat or preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the hot dogs from sticking.
Parboil the dogs first before grilling: bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the hot dogs for about 5 minutes.
Remove from the water and grill the hot dogs just long enough to give them grill marks.
Brush the insides of the rolls with the remaining oil and place them face down on the grill until toasty. To serve, top each hot dog with the chili and some Cheddar cheese.

Serves 4.

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Expert Chili Dogs
From The Martha Stewart Show

Ingredients

Real-Deal Chili:
2 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces
1 onion, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped (1 1/2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds ground beef chuck
3 cups water
2 tablespoons fine cornmeal, or masa harina
1 1/2 tablespoons cider, or other vinegar
Classic Creamy Coleslaw:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 small green cabbage, (about 1 3/4 pounds), finely shredded
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks or coarsely grated
1 small onion, coarsely grated (optional)
For assemblage:
6 all-beef hot dogs
6 hot dog buns
Mustard, for serving
Chopped white onion, for serving

Directions

Make Real-Deal Chili: In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Add paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, pepper, and ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, and breaking up the meat with the side of the spoon, until the beef is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Stir in water, cornmeal, and vinegar, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid thickens, about 20 minutes. It may be necessary to add a little water to thin the chili.
Make Classic Creamy Coleslaw: Whisk together mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a small bowl. Refrigerate dressing, covered, until ready to use, or up to 2 days.
Put cabbage, carrots, and onion (if desired) in a large bowl. Pour in dressing, and toss thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, until slaw begins to soften, 1 to 2 hours. If not using immediately, refrigerate, covered, up to 2 days. Just before serving, toss coleslaw again.
Preheat griddle to medium heat. Fill a medium saucepan three-quarters full of water; bring to a boil. Add hot dogs, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until hot dogs are plump and heated through, about 6 minutes
Using tongs, transfer hot dogs to griddle. Open buns and place interior-side down on griddle. Cook hot dogs and buns until lightly browned.
Serve hot dogs in buns with mustard, coleslaw, chili, and onions.

Serves 6.

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Name That Dish!

partysugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:15:43 -0700

Although the dish pictured here is not on my Memorial Day barbecue menu, it would be a welcome addition. Do you know what it's called?

Come Party With Me: Memorial Day - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 09:00:12 -0700

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of Summer, so to celebrate, round up a group of friends and host a casual but cozy barbecue.

Begin the fun with fingerlicking good grilled clams and garlic butter. Next move on to an easy dinner menu of the American favorite - steak and potatoes - made sophisticated by the smoky flavor of the grill.

Mexican spice-rubbed steak with lime butter is an eye catching entree. Pair with crisp-charred sweet-hot fries and romaine, avocado, and corn salad. Take a look at the recipes to these backyard favorites when you read more.

Grilled Clams With Garlic Butter
From Food Network

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds littleneck clams, well scrubbed (about 24)
8 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, divided
4 large garlic cloves, minced (about 3 tablespoons)
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced chives
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat a grill over medium heat.
Scrub and rinse the clams. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a 1-quart saucepan over low heat until it is foamy. Add the garlic and saute, stirring, until it is fragrant but does not color, about 30 seconds.
Add the white wine and heavy cream, increase the heat to medium-high and reduce by half, about 8 minutes. Add the remaining butter 1 piece at a time, whisking constantly, until the sauce is shiny, emulsified, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the chives and season with salt and pepper. Keep the sauce warm until ready to serve.
Set up the littleneck clams on the grill. Cook the clams without turning them. As soon as the clams pop open, after 8 to 10 minutes, transfer them carefully with tongs to a platter (or plates) of rock salt. Use the tongs to pry off the top shells. Spoon 1 teaspoon sauce over each clam and serve immediately.

Serves 4-6.

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Mexican Spice-Rubbed Rib Eyes With Lime Butter
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle powder
Four 12-ounce, 1-inch thick, boneless rib eye steaks
Vegetable oil, for the grill

Directions

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic, lime zest, lime juice and a pinch of salt.
In another bowl, combine the paprika, cumin and chipotle powder with 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Rub the mixture all over the steaks.
Oil the grate and grill the steaks over moderately high heat, turning once, until slightly charred and medium-rare, about 12 minutes.
Transfer the steaks to plates and top with the lime butter. Let the steaks stand for 3 to 4 minutes before serving.

Serves 4.

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Sweet-Hot BBQ Tater Fries
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

2 pounds sweet potatoes or yams, peeled, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices, each slice cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide strips
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (packed) golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Additional olive oil

Directions

Prepare barbecue (medium heat).
Place potatoes in 13 x 9x 2-inch baking dish. Add 1/4 cup oil, chopped fresh rosemary, brown sugar, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to potatoes. Sprinkle potatoes with salt and pepper; toss to coat.
Brush grill lightly with oil. Place potatoes on grill, spacing about 1 inch apart. Grill until potatoes are tender and slightly charred, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes total.
Transfer potatoes to bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.

Serves 4-6.

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Romaine, Avocado, and Corn Salad
From Everyday Food

Ingredients

1/2 head romaine lettuce, cut into 1/2-inch strips
2 cups corn kernels
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

In a bowl combine the romaine, corn, and cherry tomatoes.
Add 3/4 cup of avocado.
Place the remaining avocado in a blender along with 1/3 cup water, lime juice, and chili powder; season with salt and pepper.
Pour dressing over the salad; toss gently.

Serves 4.

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