This zucchini and yellow squash recipe can be done in the oven or on the grill, as pictured.  Zucchini and yellow squash grill is tasty and healthy.  Feel free to add your own style and change the spices.  Just about any flavor will go with these squash.

Ingredients;
2 small fresh zucchini
1 or 2 fresh yellow squash
1 TBLS tomato paste, I like the tube kind
1/2 a small onion sliced thin
drizzle of olive oil
Dash of garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions;
Wash and cut the off the ends of the squash off. Place in a foil pan or heavy duty foil. Drizzle with the olive oil, smear the tomatoes paste over the squash. Place the cut onion on top. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Wrap tightly and grill until soft, about 20 minutes. Or place in a 350 oven for about the same time.
Open carefully and slice to serve.

A fresh artichoke is intimidating to some, not only how to eat them but also how to cook them. Hopefully I will explain and picture the basics so you will try Grilled Artichokes. There are a few ways to cook artichokes. This one is steamed then grilled.
A stuffed version is also in the blog recipe list.

Ingredients;
3 whole fresh artichokes
3 TBLS unsalted butter
2 TBLS olive oil
1 TBLS Kosher salt
1/2 fresh lemon

Directions;
Wash and trim the artichoke except leave the stem on and cut them in half. Otherwise follow the balance of directions for trimming as stated under the blog recipe “stuffed artichokes”.
Place the trimmed artichokes in a pot with 1″ of water. Cover and steam for 30 minutes or until a leaf pulls out easily. While they are steaming melt the butter and oil together. Remove them from the pot and baste them with the butter mix.
Place them on the grill about a medium high flame. Grill for 5-10 minutes turning them. Serve in a platter with fresh lemon juice squeezed over them and a sprinkle of kosher salt.

Beef burgers sound bland, however made with the right ground meat they can be just mouth watering good. I think simplicity is key. Be sure to buy good quality ground meat. Let the meat shine through.

Ingredients;
2 LBS ground beef, 80% lean. Fresh ground is best and if the butcher will do it for you a mix of chuck and the filet of beef is a great combo.
Toppings;
Sauteed sweet onions
Cheddar, Swiss or whatever you enjoy
Pickle slices
Cooked bacon
BBQ sauce
Avocado slices
Sliced fresh tomato
Roasted red peppers or hot cherry peppers
Brioche burger buns (most supermarkets and Aldi’s carry them)

Directions;
Have all the toppings you want cooked or ready to be used.
Divide the beef into 4 portions. Gently and I mean gently form the portions into flat even discs. This will leave the air in the meat. Pounding them into burgers just makes them tough.
I highly recommend you grill them on an open fire. Medium is best for being cooked enough but still have plenty of juice. You’ll have to take a peek the first time you grill to see how long your grill takes to cook them to perfection.
Place the cheese on top and the buns cut side down on the grill a few minutes before removing them from the grill.
Top with whatever pleases you and enjoy the mouth watering burgers.

**serve them with my baked beans, any of my salads and a slaw

This lamb recipe has a marinade that compliments the lamb perfectly.

Ingredients;
Rack of French cut baby lamb chops, 5-7 ribs or 5-7 loin lamb chops
3 cloves of fresh garlic, mashed
1-2 sprigs each of rosemary, thyme and sage
Juice of one lemon
4 TBLS virgin olive oil

Directions;
Blend all but the lamb in a mini processor or blender.
Place in a freezer bag with the lamb for 2 to 8 hours in the refrigerator.  Remove the lamb and grill or broil while basting with the marinade until the lamb is done to your liking; rare, med rare, med.  I don’t recommend cooking the lamb to well done.
Use a meat thermometer placed in the thick part of the meat to help with the temperature.
Classic is to serve it with mint jelly.

This smoky lime shrimp recipe is so summer.
A great cook out item to compliment your menu.
You can marinate the night before and have more time
to prepare other foods.
Great when served with fresh grilled pineapple rings.

Ingredients;
1LB shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 TBLS olive oil
3 TBLS lime juice
1 TSP lime peel or zest
2 TSP smoky rub, any kind without salt
Pepper to taste

Mix all together and marinate for 1 hour to overnight in the refrigerator.
Skewer shrimp onto metal skewers or wood ones that you have soaked in
water to keep them from burning up.
Brush once with the marinade just before cooking.
Grill or broil a few minutes on each side until firm and no longer translucent.
Serve warm.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is a very tasty and easy recipe for BBQ chicken that compliments your summer cookout menu.
The slow cooker allows you time to prepare other menu items.

Ingredients;
3-4 LBS chicken legs/thighs
salt & pepper to taste
2/3 cup ketchup
2/3 cup molasses
2 TBLS Dijon mustard
2TBLS Worcestershire sauce
2 TBLS minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced and mashed
1 TBLS cornstarch
5 TBLS any style BBQ rub, without salt is preferred

Directions;
Rub the chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken in cooker and add all the other ingredients. Toss to coat the chicken well. Set the cooker on low for about 3 hours or until the chicken is tender but not falling off the bones.
Place the chicken on a foil lined baking sheet and place in the oven broiler until the skin is slightly charred.
You can also do this on the BBQ grill if you like.
Meanwhile pour the sauce from the cooker into a pot and simmer on medium a few minutes until it reduces and thickens.
Brush the charred chicken with the sauce and serve.

This Mojito Chicken Wings recipe is so tasty and a great item to prepare for an appetizer and a take along to a party.
The sauce gives a different take on wings that all will enjoy !!

