Four Recipe Ideas for Your Summer Cookout

With the temperature heating up, the excitement for a delicious summer cookout with family and friends is also getting high. To get you started on your quest for the best summer party, here are four tasty recipes perfect to better enjoy the flavor and fun of summer.

1. Memphis-Style BBQ Ribs

Summer is always the perfect season for BBQ, so a barbecue classic should be on your top choices for a summer cookout menu. Get your pellet smoker or grills ready for a fun grilling time with your family and friends. Find more details here for the best pellet smokers in town.

Ingredients:

10-pound baby back ribs (makes about 4-5 racks)
10 tablespoons Memphis-style barbecue dry rub
1 ½ cups Barbecue Sauce

Directions:

1. While waiting for the oven to preheat (275 °F), line a roasting pan with aluminum foil. Set aside for later use.

2. Pat dry the rinsed ribs using paper towels. Remove silver skins if there are any.

3. Trim ribs into 4-5 sections. You may also keep it as it is.

4. Using Memphis-style barbecue rub (1 tablespoon per pound), season ribs liberally.

5. Place the prepared ribs on the roasting pan and cover it over with aluminum foil.

6. Bake for 5 hours in the preheated oven.

7. After baking, remove from oven and brush the baked ribs with ¾ cup barbecue sauce. Sprinkle with more barbecue rub if desired.

8. Place it back again to the oven and cook for 2 hours uncovered or until the ribs become tender.

9. On a preheated grill (350°-400°F), baste the baked ribs with a ¾ cup of barbecue sauce until it becomes darkened and sweet. Grill for about 10-15 minutes.

10. Serve with extra sauce and traditional barbecue side dishes.

2. Southern Pimento Cheeseburger

How about adding a little twist to traditional cheeseburgers by using grilled Texas Toast? This Southern-inspired pimento cheeseburger recipe will surely be a favorite on your next summer cookout.

Ingredients:

8 slices of Texas Toast from New York Bakery
4 leaves lettuce
Pimento cheese
8-ounces cream cheese, softened
8-ounces pimentos, diced
½ cup mayonnaise
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
A dash of Tabasco
salt and pepper

Directions:

Mix and beat mayonnaise and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
Add cheddar cheese and mix until combined. Then, add the pimentos.
Season with Tabasco, pepper, and salt.
Prepare the grill by rubbing it with an oil-soaked paper towel.
Pat and sprinkle the burger meat with salt and pepper on both sides.
Under medium heat, grill the burger meat on the rack for about 4-5 minutes.
Flip the burger and add the pimento. Around this time, place bread on the grill and close the lid.
After turning the bread once, remove everything from the rack.
Add some lettuce on one piece of bread, then the burger meat. Close the burger up with another Texas Toast bread.

3. Fried Mac and Cheese Balls

This recipe would go on well with any main course cooks. Together with your family and friends, enjoy some time making these crisp fried mac and cheese balls with creamy filling inside.

Ingredients:

• 3-cups macaroni and cheese

• 2-cups or more vegetable oil

• 2 large beaten eggs

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

• 1 ½ cups Panko

Directions:

1. Refrigerate macaroni and cheese for 3-4 hours or until firm.

2. Using a large stockpot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.

3. Roll macaroni and cheese into balls, about 1 ¼ to 1 ½-inch size.

4. Dip balls one at a time into eggs, then dredge in Panko. Press to coat.

5. Place the prepared balls to the Dutch oven and cook until evenly crispy and golden for 3-4 minutes. Transfer to plate lined with a paper towel.