Tag Archives: BBQ

What to do with ALL that Basil….Simple Basil Recipes!!!

Posted in Appetizers, Cocktails, Entertaining, Recipes, Recipes Great for Warm Weather by
Basil Hummus

Basil Hummus

Basil Pesto

Basil Pesto…Delicious on almost everything!

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Strawberry & Basil Margarita

Tomato-Basil-Chicken

Tomato & Basil Chicken

basil

Basil

Basil & Tomato Chicken…serves 4-6, prep time 15 minutes, cook time 15 minutes

  • 1 1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 6 fillets
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 lb cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tbsp dried oregano…Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grease a medium sized non-stick skillet with cooking spray or olive oil and set over medium high heat
  • Season both sides of chicken with salt, pepper & oregano and cook about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until chicken is almost entirely cooked through
  • Turn the heat down to medium & add the tomatoes and garlic. Cook for about 4-5 minutes
  • Add basil & butter, and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste
  • Turn heat to low and let sit for about 5 more minutes

Basil Hummus Prep time: 15 minutes ,Cook time: 5 minutes, Makes about 3 cups

  • 2 cups sweet basil leaves, packed
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed then minced
  • 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Up to 1/4 cup water
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts optional
  • Place the basil and the garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
  • Add the garbanzo beans, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, tomato paste, and pulse until the hummus is smooth
  • If using pine nuts heat in a pan with olive oil until brown & mix into hummus save a few for the topping
  • Add more salt or lemon juice to taste. Add water to the point of desired consistency.
  • To serve, place in a bowl and drizzle a little olive oil over it.
  • Serve with pita wedges, crackers, or rustic bread.

Strawberry Basil Margarita… makes 1 pitcher/8 servings recipe from thekitchn.com

  • 10 strawberries
  • 8 basil leaves
  • 1 can (12 ounces) frozen limeade concentrate
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups tequila (gold or silver)
  • Empty the limeade concentrate into a pitcher. Add 2 1/2 cups of water & 2 1/2 cups of tequila mix together
  • Slice the strawberries lengthwise, and add to the pitcher.
  • Cut the basil into small pcs and add to the pitcher
  • Place the pitcher, covered, in the fridge overnight, or for at least four hours
Easy Basil Pesto (1 cup)

Pesto is delicious as a topping for bruschetta, pasta, shrimp, chicken, steak, vegetables & in sandwiches

  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic 
  • 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional) walnuts can also be used
  • Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
  • Add the oil and mix until smooth
  • Mix in the cheese
  • Season with salt & pepper
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Delicious & Easy Peach Recipes & Cocktails…One of Summer’s Sweetest Fruits!

Posted in BBQ, Entertaining, Recipes, Recipes Great for Warm Weather by
Bellini

Bellini

Grilled Peaches with Honey

Grilled Peaches with Honey

Grilled Peaches with Ricotta and Balsamic Glaze

Grilled Peaches with Ricotta and Balsamic Glaze

Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler

Peach Sangria

Peach Sangria

Farm Stand Peaches

Peaches are one of summer’s most tastiest fruits they also make delicious cocktails!

White Peach Sangria
 Servings: 6 Servings
Ingredients:

  • 1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine, medium sweetness (don’t use $$ wine-lower priced wines work great)
  • 3/4 cup peach flavored vodka (optional-the drink is good with just the wine)
  • 3/4 cup peach schnapps
  • 6 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 3-4 medium sized peaches pitted and sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups of colorful fruit (any fruit works, berries work great)
  • In a large pitcher, combine dry white wine, peach vodka, schnapps, lemonade concentrate. Stir until frozen lemonade is melted. Add sliced peaches and other fruits.
  • Refrigerate sangria until well chilled, at least 2 hours, or overnight to blend flavors. Serve over ice, and use a slotted spoon to include fruit with each serving.

Bellini…Move over Mimosa and try this delicious and very easy drink instead.

  • Champagne or Prosecco
  • Top off with Peach juice

Peach Cobbler- One of the easiest recipes we tried

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups sugar, divided
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 cups fresh peach slices
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
Directions:
  • Melt butter in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
  • Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and milk. Stir until moistened then pour into baking dish (do not stir)
  • Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peaches, lemon juice to a boil over high heat. Stir constantly. Pour into baking dish (do not stir) can sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
  • Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
  • We suggest serving this warm with ice cream however it tastes great at room temperature

Grilled Peaches…you can eat them straight off the grill or top them off with something yummy

  • Cut Peaches in half & remove pits
  • Brush cut side of peach halves with olive oil and place on grill, cut side down.
  • Grill until golden brown and caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Turn peach halves over and grill until slightly soft and just warmed through, about 2 minutes longer.
    Remove from grill and eat as is or top it off with something delicious… below are some great suggestions…
  • Drizzle peaches with honey or agave and top off with fresh berries, ice cream, vanilla yogurt or whipped cream
  • Drizzle with balsamic glaze (available at Trader Joe’s) and Ricotta Cheese, garnish with mint
  • These are also great chopped up and tossed into a salad

Enjoy!!

