Great Last Minute Sides for a BBQ

Grilling season is here!  Here are some delicious sides... easy to make... and a perfect accompaniment for whatever you're grilling.







Here are some suggestions....

Salad - Make it a green salad...Lettuce is in season.. all kinds... so mix it up... make a big bowl.. it's not only healthy but delicious too.

Make a favorite dressing.. why buy bottles dressing when it takes only minutes to make your own? Here's a link to the Salad Dressing Collection Post... 9 Terrific Salad Dressing Recipes for Green Salad

Fresh Vegetables - go to those fabulous Farm Stands and Farmer's Markets... fresh veggies are wonderful!  Steam them, grill them, oven roast them, even sauté them... so many ways to make them... here is an excellent post with tips and instructions for Cooking Fresh Asparagus

Pre-Made Salads - Always a perfect side to BBQ.. there are a plenty of salads to choose from... from Potato to Three-Bean... and of course the timeless favorite... Macaroni Salad... here's a link to a recent post ...Salads for Every Occasion

Deviled Eggs - these are a great "make ahead" addition to your menu.. make them Classic or Zesty.. either way they are sure to be first to go.

Boston Baked Beans... easy to make.. it really makes itself.. and it can be made ahead... a great go-together with grilled franks.

Grilled Vegetables - including Grilled Corn on the Cob ... easy to make... always perfect with whatever you are serving.. just click the links for easy how-to's

Hush Puppies - they cook quickly and are a nice change from ordinary fries

Cheesy Corn - a great dish with BBQ ribs and coleslaw

Baked Potatoes - always terrific along side a steak and just about anything else you grill... loaded or plain.. they're always a hit.. click the link for a how-to to make the Perfect Baked Potato

Grilled Cheesy Potato Packets - another quick and easy recipe with tips on short cuts to make it even easier.

Seasoned Oven Browned Potatoes - a perfect potato side if your grill is not big enough to accommodate the grilling of the meat and the potatoes..

Brown Rice with Mushrooms Garlic and Onions - Brown rice is not only healthy but has a wonderful .. almost.. nutty flavor... a perfect backdrop for the mushrooms, garlic and onions... great with Shish Kabob, steak or any other grilled meat...

9 Terrific Salad Dressings for Green Salad

Big bowls of green salad just seem to go with grilled meats... a perfect side dish for suppers and Backyard BBQs... easy to prepare ... they can be made in advance... so there's no need to be stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying the glorious summer weather.

While we like some bottled dressing.. nothing compares to homemade dressings... they too, can be prepared in advance and they're easy to make... so at your next BBQ... why not give your guests a variety to choose from...

I hope you try them all!






Raspberry Champagne Vinaigrette - a light dressing with a hint of fruit and champagne

Spicy Brown Mustard Vinaigrette - this bold vinaigrette is perfect when serving steaks.. in fact I use it for my Steak and Herb Roasted Potato Salad

Warm Bacon and Shallot Dressing - this is a dressing I usually serve with spinach salad.. but it is absolutely wonderful on any salad.. it is very similar to the one Ruby Tuesday's had on their salad bar years ago

Dijon Vinaigrette - Dijon mustard is wonderful in salad dressings... a very popular dressing

Creamy Italian Dressing - loaded with flavor... Italian seasonings.. and of course garlic and onion..

Russian Dressing - horseradish gives this dressing just a hint of bite...

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing - an ever popular classic dressing

Spicy Ranch Dressing - a little twist from the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.. this one has a little zip to it.

Creamy Honey Dressing - this sweet and creamy dressing is made with fat free yogurt.. a healthy and delicious alternative to other creamy dressings.

Cucumber Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

This recipe for Cucumber Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette comes from my son, Erik.  He served it with a meal he prepared for friends and it was such a hit, he informed me it was "blog worthy"... and so it was!

TIPS

He places cucumbers in bowl lightly salt to pull some of the moisture out of the cucumbers so they absorb the dressing more also they tend to have a less blank flavor.

Slice relatively thin ...  he likes the slightly large shape to make the dish look interesting however he finds it best to try and avoid the slices being too thick because a chunk of onion can be a bit much.

Don't skip the juice from an orange... this step is not only going to give a really nice, fresh flavor... it is also going to preserve the color of the cucumbers and it cuts the fat way down. 

Use leftover Champagne Vinaigrette for green salads... it's delicious! 

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Recipe:  Cucumber Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

All you need:

2 cucumbers

1 large onion
1 tablespoon paprika
dash of salt
1 orange

 Ingredients for the dressing:

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

All you need to do:

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, garlic, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified.

