Summer Cookout Dishes That Rock!

Ah yes SUMMER is FINALLY here!!!  What better way to kick off the season with some great recipes under your belt!

I can remember as a kid it seemed like every weekend we were having a cookout with our neighbors and friends. The food was simple – watermelon, burgers & dogs, potato & macaroni salad, baked beans, chips, beer and tons of desserts.  We’d always have horseshoes competitions going, tether ball for the kids and volleyball for the bigger kids and adults.  Sometimes we’d start up a softball game (we had 41 acres and also a full size football field) while the music was blaring (another advantage of living in the middle of no where). Mom would cook for days on end and either I’d be in the kitchen helping her or out in the yard doing my best to help cut grass – yes one year I took out scissors to help cut that grass as I was too little to ride the tractor or use the push mower but I was bound and determined to help.

It was nothing for us to have 100+ people show up that would come at noon and stay until the wee hours of the morning.  Someone always had fireworks and while the stories from years gone by were often repeated they seemed to get better and better as they were re-told. Daddy would have a few beers in him and grab my Mom and twirl her around in the yard.  I can still hear her belly laughing while trying to yell at him about something in the kitchen needing her. God that is so familiar as I do that constantly with Mr. Fantabulous.

I miss those summers growing up and I cannot wait until our house is done with the huge remodel so we can start doing them with our friends and family.

◊ Strawberry Margarita Jell-O shots
◊ Firecracker Patriotic Bark
◊ Cheesy Zucchini Crab Puffs
◊ Brussels Sprouts Cranberry Salad
◊ Sloppy Joes
◊ Gluten Free Crispy Chicken Strips
◊ Drunken Beer Pulled Chicken
◊ Ice Cream Sandwich Torte
◊ Smashed Loaded Baked Potatoes
◊ Toasted Almond Caramel Chocolate Bark with Sea Salt
◊ Chicken Fiesta Cups
◊ Grilled BBQ Beef Short Ribs Pizza
◊ Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Peppers
◊ Hummus
◊ Peach Upside Down Cakes
◊ Tater Topped Meatball Meatloaves
◊ Crispy Baked Parmesan Potato Wedges
◊ Pittsburgh Slaw
◊ Sticky Honey BBQ Wings
◊ Asiago Quinoa Veggie Bites
◊ Chickpea Cucumber Salad
◊ Club Pizza Puffs
◊ Patriotic Ambrosia
◊ Cheesy Ranch Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
◊ Double Chocolate Covered Strawberries
◊ Corn on the Cob
◊ Sugar Cookie Cups with Cheesecake & Fruit Filling
◊ Bacon BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
◊ Thai Shrimp Summer Rolls
◊ Watermelon Jell-O Shots