Memorial Day BBQ

We will be having friends over for a barbecue this Memorial Day, and I like to keep things easy and do as much as possible ahead of time so I can relax and enjoy my own party. I will begin with a few appetizers:

Triple Creme Brie with Fig Jam

Pair your favorite rich creamy, buttery brie such as Metropoliain 70% triple creme or Fromage D'affinois topped with fig jam. I love Dalmatia  brand. (If you don't have fig jam try a drizzle of honey or another jam such as apricot) Serve with some gourmet crackers such as rosemary raisin crisps (Leslie Stowe Rainforest crisps or I found less expensive  but just as tasty brand at Trader Joes), or my favorite Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Oil Tortas Imported from Seville Spain. These slightly sweet wafers are crispy, flaky and delicious - little pricy but I promise you worth the expense. I found them at Whole Foods next to the cheese counter, but I have seen them in other grocery stores  and in specialty foods markets They also come in other flavors. Remember to bring your cheeses to room temperature at least an hour or two before serving

Veggies and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Assorted cut up veggies

1 can rinsed and drained garbanzo beans (organic preferred or Goya brand)

2 cloves garlic

2 strips of roasted peppers (home roasted or jarred work fine)

1 Tbs tahini  (optional)

1/2 lemon juiced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (more if you want it thinner)

1 tsp salt or to taste

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper or to taste

1 Tbs chopped parsley (optional)

Sprinkle of cumin powder

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Can be done up to 3-4 days ahead. Instead of roasted peppers, you can try adding in fresh cilantro, chipoltle chili sauce, basil, or sundried tomatoes. You can also substitute white or black beans instead of garbanzo for a change.

For my main course I'm serving old time favorites BBQ Chicken, Burgers, Hot Dogs, some Vegetarian options and side dishes all with unique and tasty twists.

BBQ chicken with Pineapple Guava Line Glaze

2-3 lbs assorted chicken parts, boneless skinless and skin on breasts, thighs 

1 jar 16.4 oz Guava jelly (Goya brand)

3/4 cup pineapple juice

1 lime, juiced

1tbs lime zest

1 tsp garlic powder

1/8tsp fresh ground pepper/pinch of cayenne pepper (more if you want it spicier)

In a sauce pan over medium high heat combine the guava jelly, pineapple juice, lime juice, lime zest, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Let the mixture come to a boil for about a minute then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook  until the liquid is reduced almost by half 5-7  minutes. Let cool slightly and if not using right away, pour into a glass container and keep in the refrigerator. This can be made up to a week ahead.

Reheat over stove top or in microwave (40 seconds) to thin out before pouring, as this will have congealed into a jam-like consistency. This glaze is also delicious over steak, pork, ribs ,fish, tofu, Quorn cutlets or even sweet potatoes.

Chimichurri Burgers

For an added kick to your favorite burger, either mix the chimichurri into your meat before forming your patties or use as a condiment on top.

1-2 lbs good quality ground beef (I'm so lucky! The ground beef from the Amish meat stand at the Newtown, PA farmers market is simply the best I've ever tasted. it's local, freshground and antibiotic/hormone-free)

1/4 cup chimichurri sauce for the entire amount of ground beef or approximately 1tsp per burger patty

Chimichurri Sauce

2 cups flat leaf parley *organic preferred

11/4 cups  fresh  oregano * organic

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1-2Tbs red wine vinegar (use 2 if you like it with a more tangy flavor)

1tsp salt

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender process until smooth.

This can be made 3-4 days ahead and stored in a glass container in the refrigerator. This sauce is also delicious on steak, chicken, tofu, or vegetables. It is especially good slathered on corn on the cob or in roasted or sauteed corn nibblets Try adding a bit to some mayonaise for a kicked up dip.

Serve your burgers with  your favorite fixins such as some sweet Vidalia onion slices, fresh ripe tomato, cheese, or turkey bacon.

Super Short Cut Chili-Dog

1 package of your favorite beef, turkey, chicken or veggie/tofu hot dog

1 can turkey or veggie chili warmed (I tried Trader Joe's canned Turkey chili)

Cheese or soy cheese slices (optiona)

Good soft Potato or Challah hot dog buns

Your favorite fixin's such as:

1 small  or 1/2  medium sweet onion such as Vidalia, diced

Pickle relish

Mustard and/or Ketchup

Grill your hot dogs and place in bun. Top with the warmed chili, cheese if using, and fixin's.

While I usually don't eat beef hot dogs anymore I splurged last night and had a Hebrew National 97% fat free dog with all the fixins and was in heaven - yum!  It tasted like a much better quality chili dog than I used to get from Stewarts Drive-In (an East coast chain). Although I only indulged in a hot dog there a few times a year, it seems to have sadly gone downhill in quality lately.

Smokey Maple Bourbon Baked Beans

A short cut way to add a kick to your favorite canned baked beans

For a crowd:

2 large 28 oz cans of your favorite brand of baked beans (Vegetarian if desired)

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3-4 strips of turkey bacon (or for the vegetarians use your favorite soy bacon) diced

1 1/2 Tbs  yellow or Dijon mustard

2-3 Tbs good quality maple syrup (more if you like your beans sweeter)

1/4 cup bourbon (you can also use rum or whiskey or leave out the alcohol altogether)

1-2 Tbs canola or olive oil

1/2-1 tsp liquid smoke (more if you want them really smokey)

pinch of ground allspice (optional)

pinch of salt or to taste

Few grates of fresh ground pepper or to taste

In a saucepan over medium high, heat the oil and add the onions. Saute 2-3 minutes . Add the garlic and turkey bacon and saute additional 3-4 minutes. Add the beans, mustard, maple syrup, bourbon, liquid smoke, allspice, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes  (although the beans could be eaten after 2-3 minutes, the longer cook time will develop the flavors). Beans can be done 2-3 days ahead and kept in the refrigerator and warmed before serving.

Roasted corn with chipotle lime butter

Dessert  

Do ahead and keep it simple! Make my brown butter brownies ahead and freeze - defrost 1 day before serving.

Try my Key Lime low fat cheesecake with ginger snap crust from a previous post

Buttery coconut and jam cookies

Purchase a pound cake or Bundt cake (Whole Foods makes delicious all natural cakes) slice and top with fresh berries and either homemade vanilla whipped cream or low fat vanilla Greek yogurt. Or if you want to get fancy, layer the cake slices, berries, and whipped cream or yogurt into a trifle glass.

Make a big fruit salad using  blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries drizzled with agave syrup and fresh squeezed lemon juice and mint leaves topped with a dollop of whipped cream, vegan whipped topping or yogurt* see recipe in past blog posting

Or Ask your friends to bring the dessert!

Drinks

Try my fresh watermelon mint or mango margaritas from previous blog post

A big pitcher of Sangria is always refreshing - White Sangria is especially nice

Sparkling white wines and Proseco are delicious. For a treat, add in a few fresh raspberries or a shot of passion fruit or mango nectar.

Non Alcoholic choices: Herbal iced tea infused with fruit juice or sparkling water with mango nectar, and lime or pomegranate juice. Or try all natural sodas such as Fizzie Lizzie or Boylans Rootbeer.

I will share more wine and beer tips and tastings in my next post 

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!