Foodie Friday: Skewers For Every Summer Cookout

If your grill could talk, it might tell you that it is bored with the same lineup of steaks and burgers. These recipes are anything but boring. I grew up on shish kebabs, as we called them. The marinating and skewering is just fun, not to mention so flavorful. It's a wonderful idea for entertaining, as you can get all of the prep work done ahead of time. The possibilities are endless when grilling anything on a stick. Scroll down and find something different to serve this weekend.

Cantaloupe Prosciutto Caprese Skewers With Lemon Mint Pesto

Let's begin with an appetizer. OMG! These are the cutest, but are said to be embarrassingly easy. The lemon mint pesto, however, makes them 

quite impressive.

How Sweet Eats

30 Minute Sweet That Chili Salmon

A sophisticated but simple dish. All I can say is that this sounds like an explosion of flavors in the best of ways.

How Sweet Eats

Teriyaki Bourbon Steak Skewers

Let's stark with the steak. It's filet mignon which is already tender. Marinate in in teriyaki sauce, bourbon, and rice vineger, and you are guaranteed some fork tender meat. The drizzle on top? It's called yum yum sauce.

Over The Fire Cooking

Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Lemon Yogurt

This recipe is from the Middle Eastern NYC restaurant Dez.  The flavor profile is kicked up a notch by marinating the chicken in baharat, a Middle Eastern spice blend. When you add the cherry tomatoes, dipping sauce, and mint, you have something special.

Pure Wow

Grilled Swordfish Skewers With Lemon Garlic Sauce

This is a meal on a stick! I am sure that I would love every bite. Those charred potatoes must be delish.

Heather Christo

Grilled Pork Skewers With Balsamic Marinade

"Grilled Pork Skewers! Pork tenderloin gets its flavor from a Balsamic Marinade with soy sauce, garlic, and spicy seasonings!" I will add that I often use a marinade like this for grilling, and it's fab.
Kitchen Confidante

Grilled Shrimp & Sausage Skewers

A Spanish take on "surf and turf." I also get some New Orleans vibes from the ingredients.

Epicurious

Honey BBQ Chicken and Charred Corn Polenta

This recipe had me at "charred corn polenta." Doesn't that sound different and delicious? The honey adds a sweetness and a fabulous caramelization. 

Half Baked Harvest

Sweet and Sour Pork Skewers With Pineapple

These sure look fun! And pineapple grilled is really a chunk of heaven. Worth a try.

Pure Wow

Lemongrass Beef Skewers

This dish features a Vietnamese flavor balance of salty, sweet, and savory. The meat used is flank steak, which if you can believe, I have never cooked.

Taming Of The Spoon

Grilled Scallop Skewers

Said to be the most luxurious meal one can grill. I cook scallops often in a grill pan, but never have tried them outside on the grill. Duh! The recipe calls for a quick marinade of honey, garlic, and Spanish smoked paprika. Trying this one.

The Modern Proper

Grilled Siracha Tahini Sweet Potato Skewers With Halloumi

I can promise you that I will be making this dish over the weekend. Perhaps minus the cheese, though the pairing of sweet from the potatoes, and salty from the cheese is tempting. The Siracha kicks it all up a notch.

Naturally Ella

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Stock Your Outdoor Kitchen & Grill Like A Master

Spirited Recipes For Dad's Day

{ Via: Williams Sonoma }

Most men think they are grill masters. My Dad was, and now my husband thinks he is. This year, entice Dad to have a seat with a cocktail he can't resist. Then cook him up something that is infused with spirited flavors. These 12 recipes are unexpected, but oh so interesting. Dad is sure to love them. 

Jameson Whiskey Blue Cheese Burger
As if this recipe doesn't sound good enough, it's topped with a Guinness cheese sauce + crispy onions!  Most Dads will find this burger irresistible.
Half Baked Harvest

Whiskey Sour Tart
Not only Dad, but the entire family will love this boozy dessert! It even looks like the iconic cocktail.
Gourmet Traveller

New York Strip Steaks with Bourbon Steak Sauce
Maybe my favorite steak is also dad's, too. The ingredients for the steak sauce are stunning!
Williams Sonoma

Bourbon Banana Cream Pie
My own Dad would have lost his mind with this recipe. Mom's was good, but without bourbon.
Completely Delicious

Gingered Peach Bourbon Thyme Smash
This summery cocktail is a mix of muddled peaches, thyme, honey and lemon juice. It's all topped off with ginger beer, which everyone seems to love. I haven't tried it yet. I give this cocktail concoction A+ for looks!
Half Baked Harvest

Bourbon Brown Butter Peach 
Dutch Baby
Doing Brunch? Better make plenty of these (Dutch) babies! It's topped off with ice cream.
Ohhh My!
Broma Bakery