Put dressing aside in fridge

Peel cucumbers and slice thin.   Place cucumbers in bowl lightly salt.

Peel and halve the onion and slice relatively thin.  Toss the onions and cucumber together in a large bowl.

Remove dressing from fridge.

Cut orange in and squeeze both halves into separate bowl, remove any seeds that fall into bowl.

Take 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons (depends how much dressing you want on your salad) and place it into a bowl with orange juice.  Stir with a fork until blended.

Now toss dressing with cucumbers and onions.... make sure to thoroughly toss to coat everything.

Optional:  For a slightly stronger citrus flavor and a pop of color grate some orange zest and toss with salad (recommended).

Toss about half tablespoon of paprika into salad.

Serve in individual salad bowls and sprinkle with remaining paprika. (it helps make sure everyone gets just enough paprika and preserves your paprika.

Recipe: Thousand Island Dressing

My Mother made Thousand Island Dressing all the time while I was growing up… in fact … when I was first married my hubby went to buy some and I was horrified that he would even consider buying it and not make it…. it’s quick and easy and so much better than the bottled stuff.

Thousand Island Dressing is similar to Russian Dressing.. it also has mayo, chili sauce, shallot and sweet pickle relish… but that’s where the similarities end… Russian has more zing … Thousand Island has a milder flavor.

I know there are lots of variations.. this one is ours… I’ve tweaked it a bit from my Mother’s version… with the addition of sweet pickle relish and pimentos…

TIPS

I usually use two hard boiled eggs when I make this quantity… you can use only one if you prefer.

I use a shallot because of the mild taste… if you don’t have a shallot.. you can substitute onion.. but I would try and use a sweet onion…. You will need about 1-2 tablespoons of chopped onion.

It’s great on salads and sandwiches…

Although it tends to be a bit runny for a spread on a sandwich… try it anyway… just make sure you put it in the middle of the bread… it probably will still seep out the sides… but it really is so good.. it’s worth the sticky fingers.






Recipe: Thousand Island Dressing

All you need:

1 cup Hellman’s Mayo
2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
½ cup Heinz Chili Sauce
1 medium sized shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped pimento
1 heaping tablespoon sweet pickle relish
Salt and white pepper to taste

All you need to do:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until needed.

Recipe: Russian Dressing

My Mother made Russian Dressing regularly…. Although her recipe differs slightly from the one I’ve been using in recent years.. the overall taste is very similar… I like my Russian Dressing with a little bite to it… and have added a bit of horseradish to my recipe as well as sour cream and a little pickle relish…. She always chopped hard-boiled egg into hers… I didn’t add it to this recipe.

This recipe is a slight variation to the famous Zingerman recipe… I used shallots instead of onion… I used sweet pickle relish instead of dill pickle… I used only a few drops of hot sauce and a splash of Worcestershire Sauce otherwise the recipe is pretty much the same as theirs.

TIPS

Most recipes use onion.. I use a shallot… I like the taste of shallots better.. they aren’t as strong in flavor as onions… you can use either.

I used horseradish sauce instead of straight horseradish… the sauce has a smoother flavor.. you can find it by the mustards or by the deli in the grocery store.

You can find chili sauce by the ketchup in the grocery store… I use Heinz brand.

I use Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise… I don’t recommend you use salad dressing.

I use curly parsley not Italian flat parsley for this.

This recipe is so easy and so good.. after tasting it.. you won’t buy it again.






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Recipe: Russian Dressing

All you need:

1 small shallot, finely chopped
¾ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup chili sauce
1 tablespoon pickle relish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon dry mustard
A few drops of Tabasco
Splash of Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ teaspoons horseradish sauce
3 tablespoons sour cream
Splash of lemon juice
½ teaspoon sugar

All you have to do:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

Refrigerate until serving.

Recipe: Spicy Brown Mustard Vinaigrette

I love mustard… on sandwiches, in dressings and sauces… it just adds a really pleasant dimension to food.

There are many Mustard Vinaigrette recipes out there… some even have rave reviews… I’ve tried my share… I think most overdo the oil or the vinegar isn’t just right… this recipe is a basic mustard vinaigrette… nothing fancy or difficult.. no exotic ingredients…it worked perfectly with my Steak and Herb Roasted Potato Salad.

TIPS

Use a good spicy brown mustard.. this is not the place to cheap out… likewise with the olive oil.

This quick and easy recipe goes together quickly … just refrigerate until well chilled.






Recipe: Spicy Brown Mustard Vinaigrette

All you need:

1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
¼ cup red wine vinegar
¾ cup olive oil
Pinch of salt
2 turns on the pepper mill

All you have to do:

In a bowl, whisk the mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Whisk in the oil.