Ingredients;
4 LBS chicken wings, cut into drum stick and flap, removing the tip
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup orange juice
4 TBLS olive oil
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
2 TBLS honey
2 TBLS mole verde spice, found in spice shop and the better markets
1 TSP grated lime peel
1 TSP ground cumin
1/2 TSP salt

Directions;
Mix all ingredients except the chicken in a bowl.
Reserve half the marinade and set it aside.
Place the chicken with half of the marinade into a 1 gallon zip lock storage bag. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Remove the chicken and shake off the marinade.
Grill the wings turning often until they are cooked through and browned, about 20-30 minutes.
Pour all of the reserved marinade into a pot and simmer until thickened.
Place the cooked wings on a platter.
Brush the simmered marinade onto the cooked wings and serve.

The Broccoli Rabe with Italian Sausage and potatoes recipe is an old style way of making this Italian broccoli dish. Some stores call it “Rapini”.

Ingredients:

6 Italian sausage links
2 heads of broccoli rabe, washed and bottom stems trimmed
4 cloves, garlic, mashed
3 TBLS olive oil
3 Red or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed

Directions:
Wash and trim the broccoli and steam it for about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Roast the sausage in the oven on 400 for 15-20 minutes or grill them until just cooked though. Slice the sausage links into 3 pieces each.
In a large frying pan add the oil and sauté the potatoes until just tender. Add the garlic and saute for a minute or two. Add the broccoli and sausage, simmer covered for 15 minutes, turning often.

A tasty Grilled Smoked Pork Chops recipe and a fast meal after working all day.

Ingredients:
4-6 Smoked pork chops ( found in most supermarkets)
¼ cup real maple syrup
Dash of each; cinnamon, nutmeg, orange juice and vanilla

Directions:

Place all but the chops in a sauce pan and bring to a boil for a few minutes. Brush the mixture on the chops and place on the grill. Grill for 5-10 minutes, just until grill marks are on both sides while you continue to brush with the sauce.
Serve with you favorite side items.

These Baby Back Ribs will melt in your mouth!!

1 rack of baby back pork ribs
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup molasses
¼ cup any type BBQ sauce
½ cup ketchup
2 TBLS spicy mustard
½ cup any type cola soda

Directions:
Mix together all except the ribs in a pot and simmer just 5 mins or so until bubbly and melted. Brush ½ the mixture on both sides of the ribs and place them in a roasting pan (cut the rack in half to fit if you need to). Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 1 ½ – 2 hours. Place ribs on the grill and brush with remaining sugar mix and brown to your liking. If you don’t want to grill you can finish them in the oven broiler.

This recipe of Grilled Lamb Chops taste exceptional made on the grill.

4 baby lamb chops, loin or rib cut
2 TBLS virgin olive oil
1 TSP Bell’s Seasoning (the yellow box with the turkey feathers on it you see out at Thanksgiving)
1 clove garlic, mashed
splash of lemon juice

Directions:
Mix all the in ingredients and let the lamb marinate 1 hour to over night refrigerated.
Place chops on a hot grill and cook to your liking. Serve with mint jelly on the side.

This Beef Marinade recipe can be used on London broil or steaks. Grilling tastes best but it can also be done in a broiler.

1 cup teriyaki sauce (low sodium is fine)
1/2 cup kitchen bouquet or gravy master seasoning sauce
1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium is fine)
1/2 TSP celery seed
1 large onion, quartered

Directions:
Place all in a blender and puree. Pour over meat and let marinate for 3-24 hours, refrigerated. Grill to your liking.

Grilled Shrimp on a skewer is a great cook out recipe for a main course or as an appetizer. Add grilled veggies. Use the same marinade but separate skewers, they need to cook longer than the shrimp.

Ingredients:
1 LB 16-20 count raw shrimp, peeled and deveined but the tail shell left on
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 TSP dried basil
Dash of dried oregano
1/2 TSP ground pepper
1 TSP paprika
Metal or bamboo skewers (soak bamboo skewers in water to prevent them from burning up)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and marinate refrigerated for 2-8 hours. Place shrimp on skewer and grill on open flame or in broiler for 5-7 mins, basting and turning once just until firm, not translucent but not shrinking in size.

A great summer cook out dish,  Sausage, Peppers and Onions with Potatoes.  Easy to bring along to feed a crowd.

Serve it in a plate or cut in half a large round crusty Italian bread, hollow it out and fill it with the sausage, peppers, potatoes and onions.  A very “Jersey” Italian sausage sandwich !!

Recipe Ingredients:
5 large red or Yukon gold potatoes
8 Italian sausage links
Olive oil
4 colored bell peppers cut into strips
2 large sweet onions sliced
Dash of red pepper flakes
Salt to taste

Recipe Directions:
Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Place them in a baking pan large enough to hold the sausage too. Toss with 2 TBLS olive oil and bake at 375 for 40 min. Grill sausage until browned and slice each link into three pieces and add to potatoes the last 15 mins of baking. Sautee the onions & peppers with 3 TBLS olive oil. You can leave the pepper-onions on the side or toss all together and serve.

***Lower the carbs by eliminating the potatoes***

Recipe Ingredients:
2 x 6-8oz salmon filets
3 TBLS vegetable oil
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 TBLS lemon juice

Recipe Directions:
Simmer all ingredients for about 5-10 mins, except the salmon. Brush salmon with glaze twice beginning with skin side down on the grill for 5 mins on each side.

Recipe Ingredients:
2 x 6oz Swordfish
1 TSP Chef Tony’s or Paul Prudhomme’s Seafood Magic (found in the spice aisle)
1 clove crushed garlic
2 TBLS lemon juice
3 TBLS currants , minced (they are found near the raisins)
Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like spicy

Recipe Directions:
Place fish in a plastic bag and add all ingredients. Marinade 4 hours to overnight. Place fish on grill and cook for about 5 mins on each side.