Vegan Barbecues

Vegan and barbecue somehow don't go together in the same sentence yet that's not true. Even meat free eaters can enjoy every summer treat a meat lover can. It's easy. To sum it up in one word tofu. There are so many tofu products right now that any vegetarian could have a better barbecue than any carnivore right now.



Luckily the variety of veggie burgers has increased over the last decade. Years ago they only came in one tasteless flavor. Now the patties taste like actual patties and have extras such as salsa , basil, black bean, tomato and even soy cheddar cheese thrown in.Some even have an already grilled taste. Add some ketchup, onions and tomato and you have a regular burger. Even better is that you can fools guests into thinking they're eating Angus beef when in fact they're gobbling down the very healthy good for them soy.



Not to be out done but some companies like the truly vegan Morning Star Farms have hot dogs too. Put these on the grill and they taste like Nathan's real beef kind. Granted they're not as juicy but the texture isn't bad and the ends do get nice and crispy if you split them. There are also ribs and chicken patties for variation along with Morning Star's newest creation the turkey burger. All of these are great for the barbecue and would make for tasty filling meals.



Yes , vegans can have a great time barbecuing. It's easy thanks to the wide array of soy products out there. In fact they might even convert a few carnivores during a grilling spree.

July Means Grilling Time!!!

Now that it's July , it's time to get the grill all ready and fired up for some delicious meals ahead. Again yesterday's New York Times Dining section had an excellent article written by of course, Mark Bittman, about grilling and recipes ideas. Remember grilling is not just burgers and dogs . It's everything from peppers to pork, from cheese to caramel. You can literally cook almost every meal out on the grill.

Most people usually just choose meats for their grilling experience. This is the safest route but there can be some variety. You can think about broadening your horizon by including pork cuts and even lamb to shrimp and scrod. Nothing beats lamb chops from an open flame. Or try shrimp kabobs at this year's Fourth of July barbecue. Even grilled cheese can be grilled outdoors. Us e think slices of white bread any cheese and add in tomatoes and even bacon. For another twist , grill bread cubes cherry tomatoes and olives on a stick for some fun as well. Grilled veggies go good in any salad especially peppers, tomatoes, corn kernels and eggplant. These add not only color but a deep smoky richness to just mixed greens and a simple vinaigrette.

Remember that fruits can be grilled as well. Peaches are the all time preferred because they re easy to fix and cook up nicely. You may wan to serve them afterwards with ice cream or on pound cake with a drizzle of peach schnappes. Grilled watermelon is new but it;s tasty as is grilled grapefruit with brown sugar. Another fun one is grilled bananas served with caramel sauce.

Nothing beats a summer around the grill. get creative this season with different meat sand harvests for a spin on this classic technique. see how many things you can put over the open coals for new tastes and textures.

The Start of The Summer Party Season

Now that May is here, it's the start of the official summer party season. There are showers and weddings to plan for . Not to be left out are barbecues and graduation blow outs. What to serve? There's he question.

Small weddings and showers call for easy elegance. You may want to try the finger sandwich route . Here you can get creative with all sorts of yummy fillings such as deviled ham and chicken as well as with egg salad and cucumber. Add some watercress and cream cheese to bring an English tea vibe to it. To accompany these think small. Small dishes of pitted black and green olives or plates of grape tomatoes mingled with baby gherkins. To end it , think small again. Cupcake trees are better than an entire cake and then have plates of petit fours and butter cookies put on individual tables. Serve a champagne fruit punch foist followed by coffee and tea. This fare is light but still filling and perfect for a warm day.

For graduations and barbecues, think grilling. Nothing feeds a crowd like kabobs. They're simple to make, simple to cook and simple to eat. You can have steak chicken,veggie or shrimp ones to satisfy everyones' tastes. For sides think huge bowls of homemade potato, macaroni and pasta salads. These can be made the night before and easily chilled in the fridge. End with a store bought ice cream cake or easy to make pudding cream pies.


Get ready for the season ahead. May not only brings flowers but also promises of big get togethers that require a lot of planning and prepping. Be ready for these with easy dishes and desserts.