Grilled Summer Sandwich with Garlic-Herb Mayonnaise

This sandwich may not look like anything special, but it is worth it's weight in gold! Who knew that zucchini would be so yummy in a BBQ chicken sandwich. And....oh, man.....the mayo has to be the best thing about it all! I really am not a fan of mayo, but when you add garlic, lemon juice and all kinds of herbs....yeah, I'm sold!

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recipe from my favorite grilling cookbook, Modern Grilling

serves 4-6 depending on the breast size

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4 chicken breasts, pounded flat
1/4 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
4-6 of your favorite sandwich rolls
olive oil
1 zucchini cut in thin slices lengthwise
4-6 slices of Havarti cheese (about 1/4-1/2 pound)
Garlic-Herb Mayo (recipe below)
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Preheat grill to medium
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Barbecue your chicken for about 4 minutes per side, make sure you coat it well with barbecue sauce. When cooked through, remove from grill and set aside.
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Brush a little olive oil on the cut side of each of your rolls and brown on the grill (oiled side down). Grill zucchini at the same time (without olive oil).
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Now put your sandwich together. Layer on your chicken, zucchini and then the Havarti. Place back on the grill to melt the cheese. Watch it closely! Remove from heat and spread on your Garlic-Herb Mayo and enjoy!
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Garlic-Herb Mayonnaise
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3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1-2 cloves of crushed garlic (I love garlic so 2 was perfect for us.)
3-4 drops of Tabasco sauce (optional, we didn't use it)
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Whisk all the ingredients together and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. DELICIOUS!

Ham Steak with Peach-Mustard Glaze

Ham steaks....I've never heard of ham steaks and had no idea where to find them at wal-mart, but my friend, Suzanne, knew exactly where they were. In the middle refrigerated section between the cheese and cereal. Huh, I had no idea I was walking by them for so many years. I've really been missing out! These were awesome!
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ingredients:
(serves 4...we doubled it and had some leftovers)
3 tablespoons peach preserves
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil (I used vegetable oil)
A good pinch of ground dried ginger
1 ham steak (1-1 1/2 pounds)
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Preheat barbecue to medium-high. In a small bowl, combine preserves, mustard powder, oil, and ginger; stir to blend. Pat ham steak dry with paper towels. Make small cuts at 1" intervals around the edges of ham; this prevents curling during cooking.
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Place ham on the BBQ; cook for about 4 minutes- don't close the grill. Turn ham and brush on half of the preserve mixture. Cook for about 4 minutes. Turn ham and brush with remaining preserve mixture. Cook for about 3 minutes, then turn and cook for about 3 more minutes, or until ham is heated through and nicely glazed.
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We grilled some fresh zucchini from our garden to go with our meal. We just sprayed them down with vegetable oil and seasoned with lemon pepper. They stayed on the grill the whole time the ham was cooking. They were so yummy!

Asparagus Pizza

There are very few things that I miss from living in Stockton. One is the Asparagus Pizza that Dante's serves every spring. Oh, how I miss their crust.....but this is as close as I can get to having that pizza.
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What you'll need:

Your favorite pizza dough (I like to use Rhodes frozen dough)

A little olive oil

1 Tbs. cornmeal

A package of McCormick's hollandaise sauce (prepared according to the package)

8-12 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

6 oz. Canadian style bacon

5-8 spears of asparagus, sliced into 1 inch pieces (microwave for 2 min. before adding to the pizza)

1 tomato, slice it, remove seeds and pat it dry with a paper towel (I only get to put tomatoes on half of my pizza...silly Wayne isn't such a huge fan.)

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Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare pan by brushing with a little olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal. Roll or stretch dough to fit your pizza pan. Brush on the hollandaise sauce (I only used half of the sauce. You can save the rest to make this amazingly delicious breakfast pizza http://deliciousdixie.blogspot.com/2010/05/breakfast-pizza.html). Sprinkle on half of your cheese then top with Canadian bacon, asparagus and the remaining cheese.

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Bake for 10 minutes, add the tomato slices, bake for another 10 minutes or until cooked through. I like to take the pizza off the pan for the last 5-10 minutes to add a little crunch to my crust. And there you have it....a pizza that brings back all kinds of happy thoughts for me.

Black Bottom Banana Bars

So this is my first blog post EVER! So if it doesn't look right, you'll know why! Karen I'm afraid you'll have to do without a picture and just be grateful I'm finally posting something. I could go take a picture of the last one in the pan (since I'm so kindly saving it for my hubby), but it's late, I had the urge to post something, and I don't want that urge to go away. But trust me, if you like banana bread or anything of the sort, you'll love these! Here's the recipe:

1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar (I usually reduce by about 1/4 c., especially if the bananas are extra ripe)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour (I did 1 c. white and 1/2 c. wheat flour and didn't notice a difference at all; leave it to me to try and healthify any recipe)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. baking cocoa

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat until thoroughly combined. Blend in the bananas. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide batter in half. Add cocoa to half and mix well. Spread cocoa mixture into a greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Spoon remaining batter on top and swirl with a knife until it looks marbly. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until the bars test done. Cool (or just eat right when they come out of the oven--I mean, who really waits for things to cool anyway?).

