Summer Backyard BBQ

There is nothing better than cooking in the backyard on a hot summer night with all my girlfriends!!  This backyard BBQ was fresh, healthy and easy! My girlfriends and I were at Niky's house for the weekend and made:

Skinny Margaritas

Veggie Burgers

Green Been Fries with a Basil Lemon Garlic Aioli

Summer Corn Salad

We used veggie patties from Costco and transformed them into gourmet burgers by using sourdough bread and Basil Lemon Garlic Aioli leftover from the Green Bean Fries.  The idea for the Green Bean Fries was taken from a restaurant I went to with my sister, Sarah, the night before.  The "Fries" are tossed with lots of salt and olive oil and grilled!! Dip in the Aioli and you will be in heaven! Well, at least my heaven!  Oh and be sure to try the Summer Corn Salad.   This is a refreshing take on the typical Corn Salad with lots of Cilantro.  But, be wary, if you are not a Cilantro lover (like my boyfriend Trevor) than use flat leaf parsley as a substitute!  

All photographs included in this post were taken by Niky.  Check out more beautiful photographs on her blog:  http://nikymarie.blogspot.com

Green Bean Fries

Ingredients:

Green Beans

Olive Oil

Salt 

Pepper

Directions:

Take ends of green beans off and wash.  Toss will pepper and a good amount of olive oil and salt.  Place on hot barbeque and cook until cooked (but still crunchy) and the beans develop grill marks.  Serve with the Lemon Basil Garlic Aioli.

Lemon Basil Garlic Aioli

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Good Mayonnaise

4 Garlic Cloves Chopped

Juice of 1 Large Lemon

1/2 Head of Basil Roughly Chopped

Salt 

Pepper

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Serve.

Summer Corn Salad

Ingredients:

6 Ears of White Corn 

1 Head Cilantro Chopped

1 Red Onion Diced

1 - 2 tsp Cumin (Depending on Taste)

1/2 Cup of Red Wine Vinegar

Juice from 2 Limes

1/2 Cup of Olive Oil (not extra) or Canola Oil

Salt 

Pepper

Directions:

Cook ears of corn in boiling salted water until done (only takes a couple minutes).  Remove from hot water, rinse in cold water, and set aside until cool.  Remove kernels from ears and take the back edge of the knife to scrape the ear to remove the corn "milk".  Place in bowl with diced onion and chopped cilantro.  Mix all remaining ingredients in separate bowl except for the oil.  Slowly whisk oil into dressing.  Toss with corn salad and refrigerate until dinner is ready.

Veggie Burgers

Directions:

Cook your veggie or meat burger the way you normally would and top with your favorite cheese and toppings.  Serve with the Lemon Basil Garlic Aioli.  Use your favorite bread to mix your burger up!  I prefer all types of sourdough bread, but use your favorite.  These easy changes quickly turn your burger into a gourmet delight!