Summer's here, and along with it comes the season for entertaining, for sunshine, for being with your friends... and for barbecuing, of course. Whether you have a barbecue grill in your back garden or love to meet friends at your local park for an afternoon in front of the grill, there's almost nothing about summer more fun and festive than a barbecue.
The truth is, no matter what you make for a summer barbecue, it's going to taste wonderful. Something as simple as hamburgers and hotdogs is enough to make for a fabulous afternoon. But if you really want to blow your guests away with your food (or really want to impress that hot girl you met on an internet dating site), we have the perfect menu for you. Just add in some of your favorite BBQ side dishes and a few hamburgers and hotdogs, and you have a meal that will have your guests begging for more.
Oh, and it's easy, too.
Recipe 1: Refreshing Summer Sangria
This is the perfect thing to satisfy the adults. It's refreshing, delicious, and a heck of a lot stronger than it seems (so be careful!). This recipe makes enough to serve one glass to about 6 people. So you'll probably want to double or triple it!
Ingredients:
1 (750 ml) bottle Rioja red wine (or other dry red wine)
1/4 C. Cointreau or Triple Sec
1/4 C. good brandy
1/4 C. sugar
1/3 C. freshly squeezed orange juice
1 orange, washed and sliced
1 lemon, washed and sliced
1 cinnamon stick
Club soda (optional)
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, several hours before serving. Serve topped with a splash of club soda or, even better, all on its own over ice.
Recipe 2: Make-Ahead Barbecued Baby-Back Ribs
Ribs are more trouble than other things you make on the grill, but they're more than worth it. The recipe below is easy, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone tender. You can get it all prepared a day ahead of time so it's super easy the day of the barbecue. Serves 6.
Ingredients:
3 lg. racks baby-back pork ribs (membranes removed)
1 1/2 C. brown sugar
3 tablespoon garlic powder
3 tablespoon chili powder
salt and pepper, to taste
2 C. barbecue sauce (your favorite kind)
Instructions: Combine sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt and pepper. Rub onto both sides of each rack of ribs, dividing evenly. Wrap each rack of ribs in double layer of aluminum foil. Refrigerate for 24 hours or more. Place foil-wrapped ribs in a 250 degree F (120 degrees Celcius) oven and bake for 4 to 6 hours. Without removing the foil, let the ribs rest until they're more or less at room temperature. This can all be done ahead of time, and you can refrigerate them at this point to finish cooking them the next day. When you're ready to cook, simply place your (unwrapped) pre-cooked ribs on a hot grill, slather them in barbecue sauce, and cook them about 15 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
Recipe 3: Grilled Honey Corn
Corn on the cob is an important part of a BBQ meal. But this corn on the cob is so good it may outshine everything else on your menu. Seriously. Serves 6.
Ingredients:
6 ears of FRESH corn, cleaned and hulled
3 tbsp. butter, melted
1 1/2 tbsp. honey
1 teaspoon garlic, finely minced or pressed with a garlic press
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Instructions: Combine butter, honey, garlic, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir in garlic. Refrigerate mixture about 15 minutes. Brush evenly over your ears of corn. Wrap corn in aluminum foil. Grill in a medium-high heat grill about 15-20 minutes, turning often. Serve with salt.
Recipe 4: Grilled Fruit Skewers (Dessert)
Grilling fruit makes it sweet, soft, and so delicious. Served with a bowl of vanilla ice cream, the recipe below makes a perfect end to your summer BBQ. Serves 6.
Ingredients:
6 firm but ripe peaches, pitted and sliced into 8 wedges each
5 firm but ripe plums, pitted and sliced into 8 wedges each
10 firm but ripe apricots, pitted and halved
1 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks (or 1 can pineapple chunks)
36 bamboo skewers
Vanilla ice cream or fruit sorbet
1-2 tbsp. minced fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions: Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes to keep them from scorching. On each skewer, place one piece of each type of fruit. This can be done ahead of time. If assembled ahead, sprinkle with a bit of lemon juice to keep fruit from browning. Preheat the grill and oil racks. Grill fruit skewers about 5 minutes, turning once during the cook time. Fruit should be lightly brown and softened. Serve with a side of vanilla ice cream or fruit sorbet and sprinkle with mint if desired.
