Add Spark To Your Barbecue

Memorial Day is the official start of grilling season. It's a time when people go to the traditional for their parties and picnics. Yet the problem is that it's the same old burgers and dogs year after year. There is some variety when chicken or fish is add but that's it. Then there's the boring salads. This is the year to add some spark to your barbecue.

Instead of buying those frozen meat patties being passed off as burgers get fresh ground beef. You can make your own hamburgers and ratchet them up a few notches. Put a ball of garlic butter in the middle of each one for a tender, savory bite. You can also form the meat into smaller patties to create sliders. Supermarkets are selling slider buns so you dont'have to worry about finding the right roll for them. As for chicken, you can try pulled chicken sandwiches. Shred the meat after grilling and add barbecue sauce for tasty alternative to barbecued wings and legs. Try these meats over a pizza made on your grill. Companies such as Williams and Sonoma sell what's known as a pizza stone that can be put over a grill.

If you're tired of making time honored slaws and salads then mix them up a bit. Throw in a dollop of spicy horseradish to cole slaw for some bite and dash. Guaranteed guests will love it. As for potato salad nix the mayo and add oil and vinegar. Add grape tomatoes instead of celery and some finely chopped salami for an Italian spin. Macaroni salad doesn't have to be yawn inducing either. Mix it with Italian dressing and throw in some broccoli and cauliflower florets.

Barbecues can be a culinary treat if you add oomph to them! Don't settle for the traditional. Make it an out door gourmet dining time!

A Squeeze Of Lime

Limes are one of the most wonderful fruits. They are incredibly versatile and add a certain flip to any dish , especially summer ones. You can zest up a cocktail with then, use them for grilling or make a tart, eye opening ice or pastry . They are a must have. Add them to your warm weather grocery list.

Like their cousins, the lemon and the orange, limes are from the Citrus family. Lime trees have leathery leaves and fragrant white flowers.The fruit is generally smaller than lemons and has a thinner rind. Like lemons, they are high in Vitamin C. but also Vitamin A and calcium. The British fend limes to their sailors during the 1800s to ward off scurvy. (hence the nickname "Limey").Limes are not only used for food. They are also the base and top notes in several colognes and perfumes. The first trees were grown in Southeast Asia and they still figure prominently in the cooking there. It was also grown in ancient Persia where it was known as limu. Crusaders brought them back to Europe with them where they flourished in Mediterranean countries.

Limes are wonderful in summer cooking. Squeeze lime over grilled chicken or tuna for a lively bite. You can also use it to make cerviche since the acid "cooks" the fish. Lime dressing is a refreshing twist on vinaigrette and it gives a lift to ordinary veggies like tomatoes and broccoli. Limeade and mojitos are wonderful, tasty drinks at any gathering. You can also add lime to iced tea as a more interesting alternative to lemon. Every picnic deserves to be ended with Key Lime pie or tartlets.

There is nothing like a squeeze of lime to add zest to any summer meal. Buy several and use them for everything. They liven up drinks and meals, adding extra flavor to barbecues and picnics.They are a definite buy for warm weather cooking and drinking.

Masa Man

Tortillas and, especially corn, have been slowly introduced into mainstream America. However thanks to Mexican American Chingo Bling , tortillas are becoming cool. In fact they're a main event in his videos and music. He's introducing this south of the border standard along with classic food to the masses.

Senor BLing was featured in the New York Times Dining section yesterday. Dining regular, John T. Edge managed to catch up with this busy musician and culinary ambassador and get an interview. Mr Bling whose real name is Pedro Herrara is a Houston native has fun with his culinary roots. He made a video much like rapper 50 Cents' "Candy Shop" called "Taco Shop" in which he turned a girl into a taco filling. However he does have a lot of respect for the immigrantnworkers, such as his mom who used to make them to sell at his father's garage.

Tamales and tacos are a big part of Mexican life. It's how many immigrant women make their living. It's not uncommon to see them in parking lots, cooking tamales and masa or corn . Some can make fifty grand a month according to Mr Bling. This pays for a lot , including housing and necessities. It shouldn't be this way however being an independent tamale maker is a lot better and more satisfying than working at a mall restaurant. It may be illegal but it's part of survival.

Hopefully Senor Bling will be featured on more mainstream videos and more mainstream music shows. Even if you eat tamales and are well versed in Mexican food, he'll open your eyes. It's not just Taco Bell. Mexican food is heart and soul along with being hard work.

Good British Food

For those who are traveling to Britain , specifically London, you're in for a treat. There are a few go dd restaurants that serving very traditional food. In fact it;s a trip back into England's past when the meals were a combination of hearty and gourmet. Menus are reflecting a surprisingly glorious food Britannia past.

These restaurants were reviewed in today's New York Times Dining section. Lucky contributor , Sam Sifton, was able to go to Britain;s capital and sample a variety of delicious dishes . He went to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, St John Hotel and Barbecoa. The first and last are owned by famed cooks Heston Blumental and Jamie Oliver. Blumenthal is something of celebrity chef to begin with; his creativity is revered on both sides of the Atlantic. He bases his newest menu on old cookery books recipes.Think cozy meals cooked in "Cranford" as opposed to Cool Britannia treats.

