BBQ Time!

Hi Everyone, Yes, I know, it has been a while. Do not fret though, I have been cooking away and have a couple quick and delicious ideas for you this BBQ season. I cook out a lot in the spring/summer time and there is almost always one of these side dishes available at my cookout. Additionally, if you are going to someones house for a BBQ, you could make and bring one of these great ideas!
First, My famous TACO SALAD. How many of you have a "taco salad" recipe. Many many do. But for me, something about mine makes everyone happy. It's completely delicious and extra, extra simple!

What you'll need:
1 head of lettuce
1 container or grape tomatoes
1 block of SHARP cheddar cheese
1 lb of ground beef
Couple hand fulls of tortilla chips
Vegetable Oil
Vinegar
1 packet of good seasons salad dressing (dry)

Ok, the good seasons is the important part. This is one of the things that makes this salad so delicious. Look in your grocery store on the salad dressing aisle. Usually on the top shelf you will see packet or even a box like this.

this is the good stuff so GET IT!!!

Now, to put this salad together. You simply cook  and cool the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper please, this is a BBQ, not a convent. Let's make this taste good!  Then get your lettuce cut up and in a large bowl. Cut your grape tomatoes in half as to keep them from being too big and add them to your lettuce. Add cooled ground beef and grate your block of sharp cheddar cheese and add it as well. Mix Mix Mix to distribute the ingreedients.
IMPORTANT, the last two items do not add until you are ready to serve. Make the salad dressing according to the package directions using the oil and vinegar. When ready to serve crunch up a few hand fulls of tortilla chips into your salad bowl. Then add ALL of the dressing and toss that salad until everything is mixed well.
All your left with is to enjoy. It is very delicious and I think I will be making one this weekend for a BBQ myself!

The next easy and delicious one I wanted to share is Potato salad. Ok, Fancy smancy potato salads are everywhere and I usually end up not liking them with a bunch of added ingredients.
Though unconventional, my potato salad recipe is easy and definitely delicious.

Ok, my first recommendation would be Yukon Gold Potatoes. Grab a bag of these next time your in the store and use them to make your potato dish, whether it's mashed potatoes or potato salad, it really does add better flavor.
The only other ingreedients you will need are going to be :
Bacon
Scallions
mayo
salt and pepper

That's it. Simply peel and cut up your potatoes and boil them. Drain them and let them cool. While they are cooling, you can cool up your bacon. 6 to 8 pieces is usually enough. I use my microwave bacon cooker to keep it from getting any "burnt" on them.
Crumble up or cut up the bacon and set aside. Slice up some of the green onions (scallions) and set them aside (about half a cup)
When the potatoes have almost cooled all the way throw your bacon and scallions in there with them and add mayo until it is well incorporated. Add some salt and pepper to taste and set it in the fridge to cool. It's simple and completely delicious.


It looks like your ready for the BBQ season and have some ideas for what you can bring to your next cook out. Word to the wise, if the cookout is at my house, you will probably already see one of these dishes! Good luck and happy cooking!