Sizzling Summertime Recipes
Date
June 16, 2016Rising summer temperatures call for outdoor cooking—grilling to be exact. There's nothing quite like sharing a few drinks with friends on the patio while dinner sizzles away, the air smoky and smelling of savory spice rubs or a citrus marinade. There's no hot kitchen or dirty pans to clean afterwards, making for an ultimate win-win in home cooking. So get your grills ready for these six finger-licking recipes you need to grill this summer.
1. Juicy Shrimp with Roasted Chile and Avocado Sauce
Shrimp is easy and quick to grill, making it a great choice for an appetizer. This shrimp recipewith its creamy, slightly spicy sauce is great as a starter, or served with sides for a main course. When grilling the poblano peppers, be sure to get a nice blistery char all over and immediately place in a plastic wrap-covered bowl to retain its heat. Both the steam and blistery char make a big difference when it comes to peeling off the pepper's skin.
2. Grilled Chicken with Rosemary and Bacon
This flavor packed grilled chicken is easy and quick enough for a mid-week dinner. The bacon keeps the chicken moist while rosemary adds a pleasant aroma and flavor. Thoroughly oil the grill to prevent the bacon from sticking and unwrapping. Be careful not to over season the chicken since the bacon adds some saltiness. Serve alongside rice and grilled vegetables like zucchini, grape tomatoes, or corn. Simply coat the vegetables with oil, salt, and pepper then toss on the grill.
3. Cheese-Stuffed Burgers
When it comes to burgers there are two schools of thought: it's all about the toppings or it's all about the meat. These cheese-stuffed burgers marry the two fields. Begin with a simple hamburger recipe then let your imagination fly. Cheese stuffing suggestions include blue cheese, pimiento cheese and even mozzarella, but feel free to use your favorite cheese. Take the concept a step further by topping the cheese-stuffed burger with corresponding flavors, like an Italian inspired mozzarella-stuffed burger topped with tomato bruschetta, or a steakhouse blue cheese-stuffed burger topped with arugula, sliced red onion, and balsamic glaze. The sky's the limit!
4. Cedar-Planked Salmon with Coriander-Citrus Glaze
Grilling on a cedar plank elevates your food, infusing a smoky wood flavor. You can usually find cedar planks wherever you buy propane and online. The plank works two ways: steam and smoke. Soaking the plank for at least an hour ensures it doesn't burn up on the hot grill. Also, steam mixed with the wood's oils is released during heating. Once the bulk of the moisture turns to steam, the wood will begin smoking. The smoke cures the outside of the salmon (or whatever else you're grilling), locking in moisture. This cedar plank salmon is easy and flavorful. Serve alongside the recommended salad, or your favorite sides.
5. Chili-Glazed Pork Ribs
Traditional BBQ fare is more than just grilling, it's cooked low and slow. Applying gentle heat for hours creates a tender, juicy bite. These chili-glazed pork ribs deliver the hallmark tender meat associated with low and slow BBQ. If you've got the time, dry marinate the ribs overnight to help develop as much flavor as possible. Be sure to keep an eye on the sticky glaze when it's simmering to avoid burning, and don't think keeping it at a boil will shorten the 30 minutes it needs. Great BBQ is about being patient.
6. Grilled Pineapple
Grill fruit? Absolutely! Make this recipe as a light dessert after your grilled feast, or even as an appetizer to keep guests happy while the main event cooks. Try to use fresh instead of canned pineapple for optimal flavor. As a dessert, serve alongside creamy vanilla ice cream and add a drizzle of chocolate syrup. You won't be disappointed.
At Lady Luck® Casino Black Hawk we're hosting a BBQ every Saturday in June during our Free Summer BBQ. You read that correctly, free BBQ. Just earn 10 unadjusted points, then stop by the patio every Saturday this June from 2-4 p.m. to load up on thick, juicy burgers and hot dogs.
Sources:
http://allrecipes.com/recipes/88/bbq-grilling/
http://www.foodnetwork.com/grilling/grilling-central-barbecue.html
http://black-hawk-ladyluck.isleofcapricasinos.com/promotions/overview.html