The other two restaurants, one at the famed St John Hotel and Barbecoa are simple yet amazing. The first offers traditional British beans but this time they're blended with bacon. There are also sweetbreads with butter beans and wild garlic, said to be too good to be true. At Oliver's restaurant )also co owned by American Perry Lang), Barbecoa, the offerings are barbecue. This is perfect for Yanks hankering for a taste of home. There is also cornbread and pulled pork.

If you're going to London this summer , then stop into any of these restaurants. They're are a window into Britain's past and its' future. All in all it's a chance to try some of the best food the city has to offer.

We Heart Missouri Food

Missourians are a brave tough crowd. From the pioneers who founded the state, to Harry Truman to the brave people who went through that devastating life shaking tornado,. They can make do with almost anything in any situation. The same goes for their food. They take risks with traditional dishes and create something bold and unique.. They are culinary warriors.

Missourians come from hardy immigrant stock. Their state is a mishmash of cultural finds from ribs to ravioli, from German to Chinese.. They have created a truly awe inspiring recipe book that puts their spin into time honored recipes. Take for example, St Louis. famed fried ravioli. Instead of served crispy and hot with a side o f marinara sauce for dipping. It's genius. They have put their on spin on classic Chinese cashew chicken renaming it Springfield. Here instead of marinating it in soy Missourians deep fry the chicken and then add the sauce. it's a tasty American spin on a traditional dish,.German food also plays an important part here thanks to many German immigrant settling the state in the 1840s; St. Louis offers as many different kinds of wurst s as Munich , Berlin or Hamburg does. Stollen is a popular Christmas and Easter cake here.

Missouri most famous city , St, Louis is known for its; ribs. it's a different style of cutting them ,mainly trimming away the brisket part or tips. These are usually slow cooked over a low heat to ensure a melt off the bone tenderness.Saucing the ribs with St Louis barbecue sauce is also needed to produce an authentic tasting treat. Since St Louis is a German town, beer is used in the sauce. This makes the meat butter soft and tasty. Horseradish and other piquant flavorings are also added to give the ribs some bite.

Missourians are a hardy race, forged from strong pioneer immigrant stock and buffered by their good food. They have contributed some unique and delicious food to America;s cookbook and table. The state is known as "The Show Me State" but it should be renamed "The Show Off State" for their strength and fortitude. - and good cooking.

Just Simple Desserts

Put away those frostings and meringue topping .Summer is here and it's time to start paring down desserts. You no longer have to have rich tortes or trifles. This is the time of year for simple sweets - homemade cakes and crumbles that involve fresh fruit and cream. It's also a time to think easy - fridge cakes and 1-2-3 puddings.

If you do insist on baking or even buying cake think pound. A slice of any flavor of pound cake with fresh berries and Cool Whip is a nice touch to any summer birthday meal. Pound cake is relatively easy to make . The only real headache is heating up the oven for almost two hours on a hot day. However many markets sell freshly made ones from plain to chocolate chip to marble . You can easily buy one and then dress it up anyway you like. Cobblers and crumbles are also a snap to whip up and fun to make; especially if you have fresh picked berries or peaches to add to them.

If you want something fancier, look no further than fridge cakes and rice pudding. There are some quick refrigerator cakes to make that suit any occasion from shower to barbecue. The most famous one is the chocolate wafer with whipped topping This log is wonderful and you and do so many variations with it. Add mint flavoring to the cream before assembling. Or serving raspberries with it on the side. Another great recipe is the Nilla wafer cake that involves Nabisco;s Nilla wafers and vanilla pudding. This last has graced many a picnic table. Rice pudding is a simple summer dessert that can also be varied. You can add pistachios for an Indian vibe or almonds and lemon. Some go the traditional route with raisins and cinnamon.

Summer is here and it;s a time for simple desserts. Try a slice of pound cake or a parfait glass of rice pudding at your next gathering. They are a sweet light ending to nay barbecue or picnic.

Healthy Food , Healthy Foodie

Ever notice how hospital food is always bland? ( I did after spending seven hours in my local one due to some silly stress today).There's a reason why it's so salt free and tasteless - it's healthy or supposed to be for you. No matter what age we are - whether seven or seventy we're all supposed to eat (and eat slowly because gobbling and wolfing are bad for you) organic , free range meats and wholesome healthy veggies and fruits.

This would work if there weren't so many temptations out there. There's snacks and cookies,, loaded with sodium and sugar, There's soda , pure sugar pure vice but oh so good, especially with ice on a hot day, How can we give up burgers and fries ? Or ice cream? Or chocolate. We're hard wired to love what's bad for us whether it's fast cars, fast men (or women) or fast food. If it's sinful bring it on.

Luckily there are compromises. Try flavored seltzer when you want a tasty and carbonated drink. There; no sugar as with a cola or root beer but it does quench your thirst and it is perfect on a hot day. For sweets there are some fun fruits out there like the pluot. This apricot plum hybrid is wonderful whether in a picnic basket or a lunch box. It has a candy like taste but it's fresh , organic fruit. Eat chocolate but go for the dakr kind than for the milk or white. For fun snacks try cut up veggies with Greek yogurt. Want burgers? Go for the turkey or veggie kind. Less calories, less cholesterol and they're still patties.

Healthy food doesn't mean sacrificing what you love. It just means a compromise for a better lifestyle and diet. You can still have what you crave but make it good for you