One of the things I love about summer is that whether you’re visiting friends in North Dakota, spending the weekend with relatives in Georgia, or staying close to home for a kids’ soccer game, you can pretty much guarantee someone will host a barbecue. A barbecue is such an easy way to entertain. It’s leisurely, relaxed, and everyone has a good time. Even Red Sox vs. Yankees debates are good-spirited!

We lounge by the pool, kick our shoes off at the lake, play horseshoes, and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. The best part, of course, is the food. There’s something about a meal that’s cooked over an open flame that just can’t be beat. From multi-level gas grills with built in lighting to old-school charcoal kettle grills, the taste of summer is best experienced outdoors.

Our hope with this issue of RecipeLion Magazine is that we can share the love of a summer barbecue with you. These are the dishes we make every summer when the blue skies and the birds are singing. In fact, I’ve got the Grilled Tuna Steaks with Grape and Caper Salsa planned for the grill this coming weekend!

You’ll find more than 30 delicious summer barbecue recipes in this edition, with something for everyone. You’ll find beer-Soaked Kebabs, Basil Watermelon Salad, and Lemon-Garlic Grilled Zucchini, plus desserts ideal for helping you cool down on a hot day. 

Here are a few of the highlights ahead:

Sizzling Grilled Meats & Mains

We love a good burger on the grill as much as anyone, but there are so many more possibilities. From tuna to chicken and bacon to Brussels sprouts, if you can keep it from falling into the flame, you can grill it! 

• Beer-Soaked Steak Kebabs: This Beer-Soaked Steak Kebabs recipe involves marinating cubes of steak in a mixture of beer, lime juice, sugar, mustard, Sriracha sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika before grilling them on skewers with vegetables for a delicious and hearty meal.
• Grilled Tuna Steaks with Grape and Caper Salsa: Along with a dash of lemon juice, we’re adding capers and grapes! Capers have the brininess of green olives combined with a subtle floral tartness that lends it a rather bold flavor profile. Grapes, on the other hand, are brimming with that juicy, sweet-tart taste that complements the lemon juice and capers. This combination is refreshing and elegant, yet not overpowering enough to drown out the exquisite taste of grilled tuna.
• Soy Sauce Burgers with Coleslaw: These Soy Sauce Burgers with Coleslaw blend together the fine taste of Asian sauces coupled with a spicy slaw on top or on the side. This recipe is rich but equally refreshing, and it’s a really fun way to make your burger nights extra special!

Fresh & Flame-Kissed Veggie Delights

The garden is a fabulous place to find a new barbecue favorite. Marinated, grilled, chilled… there are plenty of ways to enjoy what’s growing in your garden. You don’t even have to take the vegetables inside for some of these dishes. It’s truly a garden-to-grill experience!

• Roasted Beet, Peach, and Goat Cheese Salad: If you need something to brighten up your day, try making this Roasted Beet, Peach, and Goat Cheese Salad! Not only will you get a vibrant and healthy dish, but you’ll be able to enjoy varying levels of sweetness — that’s hard to resist!
• Basil-Watermelon Salad: Salty and sweet, this Basil Watermelon Salad recipe is a perfect accompaniment to a main dish or a great light lunch served on its own. The sweet, juicy watermelon is combined with fresh basil for a burst of flavor. This recipe allows for lots of creativity with ingredients which makes it perfect for BBQ’s too.
• Lemon-Garlic Grilled Zucchini: Transform your barbecue into a culinary experience with these Lemon-Garlic Grilled Zucchini spears. This simple yet flavorful recipe combines the freshness of lemon, the richness of garlic, and the smokiness of the grill to create a perfect side dish for your summer gatherings.

Grilled & Chilled Summer Sweets

Hot summer days call for fresh fruit. Grilled or chilled, fruit is a refreshing way to wind down your barbecue.

• Grilled Watermelon and Pineapple Skewers: If you haven’t yet enjoyed fruits like pineapple and watermelon on the grill, you’re missing out! Fresh watermelon and pineapple chunks are the stars of the show in this delightful dessert. And with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar, you can satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling guilty. Or, balance out the sweetness by serving your Grilled Watermelon and Pineapple Skewers with feta cheese for a more savory dish.
• 5-Minute Grape Sorbet: Some of the best dishes can take more than a day to make, while others only need a couple of minutes — like this 5-Minute Grape Sorbet! You only need four ingredients for this quick, refreshingly good frozen dessert that can cool off any hot day!
• Mouthwatering Melon Sorbet: When the hot days have you looking for something delicious to help you cool down, whip up a refreshing batch of homemade melon sorbet! Sweet, refreshing, and lighter than expected. We really love the full-body flavor of melon in this light, icy form.

I hope you enjoy this issue and get to try some exciting and fun new recipes!

Happy cooking, happy summer—and happy eating!

Christy Page
Editor & Publisher

P.S. Please enjoy this issue of RecipeLion Magazine, and let me know what you think about it by commenting below with your feedback! Your input is valuable to us and can help us make improvements.