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8 Creative Sides For a Late-Spring BBQ

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:39 PDT

It's still technically Spring, but given how April showers have quickly passed into sunny May days, now's the perfect time to head to the outdoors and fire up the grates for a pre-Summer cookout.

You could go for the classic sides - or just grab bags of your favorite chips - but putting in some extra effort won't go unnoticed by all your guests who are looking forward to what you'll be heating up on the grill! Click through to check out eight less-conventional sides that will have everyone impressed.

5 Gadgets You Need For Labor Day Weekend

GeekSugar — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 11:02:22 PDT

Marking the first appropriate holiday weekend to spend three sleeveless days outdoors, the long Labor Day weekend is sure to be your last hurrah full of sun, fun, and grilled goodies. If you're planning an outdoor cookout, or intend to spend the entire weekend by the pool, you'll need these gadgets to keep you entertained.

This Summer, Go Tropical With Hot Dogs

Susannah Chen — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:45:26 PDT

I'm no Joey Chestnut, however the warm Summer weather has left me a little crazy for hot dogs. My favorite frank to eat is one that's been dressed up, Chicago-style, but since the authentic specialty toppings aren't always easy to obtain on the West Coast, I went a different route this past weekend.

This tropical topping doesn't contain any of the same ingredients, yet it nonetheless achieves a similarly sweet, salty, sour, and spicy quality. Use all-natural hot dogs and buns, and you've got yourself a far less processed version of the ballpark hot dog. The best part? It takes minutes to make. For the ridiculously easy recipe, read more.

Just Grill It! 6 Unexpected Foods to Throw on the 'Cue

Susannah Chen — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:18:12 PDT

Although Summer's prime hot dog season, don't forget that the 'cue isn't just limited to hamburgers and red meat. In fact, one can cook just about anything over a flame. As Food Network host Ellie Krieger once told us, "So many more things work on the grill than people realize!"

After seeing Steve Raichlen's recipe for grilled ice cream balls, we're convinced that literally anything is possible over those iron grates, and we're not just talking about contemporary favorites like bruschetta or grilled pizza. Six food items that are bound to make you a more adventurous grillmaster, when you keep reading.

6 Fruit-Full Recipes For Summer BBQ Bliss

YumSugar — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:02:08 PDT

Want to mix it up for your next BBQ? Try these recipes that feature fruit as a key player. The unexpected combination of smoky and sweet is sure to be a big hit!

Blueberry-Glazed Ribs	Grilled Fruit Kebabs	Citrus Chicken Under a Brick
Chicken Smothered in Raspberry BBQ	Grilled Lamb With Blackberry Relish	Spice-Rubbed Ribs in Cherry-Zinfandel BBQ

Guy Fieri Nation Expands to Include Barbecue Sauces and Salsa

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:35:34 PST

With a gaggle of TV shows, books, restaurants, and endorsements under his belt, it's hard to imagine what else could be on the horizon for Guy Fieri. But at this week's Winter Fancy Foods Show, we managed to find out. The man himself was there to launch his first-ever line of supermarket condiments. While we didn't spot him in person, we did get to check out his barbecue sauces and salsas.

Fieri's salsas come in four flavors (Original Salsa, Salsa Verde, Chipotle Salsa, and 4 Pepper), as do his sauces, which are available in Kansas City, Bourbon Brown Sugar, Pacific Rim, and Carolina #6. We enjoyed the original and salsa verde salsas and the classic Kansas City barbecue sauce.

Whether we like it or not, it's only a matter of time before Guy's shaded, sun-bleached visage takes over the country, one mass-produced bottle at a time.

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Meatless Monday: Vegetables and Halloumi

Susannah Chen — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:05:51 PST

As a 2011 culinary New Year's resolution, we here at YumSugar have been all about eating more meatless meals; they're not only better for our wallets and our health but also have less of an impact on the environment.

Not ready to commit to vegetarianism full-time? You can still make your mark by partaking in meat-free Mondays or vowing to eat less meat. One of my favorite fast and easy dinners is this hearty meal of grilled halloumi cheese and vegetables, topped simply with a sprinkling of cumin and a squeeze of lemon for a blast of exotic flavor.

If it's too cold outside to grill, you can easily adapt the recipe by oven-roasting the cheese and vegetables. Halloumi is a Cyprus cheese that is easily fried or grilled; if you can't track it down, substitute paneer instead. Go veggie for one night when you read more.

Berry Tempting: Chicken Smothered in Raspberry BBQ Sauce

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:00:57 PDT

I have already declared my love for pork and berry recipes, and now I have to add chicken smothered in raspberry BBQ sauce to the top of my berry tempting list. Initially, I thought my recipe experiment had failed, since vinegar and lime juice made the simmered sauce a touch too tangy. Rather than add more to it, I left it overnight in the fridge, and thankfully the sweetness from the berries finally came through. Coating each side of the chicken with sauce as it cooked did get my grill a little messy, but the sugar from the raspberries and onions caramelized for an even more delectable and crispy skin. Don't say goodbye to Summer just yet; try this new take on barbecue sauce by reading more.

Sunday Dinner: Grilled Fish Sandwiches With Cabbage Slaw

YumSugar — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:00:14 PDT

Already, I'm pining for the fish sandwiches that I enjoyed on my culinary tour of Maui. That's why, for dinner tonight, I'm going to re-create this casual, kid-friendly meal in the comfort of my own home.

Don't be intimidated by the idea of throwing a delicate protein like fish on the grill. Just opt for a firm-fleshed species, like striped bass, being sure to dry it completely before putting it on the grill. Once it's cooking, leave the fish alone to do its thing; flip it and remove it from heat using the thinnest, widest spatula possible.

To make this meal a shore thing tonight, read more.

Berry Tempting: Blackberry Brie Panini

YumSugar — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:00:01 PDT

During our berry tempting month of blueberries, I was obsessed with the versatility of blueberry sauce. Similarly, with an abundance of blackberries, I simply couldn't resist making a pared-down version of blackberry jam. Never one to pass up a solid salty-sweet combo, I used the ripe flavor of blackberries as a plummy counterpoint to salumi, melted cheese, and mustard. The end result is everything one could want in a sandwich; the portable meal is salty, porky, creamy, toasty, and fruity all at the same time. Click ahead for the recipe.