Grilled Whiskey Glazed 
Cedar Planked Salmon
Sweet and sticky, buttery and cedar-y. Can you say heaven?? Because that’s exactly what this recipe says to me. 
Simply Scratch

Frozen Boozy Arnold Palmer
This recipe transforms the classic iced tea-lemonade combo into the perfect drink to sip while the grill is doing
 its thing.
Epicurious

Bacon Bourbon BBQ Chicken Kebabs
Everything is better on a stick!  The homemade bacon paste and bourbon infused barbecue sauce,  really brings a depth of flavor to this dish.
Host The Toast

Bourbon Bacon Marshmallow S'mores
Dad will have to beat me to the stick to take the first bite of this ooey gooey treat. Oh boy!
How Sweet Eats

Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon 
BBQ Sauce
I often find myself using some kind of "spirits" in my barbecue sauce. If you haven't made your own yet, do give it a try. It is soooo much better that the bottle. I think these ribs are picture perfect. Don't you?
What Should I Make For...

Boozy Roasted Strawberry Sundae With Coconut Hot Fudge Sauce
Roasted strawberries? That in itself sounds amazing. The booze used is bourbon, and you will find that in the strawberry sauce. 
Who could resist?
Heather Christo



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Foodie Friday: Summer Side Dishes

{ Via: Kitchen Sanity }

Summer dinners in the "Shop This" household are usually prepared on the grill.  There's nothing better than anything cooked outdoors. The entree is always easy to come up with....hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, chicken, or steak. It's the sides that make the meal memorable.  This recipe roundup will change up your routine. Scroll down to find your future favorite dish.

HERE: 13 Summer Sides That Are Anything But Boring

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

Oh what a bundle of love! You can use bacon or pancetta, and you actually grill these bundles. My personal thought is that pancetta might be easier to work with, and less likely to spike flames. It's a five star recipe from 

Rachael Ray.

The Food Network

Prosciutto Goat Cheese Stuffed Peaches with Thyme Honey

Could a dish look or sound any more appealing? A perfect appetizer or side to serve, if you are out to impress. A must make for me 

this Summer.

Half Baked Harvest

BLT Potato Salad

A recipe that is a terrific twist on the classic variety. There is no mayo but promises to be delicious anyway. It's made with lots of fresh mint, parsley and of course bacon and tomatoes. Looks delightful!

Heather Christo

Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad

Watermelon is my favorite fruit, but I always wait until August to try it. Nothing is worse than carrying a heavy melon home and have the flavor NOT be sweet. This recipe couldn't be easier, and it looks so refreshing. I'm going to put this dish in my rotation soon.

Williams Sonoma

Cheesy Stuffed Pesto Garlic Bread

Growing up, we didn't have a cookout without a tin foil wrapped loaf of Garlic Bread. It was my job to make it, and I made it my responsibility to eat it, as well. Mine didn't look like this. It's made with a jar of pesto, so that's easy.  I would make my own. Better prepare two loaves, this looks like it will be a crowd pleaser.

How Sweet Eats

Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio

I haven't had an heirloom tomato yet this season, as they are still sky high in price. But when they come down, this recipe is being made. Of course, the word, "carpaccio" means thinly sliced, so a good knife will be needed. Microgreens and pistachios add the 

finishing touch.

Broma Bakery

Easy Grilled Sweet Potatoes

One of my favorite things! All you have to do is toss thick sliced potatoes with salt and oil, according to the recipe. I also add garlic and cinnamon. YUM!

The Kitch'n

Grilled Cornbread With 

Jalapeno Honey Butter

Grill marks just make everything better in my book. These buttery squares look like heaven to this girl who never eats bread. Truth is, I have a soft spot for cornbread. Another "must try." 

Whole and Heavenly Oven

Dressed Up Baked Beans

Let's face it, most baked beans are boring. This recipe changes up the classic dish with beef sausage, sliced on the diagonal, pure maple syrup and more. Looks good.

The Modern Proper

Summer Fruit Salad

This recipe is for Mollie, who loves to serve a fruit salad. It's time for all of us to change it up a bit. Make sure that you have the best flake sea salt, fresh ripe fruit, and prosciutto that you can find. And that cheese you see is Burrata, my fave.

Honestly Yum

Strawberry Arugula Salad With Watermelon and Feta

What a beautiful bowl! This salad has all of the feels of Summer. It's sweet, tangy, and crunchy. The simple balsamic dressing adds the zest. Nuts add the crunch.

Foodie Crush

Grilled Street Corn With Avocado Mayo

Serve this as an appetizer, side dish, or for me it could be dinner! I thought that this recipe was so unique, and can be made ahead of time. One fabulous idea.

Half Baked Harvest

Pea, Asparagus, & Avocado Salad With Burrata

Summer on a platter. The hardest part of this recipe is picking out the perfect avocados! The dressing sounds fabulous. It's made with lemon, yogurt, avocado, mint and more. 

Food52

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