BBQ- Part 1

Before our nice evenings disappear and the cold winter air moves in, you might want to take advantage of the lovely weather we are experiencing. A great way to do this is to have a few friends over, kick back, grab a beer and enjoy a BBQ'd meal. This week I am going to give you the tips and tricks that will keep your friends ranting and raving about your fall BBQ! So grab that apron, your grilling tools and let's throw another shrimp on the barbie!

Today I am going to give you a few salad ideas to serve at your BBQ. If you are strapped for time, or your boss just wouldn't let you leave the office early Friday, don't stress yourself out, just make one salad. However, personally I find my guests love variety. So if you have the time try to make at least two.

We are going to start off with a personal favorite; The roast potato salad. This is a perfect dish as it complements any, if not all BBQ dishes.

Shopping list:

• 4 Yukon Gold potatoes
• 3 Sweet potatoes 
• 3 TBSP vegetable oil
• 1/2 TSP
• 3/4 cup frozen corn
• 1 sweet red pepper
• 1 green onion
• 3/4 cup regular or if you want to feel better about yourself, light mayo
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 fresh parsley
• 2 TBSP lime juice
• 2 TBSP chipotle peppers 
• 1/2 TSP ground cumin
• 1/4 TSP salt
• 1/4 TSP pepper

Preparation:

Preheat the oven at 425 degrees.
1.Peel and cut the Yukon and sweet potatoes into cubes and place them in a large bowl
2.Stir in oil and salt so the potatoes are covered. Then proceed to spread on a large greased baking sheet and roast 60 -65 minutes.
3.While the potatoes are cooking, in a bowl whisk together, mayo buttermilk, parsley, lime juice, the minced chipotle peppers, cumin and salt and pepper. This creates the dressing
4.Once the potatoes are nicely roasted combine them with the red pepper, green onions. Pour the dressing over top and coat the potatoes.


For the health nuts, a great salad idea is the classic bean salad.

Shopping list:

• 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 1/2 cup of frozen corn
• 1/2 cup green onions
• 3 fresh plum tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 avocado
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1/4cup fresh basil (chopped)
• 2 TBSP lime juice
• 1 TBSP olive oil
• 1/2 of sugar- to balnce the acidity from the tomatoes and lime juice.
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: 

1. Combine and stir all together. It's just that simple.

If there is a chance of children coming to your BBQ event, the next salad idea is perfect. It's called noodle salad.

Shopping list:

• 2 TBSP brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 packages of instant noodles (crushed)
• 1/4 cabbage (shredded)
• 2 red onions (sliced)
• 3 stalks of celery

Preparation:

1. Mix the water and sugar together

2. Add the oil and noodles. Set to cool. 

3. Add the veggies and the stir in the flavor sachets.

There you have it, three simple, great salad ideas. Stay tuned for the main course that will have everyone talking about how juicy your meat is!