One thing I love about the summertime is a good ol’ BBQ. There’s honestly nothing I love more than hanging out with my family on my deck, cooking/grilling up amazing food and soaking in that summer sun. I have so many fun memories doing this with my family and I love continuing these traditions into my life as a Mom.
Since my parents bought a condo in Chicago recently, I thought it would be fun to have a BBQ and ask them (and my sister) to bring their favorite nostalgic BBQ food. Basically, their one go-to dish that everyone raves about when they show-up with it. My husband thought this was so much fun and decided to get in the on the action too!
The result is these 5 incredible dishes that you ALL seriously need to try.
Dad’s Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
If it’s one thing my dad knows how to do, it’s work a grill. He’s always famous for his Hawaiian BBQ chicken Quesadillas and recently started using Curly’s BBQ Sauced Pulled Chicken because it’s fully cooked (which makes the prep time SO much easier) and the hickory smoked BBQ sauce is the most addicting thing you’ll ever try. You can buy Curly’s in the refrigerated meat case of the grocery store!
To make 4 quesadillas, all you need to do is grab one box of Curly’s BBQ Pulled Chicken, 8 flour tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese, 1 red onion, sautéed and diced pineapple!
Simply add the chicken, top with onions, pineapple and cheese!
Before grilling, add oil on both sides and grill until toasty and melty!
Mom’s Noodle Kugel
Growing up, this kugel was at every single family gathering we had. It’s unbelievably simple, delicious and brings back so many memories from my childhood. If you haven’t heard of a kugel before, it’s basically a sweet and savory noodle casserole that you really just need to try to fully understand how life changing it is.
It also couldn’t be easier to make! Here is the ingredients:
1/2 pound wide egg noodles
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 pound cottage cheese
2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
6 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
All you need to do is boil the noodles till soft (about 5 minutes) and drain. Combine them with the rest of the ingredients and pour into a greased 9X13 pan. Bake about 375 for 40 minutes or until crust is golden and custard is set.
Hubby’s Corn & Brie Pasta
This dish defines the word addicting. My husband created this dish with his mother growing up and it’s the most perfect seasonal summer dish. It combines sweet summer corn, fresh vine ripened tomatoes and basil. We’ve recently started using Dorothy Creamery Brie and it’s taken this dish to an entirely new level.
I’m sure by now you know how much I LOVE Dorothy’s cheese and whenever I can find a chance to add it into a recipe, I do! It’s made locally in Lena, IL with Rbst-free milk. There seriously is nothing better.
Here’s what you need!
4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
4 large ears of corn, shucked
2 tablespoons of butter
2 Packages of Dorothy’s Cheese (Come Back Cow or Keep Dreaming), rind removed, cut into pieces
1/2 clove of garlic, peeled and finely minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 pounds your favorite pasta (I like fresh ears)
Making it is SO simple.
Cook corn over medium heat in the butter for a few minutes. You still want it to have some crunch.
Combine tomatoes, buttered corn, Dorothy’s cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Let sit covered at room temperature for at least an hour.
When ready to serve, bring a large pot of water to a boil add your pasta of choice and cook according to directions on box (if using fresh pasta, just cook for 2-3 minutes). Drain pasta and immediately toss with the tomato and brie mixture. Gently mix and serve!
Doesn’t that sound too simple (and so YUM)?!
Erica’s Patriotic Berry Chicken Salad
So admittedly, my recipe is geared towards 4th of July or Memorial Day, BUT you can still make this chicken salad year round and it’s PERFECT. I decided to use a star cookie cutter to make them even more patriotic! Everyone goes wild for this and it couldn’t be easier to make because I use Curly’s Sauceless Pulled Chicken.
Here’s what you need to make these adorable sandwiches:
1 container of Curly’s Sauceless Pulled Chicken
1 Loaf of white bread (I only use Brownberry Country White for this recipe)
1/2 cup diced strawberries
1/2 cup diced blueberries
1 cup mayo
Just combine all ingredients together and serve on bread! Cutting the bread into shapes is SO much fun.
Sister’s Blue Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
When my sister came up with this recipe, I knew we officially had a winner. Not only are these literally the easiest thing on earth to make, but they are absolutely delicious too. I seriously can’t stop popping them in my mouth once I start.
All you need to make them is baby portobello mushrooms, blue cheese (I use Saint Agur) and thick cut bacon. Just de-stem the mushrooms, and stuff them with blue cheese and cooked bacon (I do mine in a pan quick).
Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes or until oozing.
SO, which of these 5 dishes do YOU think you’ll be integrating into your next BBQ? I’ll be honest, they may seem like they are all so different, but I had a BBQ last weekend for the 4th of July and made ALL of them.
Love always,
Erica
