Here’s to cooking outdoors!

There’s nothing like a summer barbeque to have fun AND lighten up your kitchen workload.

No pans, no fuss, no muss. Cook your entire meal on the grill with not a single dirty pan – that’s a win when you hate doing dishes, like me.

If you don’t grill all year ’round, it’s definitely time to drag that grill out, refill your propane, or stock up on charcoal and lighter fluid and get outside!

Connections to childhood

I confess there’s something nostalgic about a charcoal barbeque.

The aroma reminds me of being a kid, running through the woods or riding my bike.

We’d have “cookouts” – which meant visits from family when my cousins and I could get into mischief because the parents were busy catching up with each other.

And of course, there would be all kinds of delicious food that would seem to last for days.

Keeping it simple

Grilling is even easier with Pinch of Fancy spice blends. No need to worry about how much of this or that, just grab a blend and go.

Here are some ideas to get you started!

• Burgers: Add 1 Tablespoon of BBQ Rub for a sweet smoky depth of flavor or 2 teaspoons of Berbere for a balance of heat and sweet to a pound of ground beef.
• Ribs: Marinate ribs in the BBQ Rub overnight before you toss the rack on the grill.
• Chicken/Pork: Rub any of my blends into the meat before you toss the meat on the grill for a new flavor profile.
• Corn on the cob: Sprinkle the Berbere spice or BBQ rub on your corn before grilling.
• Zucchini and summer squash: Drizzle with a little olive oil and add a couple dashes of Ras el Hanout for a flavorful twist.
• Baked Beans: Start by adding a tablespoon of BBQ rub to your recipe before you bake. You may decide to add more.
• Fresh tomatoes: Slice, sprinkle with olive oil, kosher salt, and Berbere spice.

Lastly, I’ve shared my yogurt sauce recipe with you below – it’s great on salmon, chicken and vegetables.

Also great for a crudité or chip dip and delicious in a gyro or shawarma wrap too.