Refrigerate until well chilled.

Recipe: Spicy Ranch Dressing

This Spicy Ranch Dressing is a variation of my Buttermilk Ranch Dressing… a few added spices to add a bit of zip… perfect for everything from salads to veggies dippers and more.

Homemade dressings are not only easy.. but you can also control what is and isn’t in your food. .. and much like my seasoning recipes.. you control the heat.

TIPS

Use my quantities as a guide… my dressing has a bit of zip… so if you like a lot of zip.. start with my quantities and taste it… then add additional spices to your taste.

Measure the buttermilk, mayo and sour cream to the recipe… don’t make the same mistake as I’ve done before… not careful with the measuring.. it will get the ratio out of balance and the taste will be off.

I used McCormick Hot Mexican-Style Chili Powder… you should be able to find it in the grocery store. You can substitute any chili powder of your choice.

I “sprinkled” the cayenne over the top… twice… I suggest you start with that and go from there when adding more heat.

I used chives.. I like the light onion flavor… if you have to substitute something for the chives… finely chopped shallots would be my first choice… about the same quantity as the chives are listed as.

Whole milk buttermilk does give the best flavor and texture… you can use a lower fat buttermilk but the taste will be slightly different…. same goes for the sour cream.

Substituting another brand of mayo for the Hellman’s mayo will change the taste as well. I would not recommend using Miracle Whip.

I like to use white pepper instead of black pepper, if you don’t have it, you can substitute black pepper for it.

Once you try homemade salad dressings you won’t go back to store bought.






Recipe: Spicy Ranch Dressing

All you need:

1 cup whole milk buttermilk
2/3 cup Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise
2/3 cup sour cream
1 ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 ¼ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
1 ½ teaspoon paprika
1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
Dash of cayenne
About 5 drops hot sauce
Salt to taste
White pepper to taste

All you need to do:

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Recipe: Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is a family favorite… the recipe is quick and easy … and by making it you’ll know exactly what’s in it…. no unpronounceable ingredients here.

I used the real deal here… whole milk buttermilk, sour cream and Hellman’s Mayo… I don’t like to drown my salad in dressing so I figure I’ll use the regular ingredients…

TIPS

If you want to lower the fat… you can use lower fat alternatives for any one or all of the main ingredients.

I use fresh herbs… since I use them so much…. I always have parsley and chives in the refrigerator or freezer… I don’t use dill as much and use that dried…. Personally I think dried parsley and dried chives are tasteless and don’t use them… but if you prefer .. you can substitute dried for fresh…

To convert the fresh herb quantity to the dried quantity … see my post about Substituting Dried herbs for Fresh.

Adjust the seasoning to your tastes… but let it refrigerate about 30 minutes to an hour before you add additional seasoning… give the flavors a chance to set.

This dressing is also delicious on baked potatoes.

I hope you try this!






Recipe: Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

All you need:

1 cup whole milk buttermilk
2/3 cup Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise
2/3 cup sour cream
1 ¼ teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
3 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
¼ teaspoon dried dill (optional)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

All you have to do:

Combine the buttermilk, sour cream and mayo in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Add remaining ingredients.

Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe: Creamy Italian Dressing

I make things from scratch more and more… especially easy things like this Italian dressing…. I like knowing what’s in the foods we eat…. no preservatives or additives… makes such a difference…

This Creamy Italian Dressing… has a bit of sweet and a bit of tang… garlic, onions and dried herbs… it’s a snap to make… in fact.. I make it in my mini chopper… so quick and easy.

TIPS

I use shallots.. the onion taste is definitely there.. but light and not overpowering.. however.. you can substitute any type of onion you prefer… red onion will be very potent… and sweet onions are probably the best substitution.

I use Hellman’s mayonnaise…. you can use any brand you prefer.. just keep in mind… the taste will vary and therefore the dressing will vary ..

I use McCormick Italian Seasonings… if I don’t make my own mixture… I find it’s the best commercially prepared Italian Seasoning mix.

This dressing will thicken further after sitting a while in the fridge.

Serving Suggestion

I like this on macaroni.. a perfect change to a regular macaroni salad… a creamy Italian pasta salad… serve it with just the dressing on the macaroni or add things like halved cherry tomatoes, chopped pepperoni or salami and diced cheese… provolone or mozzarella.

So here is my Creamy Italian Dressing …






Recipe: Creamy Italian Dressing

All you need:

2-3 good sized shallots, peeled
1 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 heaping tablespoon sour cream
1 ½ teaspoons Italian Seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
About 5 turns on the pepper mill

All you have to do:


Put the shallots into a processor and pulse until very finely chopped, almost minced.

