THE FIRST OFFICIAL COOK-OUT OF THE SEASON

Is anybody else as excited as I am about cooking out?  Finally the weather is getting warm enough where we have all started to think about grilled food and eating outdoors.  We had a busy day spreading about 15 yards of mulch around our plant beds this past saturday.  We enlisted the help of my 7 year old nephew (I know, I know child labor laws..).  He was really a good worker!  After they finished I invited my brother and sister n'law and thier kids over to our house for the first official cook-out of the season.  Here is what was on my menu:  Grilled Balsamic & Rosemary Porkchops, Italian Bread Salad, Fresh Green Bean Salad with Shallots, Bacon & Blue Cheese.  We washed it all down with some ice cold beers and the official summer cocktail: Spiked Lemonade!  Since there is always room for dessert I made a quick Open Faced Strawberry Shortcake.  This meal was quick and easy to make. I actually came up with it based on what I had in my pantry, fridge and freezer.  Sometimes spur of the moment dinner parties turn out to be some of the best!

PORTOBELLO BURGERS WITH PESTO, PROVOLONE, AND ROASTED PEPPERS

This week has been a week of smashed cameras and  "dead" computers.  Basically technology has not been on my side this week.  But...I am back and I have lots of new recipes to share!  The first couple of posts will be without pics as I had not gotten a new camera yet when I made these recipes.  I have now gotten a new and improved camera and I am really psyched about posting the new pics I have taken of great recipes!

Last week I made the best Portobello Burgers with Pesto, Provolone and Roasted Peppers ever!  I found the recipe in my June/09 issue of Bon Appetit.  I will tell you I followed this recipe to the "t"!  This is weird for me because I always change or add something in a recipe.  This sandwich was just too good as is....so I did not change a thing.  This sandwich was absolutely delicious!  The mix of the meaty portobello with the melted cheese, pesto and roasted red peppers was awesome!  Place all those ingredients and a well made ciabatta roll that is slightly toasted and you have got yourself a gourmet sandwich that is for sure!  This is a perfect summer sandwich to serve along side your burgers for those vegetarian family and friends.  Even if you are not a vegetarian this sandwich really has great flavor and you will not miss the red meat at all!