9 Summer Grilling Favorites 2018

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Summer is well under way and everyone is trying to beat the kitchen heat by grilling outdoors!

I have an array of some of my favorite grilling dishes that I think you will just love.  So look through them below and pick a few to try when you are planning your next meal on the grill!

9 Summer Grilling Favorites 2018



Let start off with something light and healthy like my Weeknight Balsamic Steak Salad.  This has such bold flavors that will leave you craving more.. Don't forget the Blue Cheese on this one, it's a definite must for those complex flavors!

For a great chicken dish you'll just love my Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Mediterranean Rice.  Again as with the steak dish above Balsamic is the primary flavor and it's just makes this chicken pop!  We love Mediterranean flavors and this dish is a winner!

For those who like fish or seafood you have to try my Lemon Herb Grilled Shrimp and Scallops.  It is so light and delectable that it will just knock your socks off!

You certainly can't get through summer without having a burger.  And if you choose any burger it better be my Butter Burgers.  Man oh man are these the juiciest burgers you will have anywhere!  An absolute must in my book.

Oh this salad!  The marinade which is also the salad dressing is to die for.  This salad is worth eating just for that marinade.  Grilled Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad with leave you feeling like you are sitting on a small island somewhere drinking Chianti and savoring the sea breeze! 

Let not forget the side dishes that are perfect for grilling.  Try The BEST Grilled Corn Ever and you will know what I mean.  Savory with chives and then there's the butter.  Need I say more?

What's better than a side of grilled vegetables?  Not much.  Grilling brings out the sweetness in the vegetables, and that char...oh that char!  Flavors are waiting.  Try my version of Grilled Vegetables with a balsamic marinade...they are truly perfection!

For something fun and different on the grill try Grilled Pita Pizzas.  They are a quick weeknight meal or can be a great appetizer.  They're easy to throw together and taste superb on the grill!

Let's not forget about dessert!  You gotta try a dessert on the grill.  Yes, grilled peaches and nectarines are tasty, but let's go a step further and have my Grilled Lemon Pound Cake with Strawberries and Vanilla Ice Cream!  Oh boy, oh boy!  I'll take the dessert over the meal when this is served!

Have a wonderful "grillful" summer!



Easy Cinnamon Peach Cobbler (Family Sized)

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We are hosting a huge summer bash in a couple of weeks for a bunch of friends and I've been researching and testing recipes.  The key is that they must feed a crowd but be simple to make.

Today is all about dessert!  I've been digging through our old family recipes again and came up with my version of a classic.  If you want a super easy and quick dessert to make look no further than this Easy Cinnamon Peach Cobbler.  I made this particular one family sized in an 8x8 pan for testing purposes, but just double the ingredients and place in a 9x13 pan for one that will feed a crowd.

There's nothing better than this southern dessert during the summer, especially when peaches are in season!  Oh! fresh peaches are the BEST!  We just picked up some delicious peaches that promised to be a 12 on the flavor scale (0-15, 15 being sweetest) and they sure were.  Juicy and sweet.  So make sure to use fresh ones if you can find good ones.  If not then frozen will work perfectly.

This is a cobbler that is cakey, instead of a biscuit topping or a pie crust.  You make a batter and pour it in the pan, then add the peaches on top.  The peaches sink down and the cake rises around the peaches to create a cake like cobbler. Yum!  I also added some cinnamon to the peaches to give it a little homey flavor which I adore.  Leave it out if you prefer just plain peaches.  This is excellent in taste, and couldn't be 

Bring a little South to your menu and enjoy this Easy Cinnamon Peach Cobbler (Family Sized) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  It can't be beat!

Enjoy!




Easy Cinnamon Peach Cobbler (Family Sized)

serves 6

1/4 cup butter

1 1lb. fresh or frozen peaches peeled and sliced

1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cups sugar, divided
3/4 cups self-rising flour
3/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Add butter to a 8x8 baking dish and place into the oven as it preheats to 375º F to melt.

To a small bowl add peaches and 1/4 sugar.  Stir to combine.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl add remaining sugar, self-rising flour,  milk, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.  Remove pan from oven and pour batter on top of the melted butter.  Top with the peaches and their juices.  Do not stir.

Bake until the cobbler is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Weeknight Balsamic Steak Salad

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Are you ready for summer cooking?

How about a quick and easy weeknight meal that's delicious and satisfying?

I'm all about easy and quick during the summer so that we can spend more time outside enjoying the long evenings.  This recipe fits the bill with easy and quick, plus the bold flavors make this a crave-worthy recipe!

WEEKNIGHT BALSAMIC STEAK SALAD

This recipe can be made in 20 minutes with a little prep.  You should marinate the meat the night before and leave it in the refrigerator to soak up the yummy flavors until you are ready to cook.  Once that is done this meal comes together quickly.  All that's left is to grill the steak and put together the salad.  You will have one mouthwatering dish on the table in no time!

The marinade is full of complexity that leaves the steak juicy, tender, and dripping with wonderful flavor.  The salad is clean and simple with layers of tomatoes and avocado that compliment the steak.  The real punch comes from the blue cheese.  It's mind blowing how well these flavors compliment each other and this really makes the dish special so don't skip the cheese!  Some reserved marinade stands in as the dressing so the flavor profile is continued. 

We really love this salad, and I promise it's really easy to make on a weeknight.  Enjoy your new dinner recipe and enjoy the summer evenings!






Weeknight Balsamic Steak Salad

serves 2

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon of lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1- 1 1/2 lb beef flank steak
1 package (9 ounces) ready-to-serve salad greens

8 cherry tomatoes, halved 

1 Persian cucumber, halved and sliced

1/2 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Crumbled blue cheese

For the marinade/dressing: In a bowl add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme and salt & pepper. Whisk to combine. Take half of the mixture and place it in a resealable plastic bag. Reserve the rest in a jar to use as the dressing.

Add steak to the back and toss to coat. Place in the refrigerator overnight, until ready to cook.

Heat an outdoor grill to medium high heat. Remove the steak from the bag allowing the marinade to drain. Grill steak, covered, turning once, until desired doneness (135 degrees for medium-rare, 160 degrees for medium. Remove steak from grill and allow to rest 5-8 minutes before cutting.

Meanwhile, divide the salad greens among 2 plates. Top with tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, and cheese crumbles. Slice steak against the grain in thin slices and top the salad with the steak. Drizzle with reserved dressing and serve.