My kids enjoy smashing the bananas and stirring up the dry ingredients in recipes like this.

So there you go. I did it!

Bok Choy Cabbage Salad

5 c. bok choy cabbage, chopped into 1" - 1 1/2" pieces
1 bunch green onions, chopped, green & all

DRESSING:

1/2 c. oil
1/4 c. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 c. sugar

Shake well in a bottle before adding to cabbage. Mix cabbage and dressing and refrigerate before serving. Add noodle mixture.

NOODLE MIXTURE: Lightly brown 1/4 cup butter; add 3/4 cup slivered almonds, 2 packages Ramen noodles and sunflower seeds. Mix well and cool. Later add to cabbage.

Chicken with Bok Choy

8 oz. chicken thighs

3/4 tbsp. soy sauce

3/4 tbsp. cornstarch
1 lb. Bok Choy
1/2 c. water
1/4 tsp. salt
1 slice ginger root
4 slices garlic

1 tbsp. oyster sauce (or soy saucer)

1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. water

Slice the chicken and place in a medium mixing bowl or large zilpoc bag; add the soy sauce and cornstarch and mix; set aside for later use.

Heat the wok (or pan) then add 4 tablespoons oil; stir fry Bok Choy with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup water until it becomes limp, remove from heat and set aside.

Heat the wok (or pan) then add 4 tablespoons oil, stir fry the ginger root and garlic until fragrant, stir fry the chicken slices until cooked. Add the remaining indgredients, turn heat to high and stir quickly to mix. Remove and place on top of the Bok Choy (or mix with Bok Choy).

Chocolate Cups

I can't believe I have never posted this on here.

It's like my signature treat!

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ingredients:
1 bag of Wilton's candy melts
You could use almond bark, but then you have to chop it up so that it melts evenly. It's more work, but it's less expensive. You choose.
8 oz package of full fat cream cheese, softened
7 oz container of marshmallow cream
1 teaspoon of vanilla
strawberries or raspberries or blueberries or a little of each
about 36 mini cupcake wrappers
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Melt your chocolate in the microwave according to package directions. Take the mini cupcake wrappers and pour in a small amount of the melted chocolate. Use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate evenly. Make sure you coat it well. Place them on a tray and set in the freezer while you make the cream filling.
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In a mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, marshmallow cream and vanilla until light and fluffy. Put it into a frosting bag or a Ziploc bag with the tip cut off.
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Remove chocolate cups from the freezer and gently tear off the paper wrappers. You may crack a few until you get the hang of it. Then pipe in the cream and top with your berries. In a small baggie, melt a little more chocolate and snip off the tip. Drizzle a little chocolate on top of the berries. And there you have it....a fancy treat that's really not that fancy.

Grilled Sweet Potato Salad

I had planned on making this last night, but couldn't find the recipe that I quickly wrote down on a napkin while sitting at Barnes and Noble. So, I had to run back there today to write it down again. However, this time I came prepared with an actual sheet of paper and a pen. I found it in the Emeril at the Grill cook book. I would have bought it, but there were really only 2 or so recipes that I loved. This is one of them. The other one I wrote down on the back of a receipt and know exactly where it is.

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Anyway, this was a hit in our home. Even Wayne enjoyed it and he doesn't even like sweet potatoes. I think the lime juice and cilantro bring out a whole different flavor. It's pretty yummy!

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2 lbs. sweet potatoes (about 3-4), peeled and cut into 1/2" rounds

1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup very thinly sliced red onions

2 tablespoons feta cheese

Preheat grill to medium-high and oven to 350 degrees.

Place sweet potatoes in a bowl and add 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss well. Place on hot grill until nice grill marks develop, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet (I set a cooling rack on the baking sheet so that the potatoes wouldn't get all soggy while baking), place it in preheated oven and bake until tender - about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature. (I was a little impatient and served it warm...delicious)-

Arrange potato slices on a platter and drizzle the remaining olive oil (I used way less than the 1/4 cup it says to use) then drizzle on the lime juice. Add a little more if needed. Then sprinkle on the cilantro, red onion and feta. Serves 4-6.

Cowboy Cookies

Oh my word! This recipe is to. die. for! It's so delicious, it doesn't need a picture. I bet you can't eat just 10!!!

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 eggs

3 cups chocolate chips

3 cups oats

2 cups flaked coconut

2 cups chopped pecans (optional, but you REALLY REALLY want to add them!)

In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in sugars and vanilla. Add eggs and beat well. Add flour mixture and stir just until combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans. If you haven't already eaten all of the cookie dough, form 2" balls and place onto a greased baking sheet (or sheet with parchment paper...easier clean-up!). Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. It should make about 6 dozen cookies. Now hurry and get them out of the house, because trust me--you WILL eat them all if given the opportunity!

BBQ Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pinch onion powder
• cayenne pepper to taste
• garlic powder to taste
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 6 ears corn, husked and cleaned

Directions

1. Preheat grill for medium-high heat.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the chili powder, oregano, onion powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend in the softened butter. Apply this mixture to each ear of corn, and place each ear onto a piece of aluminum foil big enough to wrap the corn. Wrap like a burrito, and twist the ends to close.
3. Place wrapped corn on the preheated grill, and cook 20 to 30 minutes, until tender when poked with a fork. Turn corn occasionally during cooking.

