pleasing your palate | Memorial Day side dishes

It's a week until the official start of summer begins (although it's been blistering already here in the bluegrass....).  I know that we will all be grilling out this weekend so below are some ideas for easy grilling sides and make-ahead desserts!

baked beans

beer cheese (for those burgers!)

frozen berry cake

grilled asparagus

 

grilled corn

 grilled potato packs

lemonade

pasta salad

popsicles

 ribboned asparagus salad

What do you have at your Memorial Day cook-ou?

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bourbon onion jam

So one day, I had this AMAZING burger at a restaurant (which I will share later this month during burger week).  Part of that burger was bourbon onion jam which I promptly went home and made.  We ate it on EVERYTHING--sandwiches, burgers, baked items, grilled items, etc.  I'm certain this will be your next favorite condiment.

 {bourbon onion jam}

one year ago:  shaved asparagus pizza

bourbon onion jam
from salted and styled

makes 3 cups

2 large sweet onions, finely diced
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoons dried thyme
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup bourbon (your favorite)

1. Heat a large pan over medium heat; add butter and heat until melted.
2. Add onions and thyme cooking until onions are translucent.
3. Add remaining ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
5. Cool and store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
6. Put on sandwiches or over grilled items.  Use your imagination!

Pictured above the bourbon onion jam is on ranch baked pork chops (ranch dressing poured on pork chops and baked for 30 minutes or until done).

Have you ever had something at a restaurant and went home to make it?  It's not my first time and certainly won't be the last!  I made garlic butter lima beans and Cajun garlic bread from restaurant inspiration before! 

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roasted asparagus with lemon feta vinaigrette

I made this dish for my mom for Mother's Day this year, and she raved about it as she ate it.  It's right up our alley--easy, simple, and delicious!  Plus, we used some foods from our local farmer's market which made it even better.

{roasted asparagus with lemon feta vinaigrette}

roasted asparagus with lemon feta vinaigrette
from GI 365

makes 2 servings

2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon mustard, Dijon or spicy
1/4 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons feta, crumbled
1 pound asparagus (local), washed and trimmed
4 eggs (local)

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, and mustard.  Drizzle the olive oil slowly, whisking all the while until the dressing is emulsified.  Set the dressing nd feta aside.
3. Lay asparagus on a single layer of a parchment covered baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  
4. Roast 5-8 minutes or until tender.
5. Meanwhile, fry eggs to desired doneness (I like mine over medium).
6. Place asparagus on a plate, top with eggs, dressing and feta.
7. Enjoy!

Your eyes aren't deceiving you--those yolks are ORANGE!  They were so delicious too!  How are you eating your local produce like asparagus?

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seared steak with roasted poblanos and onions

With this warmer HOT weather, I'm trying to keep my meals light and simple.  This Spanish dish of a steak covered with paprika and seared with peppers and onions with lime juice sounded refreshing and delicious.  It was!  We had this as our Cinco de Mayo meal last week!

 {seared steak with roasted poblanos and onions}

 {just a squeeze of lime juice and ready to eat!}

seared steak with roasted poblanos and onions
from myrecipes.com

makes 4 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 steaks
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 onion, wedged
2 poblanos, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch strips (if you want more heat leave some seeds)
4 lime wedges
sea salt chunks

1. Heat a cast iron skillet with oil.
2. Coat both sides of the steaks with paprika and black pepper.
3. Sear steaks in skillet until desired doneness.
4. Add onions wedges and peppers browning until caramelized on one side. 
5. Cook until tender.
6. Place onions and peppers on a plate.  
7. Top with steaks.
8. Sprinkle sea salt chunks on steak and serve with lime wedge.

What kind of foods do you like to eat when the weather is hot?  I lean towards lighter food with tons of fresh vegetables.

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