The Cookout

This evening we are having some good friends over for a cookout. I want to spend my time visiting and not cooking so I planned a menu that is quick, easy and yummy - my favorite way to do things! I've decided to do classic barbecue fare with a twist.

So instead of plain burgers, I'm going to make Caprese Burgers (inspired by the Caprese Salads I've been making with fresh basil and tomatoes from the garden). I add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream and a tablespoon of fresh minced basil to each pound of hamburger before I form the patties. Just before removing the burgers from the grill I'll add a slice of fresh mozzarella. Vine ripe red tomatoes will top it off.

This morning I made a compound butter with paprika, salt and pepper for the grilled corn on the cob. A compound butter is just butter with seasonings added in. I mixed together all of my ingredients to taste and rolled it into a cylinder in a piece of wax paper. I put it in the fridge and when I serve the grilled corn-on-the-cob I will add pats of the flavored butter. You can make any kind of meal special with compound butters. Try adding chives or rosemary to a compound butter for steak or honey and cinnamon to top corn bread.

If you want to grill your corn on the cob, peel back the husks making sure to leave them attached. Remove all of the silk and replace the husks. Put the cobs in a large pot of water to soak for a half an hour and then wrap each cob in aluminum foil. Place on a preheated grill for a half an hour.

For the Ranch Style Beans I just use my favorite savory canned beans and add a dollop of salsa. And for the watermelon I made a minted simple syrup to drizzle over top. Simple syrup is easy to make. Simmer one cup of white sugar with one cup of water till the sugar dissolves. I added some fresh mint from the garden. Perfect for a cooling mint julep, ice tea, or Planter's Punch.

Last but not least, Allegra is baking a chocolate bundt cake. She is not a fan of frosting so she adds a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top. I just bought some of Nestle's La Lechera caramel sauce. Yummy! I think I will add pool of it to the plates before we place the cake slices on top.

So there it is. I have company coming so I gotta scoot.

Take care . . .