It's Memorial Day Weekend: Let The Grilling Begin!

Although we haven’t fired it up yet this year, I have high hopes for a smoked grilled chicken on the grill this weekend. Nothing beats the flavor of a charcoal grill in my opinion. Memorial Day Weekend has always signaled the beginning of Summer, and with that, the beginning of Grilling Season. If I had my way, Grilling Season would be year round.

To help you get started on the season, whether you use charcoal, gas, or wood for the fire, here are some super delicious recipes for you to try. The first two are from Andres Fernandez,  the Executive Chef at Morgan’s Barbecue in Brooklyn, New York (I would not have guessed that New York would have barbecue restaurants. I thought they were a Southern thang!)

Spicy potato salad:

4# Yukon gold potato

1 cups thinly sliced red onion

2 cups coarsely chopped bread and butter pickles

1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper

10 chopped hard boiled eggs

3 cups mayonnaise

1/2 cup mustard

2 Tbs. Spanish smoked paprika

1 Tbs. ground cayenne pepper

Salt to taste

Wash potatoes thoroughly and cut them in approximately two inch squares.  Place them in a pot with cold salty water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, bring down heat to a simmer and slightly overcook. (The potatoes will gain a perfectly cooked texture once cold.) Place them in a fridge and cool.Once potatoes are cold, mix all ingredients and adjust seasoning to taste.

Leftover brisket sloppy joe:

2 pounds chopped brisket

2 cups ketchup

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 cup water

In a large saucepan, bring water, ketchup, vinegar, molasses and dark brown sugar to a boil. Add spices and with a whisk incorporate them into the sauce. Add the chopped beef and move around until the meat is fully reheated. Serve in a potato bun.

Both of those recipes look delicious! Now, here are some links from around the web to some of my favorite barbecue dishes:

Home Made Potato Salad

Whole Grilled Chicken

Jalapeno Peach Shrimp Skewers

Barbecue Pork Ribs

Barbecued Bacon Green Bean Bundles

Barbecued Salmon

Crispy Barbecue Flavored Onion Rings

Homemade Baked Beans

Homemade Ice Cream

What is your favorite barbecue recipe?