Summer feast for you and some guests

Summer BBQ Feast for you and some guests

As most of you know I love BBQ, heck I just love being outdoors especially this time of year. Even when we cook in house we still go out side to eat, unless it's raining of course. The feel of the warm sun , the singing birds and even the buzzing bugs eyeing up our food, I love it all. When you get a whiff of someone's grilling from down the road doesn't it make your mouth water, well now you can make the neighbours jealous with this great BBQ menu, make it for guests they'll love it.

So lets begin, appetizers, yum...

Yummy Savoury Bread

1 fresh bread loaf, from bakery, Vienna loaf works well

½ cup shredded cheddar

2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

1 green onion, finely chopped

2 slices of bacon

Salt and pepper

In top of loaf cut diagonal slits from both sides creating a criss cross pattern(diamond pattern), make about ½ inch deep. Place bread on foil lined baking pan, combine the rest of the ingredients in separate bowl. Sprinkle over the top of loaf, Bake in preheated oven at 350 F for 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted and the bacon crisps.

Serves 6-8

*It doesn't really need butter but if you feel into it, make some herb butter

Herb Butter

½ cup butter softened mixed with 1 tsp finely chopped green onion, 2 tsp. fresh finely chopped parsley,1 tbsp. of chopped chives, combine with butter and mix well or beat until smooth. Place in container or roll in log shaped in plastic wrap, place in fridge till ready to serve.

Great for cooking, crackers or bread rolls.

So what's for dinner, or lunch??? How about tangy beef ribs with apricot sweet potatoes and snow pea salad, or your favourite salad.

Tangy Beef Ribs

3 lbs beef short ribs

2/3 cup ketchup

3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp chilli powder

1-2 cloves of garlic crushed

Chop ribs into individual serving pieced (If not already cut). Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Boil ribs for 8-10 minutes, then drain. In separate bowl combine rest of the ingredients, add ribs to sauce, cover and marinate in fridge for several hours or even over night. Make sure BBQ is very hot before cooking, heat for a hour before is best. Cook ribs on lightly greased BBQ grill for 10-15 minutes, brush frequently with left over sauce, cook until ribs are well browned and cooked through.

Serves 6

Apricot Sweet Potatoes

2 -3 lbs baked, peeled sweet potato, cut in half lengthwise

14 oz can apricots, drained (reserve syrup)

½ cup brown sugar, packed

1 tbsp cornstarch

Pinch of cinnamon

1 tsp lemon Juice

Reserved syrup with water to make 1 cup

¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)

Arrange sweet potato half, cut side up, in large pan for oven or Lined with foil for BBQ. Arrange apricots on top, mix the rest of the ingredients minus the pecans in sauce pan. Heat and stir until boils and thickens, pour over sweet potatoes and apricots. Sprinkle with pecans (optional), bake uncovered in oven at 350 F for 30 minutes or on BBQ med heat 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serves 6

*try using canned peaches instead of apricots....yum-mee

Sweet pea salad

5 oz fresh snow peas, trimed and cut in half

2 med carrots, peel and cut into matchstick slices

16 oz can bay corn drained, or 2 ½ cups fresh/frozen

8 oz can bamboo shoots, About 1 cup fresh/frozen

Dressing...

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

¼ cup vegetable oil

Place sweet pea in a heat proof bowl, cover with boiling water, let sit for 1 minute. Place in cold water with ice to cool, drain and dry. Combine with carrots, corn and bamboo. Make dressing in separate bowl mixing well, pour over when ready to serve.

Serves 6-8

*add veg with cooked white rice for a warm salad, heat in foil on BBQ with herbed butter or dress with dressing when ready to serve.

Dessert.....How about some Barbecued Apples with vanilla ice cream

BBQ Apples

5-7 large apples, use your favourite, peeled, cored and sliced

½ cup brown sugar

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tsp lemon juice

1 ½ tsp cinnamon

1 tsp butter/margarine

¼ cup raisins (optional)

Mix all ingredients together, place in 9 inch foil pie plate, cover with foil cook of med heated BBQ for 20- 30 minutes or until apples are cooked through. Remove let cool slightly, serve over vanilla ice cream, angle food cake or with whipping cream.

*if you have any left over use for your morning pancakes or waffles, or mix with warm oatmeal...yum-mee

There you have it a great summer menu for you and some guests, try out these yummy meals together or seperatly, your neighbours will be so jealous...Happy barbecuing...