Six weeks ago, we wrote (passionately, we might add, and with absolute sincerity) about excellent marinades. We were so sincere, in fact, that we made that shrimp marinade AGAIN tonight. We made it along with a few great salads that made us think we had really hit our outdoor-eating stride this year. As such, we have two suggestions:
Move on from the hamburger
Lamb is where it's at. Better for you and also more flavourful, we buy ours from our awesome butcher. An Internet search leads to a number of recipes that look good, but none that have so many positive ratings you can guarantee a winner. We like the sound of these two, though neither have the cashews that ours feature. We know. Cashews. Who would have thought?
Jamie Oliver's Moroccan-Style Lamb Burgers (He's good, right? Just kidding.)
Mediterranean Lamb Burgers (Probably where we'd go to make them from scratch)
If you are able to find pre-made lamb burgers that will meet your standards, then try this Cilantro-yogurt Sauce, which we made tonight (and was a bit hit).
Kick it up with salads
Yes, these might seem to have a theme: corn, avocado, cilantro, lime. But here's the thing: the corn is done on the grill, the avocados are in season, and you have the limes because you still love mojitos. Furthermore, most of these salads can be done (almost completely) in advance. So helpful.
Roasted Corn and Edemame Salad
Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad
Arugula and Avocado Salad with Shaved Parmesan
The Classic Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil Salad
And now let's hope for an Indian Summer that will keep us grilling until November, and a bonus that will enable us to put a gas grill in our kitchen next year.
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