Spice Cookies with Nutmeg Cream Cheese Frosting

Cookies:

1 box Spice Cake Mix

2 eggs, room temperature

3/4 cup Shortening (I use butter-flavored)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/4 tsp. cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take out the butter and cream cheese for the frosting and place on counter to soften while you make the cookies. In a large bowl, combine eggs, shortening, vanilla and spices; mix well. Pour in cake mix and mix well with a wooden spoon. Dough will be very stiff. Using a small cookie scooper (approx. 1-3/8" stainless steel scoop), form dough into balls and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes (you do not want the edges to be crispy). Let cookies cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet then transfer to a cooling rack.

Frosting:

1-8 ounce brick of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 pound powdered sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/4 tsp. cloves

Combine all ingredients together until smooth. Place frosting in a piping bag with a flower tip and starting at the center of each cookie make a spiral of frosting in the center. Sprinkle each cookie with nutmeg and let frosting set (approx 1 hour).

Makes approx. 48 cookies

Breakfast Pizza

Can you tell that I got a new cookbook?

Now I'm obsessed with trying out all these amazing recipes.

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This one seemed a little odd....scrambled eggs on pizza and pizza for breakfast and you cook it on the barbecue? I am so glad we tried it out! It was a close your eyes and savor every bite kind of good. I even had to call my sister to come over quick so she could ooh and ahh over it too.

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Seriously, you've gotta try this one!

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What you'll need:

Your favorite pizza dough (I used a frozen dough)

Olive oil, for brushing dough

4 eggs

2 tablespoons heavy cream

salt

pepper

2 tablespoons butter

12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

6 oz. sliced Canadian-style bacon

1 tablespoon coarse cornmeal

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Hollandaise sauce (I used the packaged stuff)

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Preheat barbecue to medium. Divide dough into 4 individual balls, then stretch each one to about an 8" thin circle. Brush all circles with olive oil and grill oil side down first, until golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Keep a close eye on them! Remove from grill and set aside.

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Whip the eggs with the heavy cream in a mixing bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, add eggs, and scramble. Be careful to not over cook them as they will continue to cook on the pizza.

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Top grilled dough with some Hollandaise sauce then mozzarella, Canadian bacon, eggs and more cheese. Dust a pan with cornmeal. Place pizzas on the pan and grill for 5-7 minutes to let the cheese melt. Watch it carefully to make sure they don't burn. Sprinkle with chives and serve with extra Hollandaise sauce on the side for dipping. Your taste buds will love you! And so will your family. Just a thought.....I think I'm going to add a little grilled asparagus on top next time.

Spicy Honey Chicken Salad with a Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette

Remember the chicken from yesterday's post? Well, you NEED to save a breast or two to make this salad. The dressing is amazing and super easy!

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For the salad you will need:

2 spicy honey chicken breasts, sliced

2 mangoes, cut into small cubes

2 avocados, cut into small cubes

Romaine Lettuce

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

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Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette:

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/2 tablespoon grated onion

1/3 cup fresh orange juice, I got enough from one large orange

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, I used bottled lime juice

2 tablespoons honey

3/4 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup vegetable oil

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Mix all ingredients in a jar with a tight lid and get to shaking. Or you can put it in a small blender for just a few seconds. Store in the fridge and shake well before each use. Enough for 4 dinner salads or 6 side salads.

Spicy Honey Chicken

Oh man, this may be the best chicken I have ever rubbed my hands all over! And those who know me really well know that I don't touch raw meat---especially Chicken! But...

I did it and

it was totally worth it!!!

I may even do it again.

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5-6 chicken breasts

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

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Rub:

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

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Glaze:

1/2 cup honey

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

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Preheat barbecue to medium. Combine the rub in a bowl. Rinse and pat dry all chicken breasts. Rub them down with vegetable oil then the mixed rub. Make sure they are well coated. Toss on to the grill for about 3-5 minutes per side. While the chicken is cooking, warm the honey in the microwave to loosen it up a bit. Add the vinegar and combine well. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the honey glaze for later. Take the rest and brush on the chicken (both sides) in the final moments of grilling. Add the last 2 tablespoons of honey/vinegar right before serving.

Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers.

3/4 ground turkey breast
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
4 strips bacon (we use turkey bacon)
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
1 tomato cut into 4 slices

In a large bowl, combine the turkey, shallots, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and pepper. Blend in the cheese, then form into 4 burgers.

Cook burgers on outdoor or indoor grill 6-8 mins on each side. When you turn the burgers add the bacon to the grill; cook until crisp, 4 mins on each side. Serve the burgers on the toasted buns with bacon and tomato slices. Enjoy!



[P.S. I love beef so I wasn't very hopeful of how this would taste. However, I couldn't even tell with all the stuff mixed in with the meat. The soy sauce kinda gives it a strong taste that I don't like as well so I put less of that in my meat and more ketchup. These burgers are way moist and a healthy alternative to fatty beef.)