Simple & Delicious Meal Paired with White Wine

Posted in Appetizers, Cheese Plate, Entertaining, Recipes, Recipes Great for Warm Weather, Vegetables by

The Perfect Cheese Plate with our favorite Chardonnay (Grgich Hills Estate)

Lobster always delicious with Chardonnay

zucchini

Zucchini wrapped with Prosciutto & Parmesan Cheese

potato asparagus

Baked Potato Bites

On a recent trip to Cape Cod we prepared a meal around a delicious bottle of Chardonnay…Pick your favorite bottle & enjoy! we love Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay (from Napa Valley).

Cheese that Pairs well with White Wine….

  • A “Fresh Cheese” such as Goat Cheese
  • A “Funky or Smelly Cheese” such a Blue Cheese
  • A “Creamy Cheese” such as Brie, St. Andre or Tallegio
  • Meat…add at least one …Prosciutto, Sausage or Salami
  • Fruit, fresh fruit or dried fruit (both work) lets face it no one seems to eat it but it looks pretty
  • Nuts, we love Marcona Almonds from Spain

Lobster…you can buy them already steamed but if you want to do it yourself read below

Lobster is great with potatoes (baked or boiled) & vegetables (corn is usually served but asparagus, zucchini or a nice salad is also delicious).

  • Choose a pot that is large enough for them (you don’t want to crowd them)
  • Bring 2 inches of salted water to a rapid boil in a pot with a steaming basket
  • Place Lobsters into pot & cover
  • Shake or Stir the Lobsters occasionally
  • a 2 pound Lobster should be ready in roughly 15-18 minutes, a 3/4-1 pound lobster in 10 minutes (the shell should be bright red)
  • Remove Lobsters and set aside for a few minutes to cool before cracking them
  • Serve with melted butter (don’t skimp on the butter it’s my favorite part)

Baked Potato Bites (from Cookthestory.com) serves 6-8

  • Preheat oven to 450
  • 9-10 small yellow Potatoes, cut in half
  • 2 tsp olive oil, salt and pepper
  • 1 slice of Bacon
  • 6 spears of Asparagus (trimmed)
  • 4 1/2 tsp sour cream
  • mix Potatoes with 1tsp olive oil & place in baking dish cut side up ( cooks in 15-20 minutes)
  • place 1 slice of bacon in pan to cook at same time (a thin slice of bacon should cook faster then potatoes- take out when crisp, roughly 10 minutes)
  • Asparagus, mix with remaining Olive oil salt & pepper & place in pan should cook in 4-7 minutes
  • You can cook everything in the same dish and take out items as ready
  • let everything cool (these can be served at room temperature)
  • place Sour Cream on Potato, then chopped Bacon, then Asparagus & enjoy
  • If you prefer to serve these straight out of the oven substitute sour cream for cheese (your choice but cheddar is always good and comes shredded)

Zucchini wrapped with Prosciutto & Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese (serves 6-8)

  • 4 Zucchini-sliced length wise
  • 1/2 pound Prosciutto (We use San Danielle but any type can be used)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Olive oil, salt & pepper
  • Preheat oven to 400
  • In fry pan saute zucchini with olive oil until tender (about 6 minutes) remove & let it cool enough so you can touch it
  • Wrap Prosciutto around Zucchini & place in baking dish
  • Sprinkle Zucchini with Cheese, salt & pepper
  • bake for 10-15 minutes, serve warm

Enjoy!

Easy and Delicious Summer Cocktails!

Posted in BBQ, Cocktails, Entertaining, Recipes, Recipes Great for Warm Weather by
Margarita

Margarita (without a mix)

Pink Lemonade

“Spiked” Pink Lemonade

Drink from blue moon

The Blue Moon Hot Rod

pimms

Pimm’s Cup with Lemonade

Summer Cocktails! (the recipes are all for 1 serving) A regular size shot glass should be 1-1.5oz

Pimm’s Cup with Lemonade (Drink like the Brit’s with this refreshing Pimm’s Cup)

  • 1.5-2 oz Pimm’s No 1
  • 3.5-4 oz lemonade (yellow lemonade is best)
  • 1 slice of each: Orange, Cucumber
  • 1 Strawberry
  • Mint leaf to garnish
  • Fill a tall glass with ice, Pimm’s and Lemonade
  • Add 1 Orange slice, 1 Cucumber, 1 Strawberry & garnish with Mint
  • Feel free to add more of the fruit & cucumber (it looks pretty and will add flavor)

