Calling all cooks.....?

My family, (kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc.) all get together and BBq every sunday evening. There are usually about 22 of us. One of our favorite side dishes is grilled vegtables.

i take carrots, onions, bell peppers, potatoes, and any other veggie that liikes good and peel and slice them. I toss all the veggies with olive oil, crushed garlic and minced rosemary. Load all the veggies into a foil pouch, seal well and throw on the grill. Be sure to turn the bag often. it will puff up, so be careful not to pierce the bag or you will loose all the juices.

my bunch loves this.

I also slice and grill pineapples. Yummie!

Ugly Dog Saloon’s Cold Slaw

¼ C. Mayo

1 Tbl Garlic Pepper Seasoning

¾ tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Black Pepper

2 Tbl Soy Sauce

1 Tbl Molasses plus

1 tsp Molasses

3 cups very coarsely chopped Cabbage (red or green or a mixture)

1. Mix together all ingredients, except cabbage, with a whisk to combine thoroughly.

2. Combine dressing with cabbage and serve.

Or

Cole Slaw Dish

2 each 1 lb bag of slaw mix

½ c slivered almonds

1 bunch green onions

1 T butter

Dressing

¼ c sugar

¼ c vinegar

½ c oil

2 pkgs Raman Noodle Chicken Flavor (just throw out the noodles, or they can be crushed and put on top of the slaw just as you are serving)

Saute almonds in butter, let cool.

Add all dressing ingredients and mix well.

Combine slaw, green onlins and cooled almonds, pour dressing over and mix. Refrigerate for an hour and mix again. (the longer the salad sits the more dressing it produces) Can be made the day before and just do not mix the dressing with the slaw until an hour before serving.

How about an orzo spinach lemon feta salad? This is the basic recipe, you can add more or multiply it if need be.

Boil a cup of orzo. While that's boiling, chop up half a bag of fresh spinach. Drain and rinse a can of garbanzo beans. Chop up some green onions. Make a lemon vinaigrette (recipe to follow). You can do all this while the orzo's cooking.

Drain the orzo and toss everything together!

Lemon vinaigrette:

Juice of two lemons, zest of one

1/3 cup olive oil

1 spoonful minced garlic

Salt, pepper, and dried oregano

Shake well

For add-ins you can do anything! Sun-dried tomatoes are good for color and flavor.

This is a great rice recipe that goes with anything.

Onion Rice

1 Cup of Rice

1 can of Beef Consommé

1 can of French onion soup

1/2 stick of butter

Mix all ingredients in a casserole dish that has a lid.

Bake for 45 minutes to an hour at 400 to 425 depending on your oven.

I hope this helps.

Grilled corn with flavoured butter. Mix the butter in a blender with italian spices and parm cheese. Or you can mix it with one chili in adobo and sprinkle queso freso on top.

Grilled Polenta. Just make the polenta ahead of time and spread it in a cookie pan to chill. Once it's chilled you can either cut it or use a cookie cutter to make shapes. Put it on the grill. You can top it with marinara or any other sauce you like.

Veggie Kebabs. Cut up all types of veggies you like, skewer them and marinate them in a balsamic vinegarette. Grill them to the doneness you like. I like a really high heat quickly so the veggies are still a little crunchy but have that charred flavour.

And you can always do baked beans. Just take your favorite brand, I like B & M. Add 1/2 small onion minced, 1 tbsp. catsup and mustard, and 1/4 c. brown sugar. Top it with bacon that has already been cooked.

why not try bruschetta on the grill?

look on the foodnetwork website.

They have great things!

Or shishkabobs on the BBQ? Chicken, Shrimp, Steak?

Over rice?

I know, potato salads and pasta salads are traditional, but dont forget, some people want that because that is sometimes what DEFINES a bbq.

Have fun, be creative

Well, I like to mix it up, but try finding a recipe for Hot potato salad...a little different twist

Make my all time fav Taco salad(one first prize at picnic)

Get a large bowl, add shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, sliced avocado(optional), can of sliced of olives, bag of shredded mexican or sharp cheddar cheese, a pound of cooked hamburger(cooled and drained), add two bottles of WishBone Russian Dressing(if you can't find Russian-- Catalina will work but its not quite the same). Then add one bag of crushed Frito Lay Chili Cheese chips.

Toss the mixture and chill.

Tabouli.

Mmm. Corn on the cob!