Add all the other ingredients and pulse until smooth and well blended.

Recipe: Raspberry Champagne Vinaigrette

As I mentioned in my post for Spinach Salad with Crispy Goat Cheese Medallions…. this vinaigrette uses raspberry champagne vinegar…. which is just fabulous… you can find it in grocery stores or online.

I used Dijon mustard to emulsify the vinaigrette… you can use a beaten egg yolk if you prefer… the result will have a clearer and stronger raspberry taste.

This recipe will make enough to drizzle on about 4 salads. I like to serve it in little pitchers so each person can use however much they like.






Recipe: Raspberry Champagne Vinaigrette

All you need:

3 tablespoons raspberry champagne vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
Sugar to taste (I used ¼ teaspoon)
Salt to taste
About 3 turns on the pepper mill

All you need to do:

Whisk together all ingredients.

Recipe: Dijon Vinaigrette

This is a basic Dijon Vinaigrette recipe. Basically it has 3 ingredients plus salt and pepper… its simplicity goes so well with so many salads… it’s quick and easy to make… and sooo delicious!

This makes 4 servings.






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Recipe: Dijon Vinaigrette

All you need:



¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste



All you need to do:

Combine olive oil and red wine vinegar in a small bowl.

Add the Dijon mustard and whisk until well incorporated.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe: Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon and Shallot Dressing

As I’ve mentioned before… I love salad Spinach Salad… and this one is my basic Spinach Salad with a delicious Warm Bacon and Shallot Dressing drizzled over it… it’s very simple… fresh spinach, sliced hard-boiled egg, sliced mushrooms, and bacon bits…. it’s fabulous with a variety of dressings but this one is one of the best.

TIPS

I used one hard-boiled egg, two sliced mushrooms and about one tablespoon finely chopped bacon per serving.

I chopped the bacon in my mini chopper to get it very fine.

See my post for Making Bacon in the Oven for a quick and easy method for cooking bacon.

See my post for tips for Making Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs …. eggs without a gray ring around the yolk.

Chop the shallots and garlic together in a mini chopper to get them chopped very fine and well mixed.

This salad with Warm Bacon and Shallot Dressing is very simple to make… and delicious… with a light onion flavor and a hint of garlic… you will fall in love with it.









Recipe: Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon and Shallot Dressing

All you need:

Fresh Spinach
White mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
3 strips of bacon, cooked and finely chopped
2 tablespoons reserved bacon grease
2 large shallots, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar or to taste
¼ cup olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper (about 6 turns on the pepper mill)

All you need to do:

Put a generous amount of fresh spinach on a plate.

Lay 1 sliced hard-boiled egg and 2 sliced mushrooms on top of each plate of fresh spinach. Set aside.

Cook the bacon until crispy either in the oven or a skillet.

Drain the bacon on paper towels.

Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease and discard the rest.

Finely chop the bacon (using a mini food processer is easiest).

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon bacon bits on top of each salad and set aside.

In a medium skillet… add the reserved bacon grease.

Over medium heat, cook the finely chopped shallots and garlic.

Cook until shallots are soft… about 3 minutes.

Add the red wine vinegar to the skillet and deglaze the skillet.

Add mustard and sugar and whisk to mix…. cook for an additional two minutes.

Remove from the heat.

Add the skillet mixture to a medium heat resistant bowl.

Whisk in the oil and black pepper.

Drizzle dressing over each salad.

Serve immediately.

Recipe: Spinach Salad Dressing – Magic Pan Copycat

This is the salad dressing recipe for spinach salad that was popular in a restaurant called the Magic Pan… the recipe is a basic oil, vinegar dressing with tarragon and Dijon mustard… a really wonderful dressing you can use on most any salad.

The picture shows a serving for 4.... the recipe will make about 8 servings, depending on the size salads you make.

Enjoy!



Recipe: Spinach Salad Dressing – Magic Pan Copycat

All you need:

½ cup tarragon wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
Salt to taste (about ½ teaspoon)
Pepper to taste (about 5 turns of a pepper mill)
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 cup vegetable oil

All you need to do:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the tarragon wine vinegar, dried tarragon, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.

Whisk in oil.

Recipe: Creamy Honey Dressing

This is wonderful and goes with the Turkey Salad with Honey Almonds…. It can go with so much more… but it was written specifically for that salad… a truly delicious Yoplait recipe.

Enjoy!

Creamy Honey Dressing Recipe

All you need:

½ cup Yoplait Fat Free plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice

All you need to do:

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl.

Makes 4 servings.