Margarita (without the Mix…)Simple & Delicious 

  • 1/4 cup Tequila
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon Triple Sec
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon Lime Juice (fresh is best but still good with store bought Lime Juice)
  • Agave to sweeten (optional) we prefer it with the agave
  • Mix in a shaker with Ice
  • Garnish with a Lime wedge & enjoy

“Spiked” Pink Lemonade (very easy and always a hit)

  • 1 oz Vodka (if you like a “strong” drink add a bit more Vodka)
  • 2 oz Lemonade (Pink or Yellow Lemonade)
  • 3 oz Sprite or 7-up
  • Mix with Ice & Serve in glass with Lime Wedge or Mint if you have it

“Blue Moon” Hot Rod…How they do it in East Quogue

  • 1oz Tequila (traditionally Gin is used. Drink would be good with Gin or Vodka)
  • Fresh Watermelon Puree (can substitute 1oz Cranberry & 1oz Pineapple Juice for an easier recipe)
  • Agave-just a squirt of agave to sweeten the drink (optional)
  • Mix with Ice & serve in glass with Lime wedgedrinks blue moon

Easy BBQ Recipes: Grilled Corn with a twist & Delicious Grilled Vegetables

Posted in BBQ, Recipes, Vegetables by

Recipes: Serves @ 6 (we suggest fresh herbs but if you are feeling lazy or tight on time hit your spice rack)

Grilled Corn Toppings! (you can cook the corn in a pot as usual if you don’t want to grill it and STILL use these delicious toppings!

To Grill corn leave on BBQ medium to high heat for about 15 minutes until tender.

  • Truffle Oil, Garlic and Parmesan Corn:
  • Combine 2 garlic cloves (grated or finely chopped)
  • 2 table spoons olive oil
  • 1 table spoon lemon juice
  • Combine the above in a bowl and baste corn the last 15 minutes of grilling. (if not grilling pour on corn when cooked)
  • 3 table spoons white truffle oil
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
  • When corn is ready sprinkle with Truffle oil and cheese and enjoy
  • Classic Herbed Butter Corn
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped sage
  • 1/4 teasppon sea salt or kosher salt
  • combine the above in bowl and pour over corn when finished cooking.
  • Barbecue Glazed Corn
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 3 tablespoon finely chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
  • combine in bowl and baste corn the last 3 minutes of grilling (or pour over corn when finished)
  • Grilled Mixed Vegetables-Veggies even the guys will like!
  • 3 Red Bell Peppers-seeded and halved (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 3 Yellow or Green Squash-sliced length wise (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 3 Eggplant sliced length wise (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 12 Cremini Mushrooms (cooks in 8-10 minutes)
  • 1 Bunch Asparagus (cooks in 4 minutes)
  • 12 Green Onions (cooks in 4 minutes)
  • Brush the Veggies with 1/4 cup Olive Oil and salt/Pepper to taste before grilling
  • The vegetables taste great as is but if you want to add a dressing here are some good ones below!

Dressing (pour on after Vegetables are grilled)

  • 3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
  • 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 1 Teaspoon Parsley Finely Chopped
  • 1 Teaspoon Basil Finely Chopped
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Rosemary Finely Chopped

Easier Dressing Options:

  • Use your favorite store bought dressing (place in a pretty bowl or dispenser)
  • Tzaziki Yogurt Dip (store bought placed in a bowl)
  • Pesto sauce or Olive Dip (store bought placed in a bowl)

Enjoy!

Easy and Chic BBQ Recipes and Set Up

Posted in BBQ, Recipes by
Easy BBQ Recipes and Set Up

Easy BBQ Recipes and Set Up

BBQ2 BBQ3 BBQ4

Easy Watermelon Salad

Easy Watermelon Salad

Easy Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Easy Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Easy and Chic BBQ Set Up & Recipes

Not every BBQ has to be on paper and plastic.  When hosting a small group it is easy to make a BBQ chic and special.  Use table clothes, napkins, silverware, glasses,plates, a beverage bucket, and fresh flowers.

Here are 2 of our favorite recipes that we served  at a BBQ this Sunday, and our guests loved them:

Watermelon and Feta Salad

for 6-8 people

1 6-8 lb seedless watermelon cut into bite-size chunks

2 Cups Crumbled Feta

1 cup chopped mint

Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil (about 3 Tbsp.)

Season with Salt

Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

for 6-8 people, serve about 6 oz per person

2 1/2 – 3 lbs skirt steak

salt and pepper to taste

Allow the skirt steak to come to room temperature before grilling.  Heat grill.  Season steak with salt and pepper. Grill about 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare.  Remove from grill and let the steak rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before slicing.

Chimichurri Sauce

2 cups parsley

1 cup cilantro

4 cloves garlic

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Optional: crushed red pepper or jalepeno to taste

Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend together