friday 5: excuses to throw one last bbq

summer is nearly over. i can smell it in the air & there is a distinct color change currently going on. i know, i know, people always say that california doesn't "do" the change of seasons, but i'm to tell you they are all wrong. although our leaves might not change colors as the fall approaches, there is definitely a change of lighting. call me crazy, but i strongly believe that fall in california has it's own look, it's own color of sunshine if you will. a little more amber with that autumn golden glow. anyway, with the days getting shorter, & the kids back in school, before we know it - halloween will be here & summer officially over. i guess now's the time to get in one last bbq, one last summer celebration. so here are five tasty dishes you can serve at your "goodbye summer" celebration...

1. sizzling country ribs & patio beans: so you're getting two for the price of one today. these are two absolute staples at all of our family bbqs. both are my mom's secret recipes (don't tell her i spilled the beans) & are often requested by both friends and family.

2. spinach tortellini salad: delicious & oh! so pretty to look at. plus, it's one of the few salads that you can actually eat the leftovers - no wilting, you gotta love that!

3. corn & black bean salsa: what's a bbq without the chips & dip? this salsa will ensure that all your chips get eaten. but don't worry, when the chips are all gone, you can keep eating the salsa with your fork as a side dish - it's that good, you won't be able to get enough.

4. cheese bread: don't be scared off by the combination of mayonnaise or worcestershire sauce, i promise it's good.... in that fattening, good thing it's the last bbq of summer kinda way.

5. big, fat & chewy chocolate chip cookies: on their own, they are absolute perfection. but pair with some ice cream & some homemade hot fudge? oh la la! perfection!

hope i've inspired you light up the grill at least one more time this summer!

breaking out the bbq.

planning a bbq this weekend? have i got a recipe for you. although you could definitely cook this in the oven as well... whatever floats your boat.

grilled chicken salsa verde

ingredients:
2 tb. olive oil
5 large cloves garlic, halved
1 small white onion, quartered, separated
1 & 1/2 lbs. tomatillos (about 13)
3 medium to large jalapeno chiles, seeded
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro (10-15 sprigs)
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cumin
12 boneless skinless chicken

directions:
1. in a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. add garlic & onion; cook about 5 minutes stirring constantly until evenly roasted.
2. remove husks & rinse tomatillos into quarters. in large food processor (or blender), place roasted garlic and onion, tomatillos, jalapeno, chiles, cilantro, 1 tsp. of the salt, and the sugar. cover; process about 15 seconds or until almost smooth.
3. pour 2 cups of mixture in to small serving bowl; cover & refrigerate to use as salsa. to make marinade, add remaining 1 tsp. salt and the cumin to remaining mixture in food processor. cover; process 10 seconds.
4. place chicken breasts in 2 resealable ziplock bags. divide marinade between bags. seal bags; shake to evenly distribute marinade and coat chicken. refrigerate at least hours but no more than 24 hours. (i'm lazy & only marinated the chicken for about 2 hours); turn bags over at least once while marinating.
5. take extra salsa out of the fridge... you want it room temperature when you serve it with the chicken.
6. heat bbq. carefully brush oil on grill rack. place chicken on grill over medium heat; discard marinade. cover grill; cook 12-15 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear, turning once. if you decide to cook the chicken in the oven, cook in a aluminum foil covered glass pan at 400 degrees, for about 20-25 minutes, or until the juices run clear & the center is cooked.
7. serve each chicken breast with about 2 tb. of salsa.

* chicken is great on it's own, or cut it up to use in tacos, a salad or fajitas. extra salsa is perfect for dipping chips.

recipe courtesy of pillsbury.
image via flickr.