Recipes I must try

Odd as this may seem, given that I'm writing for a food blog the best food blog ever (rep-re-sent, people), I don't do a lot of cooking. One of the reasons I'm so excited to be working for the site is because it'll pull me outta my comfort zone and force me to make more than a grilled cheese or some absolutely delicious Pankeggs.

With that in mind, here are some recipes I have GOTTA take a crack at as soon as I get my lazy butt off the couch and into the kitchen.

Fat-Free Honey Granola Bars. Yeah, nothing special, but I'm sick of being under the yoke of Quaker Chewy's fake-healthy food. I want something I can snack on that's filling and not loaded with preservatives or chocolate chips!

But on the subject of chocolate, these chocolate cupcakes from She Bakes and She Cooks look positively heavenly. From the described texture to the nutella frosting, they're designed to make my stomach rumble, demanding tribute.

And while we're still on desserts, I want to whip up some of Thomas Jefferson's Ice Cream like Slashfood recommends. Problem is, I don't own an ice cream maker. Do I really need one? The recipe says you can just stick it in the freezer, but I imagine without the churning it won't be nearly as good.

But wait, tomorrow's the 4th! I should be grilling up some burgers! Right you are (or I am, since I'm typing this). Had I a meat grinder and a healthier lifestyle, I could justify eating perhaps one of these literal Bacon Cheeseburgers I saw on A Hamburger Today--still my favorite culinary find in the blogosphere by far. As it is, I might be able to get away with a few of these Firecracker Burgers instead.

And since my ladyfriend's a staunch vegetarian, I MUST cook the Ribz pictured on Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen for her. But that won't happen tomorrow, because I'll be too busy eating actual meat.

All day.

Happy 4th, everyone!

'Tis the Season

Spring has finally arrived in our little neck of the Midwest and it’s time to break out the grill. Wikipedia has a fascinating description of the meaning of BBQ around the world; some of this is highly entertaining. I love to grill because with it's little work and even less cleanup. As an added bonus, my husband is usually in charge of running the grill, which gets me off the hook for the majority of the cooking.

Men In Aprons is a website devoted exclusively to grilling and the men who love it. In fact, until recently, grilling has been the express purview of men and often one of the last bastions of “Manliness”. But increasingly, women are stepping up to the grill as a main part of the cooking experience. Elizabeth Karmel of Girls At The Grill has a terrific website devoted to all things grilled for women and men, from novice to expert. I highly recommend her site to anyone who’s ever been confused or intimidated by their BBQ.

One of my favorite recipes is Apple Sweet BBQ Chicken. It’s simple to make a works well with Citrus Grilled Vegetables and Grilled Baked Potatoes.

Add some apple juice to the barbecue sauce for an even sweeter taste.

Ingredients

1/2 C. barbecue sauce
1/4 C. frozen apple juice concentrate
3 lb. cut-up frying chicken (up to 3 1/2 lb.) -- skin removed if desired Heat grill.

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine barbecue sauce and apple juice concentrate; blend well. Set aside. When ready to grill, place chicken, skin side down, on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4-6 inches from medium coals. Cook 25-35 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear, turning often and brushing frequently with sauce during last 15 minutes of cooking time. Bring any remaining sauce to a boil; serve with chicken.

Enjoy the season and enjoy your grill!

Is It Summer Yet?

This weekend we had a little taste of summer in the Midwest. Sunday the temperatures were up in the high 70’s, something we rarely see until June. That got me to thinking about how much I love a Farmer’s Market and all the seasonal fruits and vegetables you can enjoy on the grill. One of my favorites is Grilled Corn On The Cob, and this one sounds particularly fun. Doug's BBQ Corn is made with beer and grilled to perfection. You should try it the next time you’re looking for a great grilled side dish.