Three Fun Ideas for your next Summer Barbecue

Hosting a barbecue soon? Here are three fun ideas to make it fresh and delicious:

  1. Make your own BBQ sauce. Not only are homemade BBQ sauces quick and easy, they taste better than store-bought sauces. (If we do say so ourselves.) Using dried fruit such as apricots, prunes and dates help reduce the amount of added refined sugar in a typical sauce and add a complex sweetness that only quality dried fruit can supply – and that’s actually not just us talking! A Google search for “homemade bbq sauce dried fruit” has over 41 million results! We love this Tangy Apricot BBQ sauce recipe by Foodworth Feed, this Easy Prune BBQ sauce recipe from CaliforniaPrunes and the sauce from our very own Chef Jeff Anderson’s Fire Roasted Shrimp with Apricot Habanero Glaze is delicious on any grilled protein.
  1. Grill your fresh fruit. Yep, you read that right! Grilling summer-fresh fruits such as pineapple, nectarines, and peaches result in a rich caramel sweetness that will appeal to just about everyone. Grilled pineapple on skewers with other grilled veggies like red bell peppers and red onions are deelish! Or, serve grilled fruit, still warm from the grill, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and for an extra touch, top with some homemade granola and a sprig of mint. 
  1. Serve anything but boring salads. Cold and crisp, salads are a delicious addition to a summer barbecue. Prevent a soggy, wilted salad by using a heartier lettuce, like fresh, crisp Romaine as your base. Mix in your favorite summer vegetables,(raw or grilled) a simple vinaigrette and add a burst of tropical flavor and crunch with our very own  Mariani Hawaiian BBQ Toppers. Pro tip: Keep your salad inside (and in the AC!) until right before you are ready to eat.  

Happy Summer!