In honor of the unofficial beginning of the grill season, I’ve compiled a list of amazing grill-inspired recipes. Whether you’re looking for healthy steak rub, a sauce to spice up any grilled meat, the perfect portable cookie or a signature drink to serve the masses, there’s something for everyone in this Hip Hostess grill-inspired recipe roundup.
Since the heat wave moved in I haven’t been able to turn on my oven. As a result, I have gotten creative with my no-cook recipes. A caprese salad is one of my favorites this time of year, when the tomatoes and basil are at their best. But instead of tomatoes, I substitute cantaloupe and made a delicious hip twist on this Italian classic. Serve this combo as a salad or on mini skewers for a party (or kids). This is a savory recipe – think of it like a vegetarian version of cantaloupe and prosciutto, another delicious sweet-salty combo.
Seed and cut one ripe cantaloupe into chunks or round balls (with a mellon baller). Use one container of Bocconcini (mini Mozzarella balls) and a small bunch of fresh basil. Layer cantaloupe, Bocconcini and basil on skewers and repeat until the skewers are full, leaving an inch or so at the end. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Instead of skewers, make a salad using the same ingredients and tossing until combined. Serve with a nice glass of white wine or prosecco and enjoy!
Host a garden party with ideas from my July 2010 column on The Family Groove.
http://www.thefamilygroove.com/jul10_EntertainingOnTheEasy.htm
Don’t let the rain ruin your plans for a Father’s Day cookout. You can still throw your favorite father a BBQ in his honor – just shift gears from a cookout to a “cook-in.” Here’s a menu that you can make on the grill or in a grill pan.
https://hiphostess.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/coffee-chili-steak-rub/
https://hiphostess.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/espresso-chocolate-chunk-cookies/
A fiesta makes for a great summer theme party. A south-of-the border menu lends itself to some simple, no-cook recipes and delicious frozen drinks. I used the menu below for a summer fiesta theme party I threw on my roof-top. The menu was based on fresh, local ingredients that are at their prime this time of year. Check back over the next few days for posts with recipes and pictures.
Fiesta Menu
Appetizers
Warm Peach Salsa & Goat Cheese Dip with Cumin Dusted Pita Chips
Texas Caviar (Bean) Dip with Fresh Sliced Vegetables
Tortilla Chips with Salsa Fresca, Chipotle Salsa & Avocado Dip
Sweet Potato Fries with Avocado Dipping Sauce
Main Event
Black Bean Enchiladas
Organic Beef Taco Bar (warm corn tortillas, beef taco filling, shredded chipotle cheddar cheese, sour cream, salsa fresca & guacamole)
Chipotle-Citrus Slaw
Dessert
Margarita Key Lime Pie with Toasted Almond & Graham Cracker Crust
Mellon Ball Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
Mexican Chocolate Brownies
Drinks
Mexican Beer (Corona, Negra Modelo)
Frozen New Jersey Peach Margaritas
Favors
Sweet and Spicy Toasted Pepitas
The Hip Hostess 