We've been bar-b-queing ourselves crazy!
Here are a few of the coolest side dishes I've tried.Caramelized Onion Tart
Top puff pastry with caramelized onions (I used Vidalia) and halved kalamata olives. Bake at 400 until golden and top with fresh rosemary. As easy as that!
Layered Cobb Salad
In a pretty glass bowl, layer crisp lettuce layers with everything you love - bottom to top. I do layers of grape tomatoes, carrots, corn, sliced mushrooms, red onion, cubed cheeses, hardboiled egg, turkey and avocado. Top with blue cheese crumbles, crispy crumbled bacon and sunflower seeds. It's so colorful!
Basic Sangria
1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1 Lemon cut into wedges
1 Orange cut into wedges
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Shot brandy
2 Cups sparkling water or club soda
Chunky Summer Salsa
I love everything in my salsa!
2 tomatoes, 1-2 jalapeno peppers, diced bell pepper, chopped green onion, diced, red onion, cilantro, chopped avocado, black beans, corn, salt to taste
Crostini
Just bake up a nice baguette, brushed with olive oil and garlic. Spread with goat cheese and top with a mixture that has been mixed and marinated for an hour: diced tomato, chopped red onion, fresh basil, olive oil, basalmic vinegar, salt and pepper.
Blueberry Cheesecake Pops
This one took a bit of work, but they were a big hit on the Fourth!
The blue mixture:
about a cup of fresh blueberries
1 Tbs. cornstarch
squeeze lemon juice
heated in a saucepan until thick and juicy. Cool and layer into icecube trays.
Once the blueberry mixture is mostly frozen in trays, top with cheesecake mixture:
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups blueberries
Add popsicle sticks!
The last layer is graham cracker crumbs and melted butter.
Freeze about 3 hours or until they POP easily out!
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