Hot Dog Tip

Why just cook up a plain hot dog? Suprise your kids and family by adding this tastey twist. While BBQ'ing your hot dog (it just isn't the same if you microwave it) sprinkle some garlic powder on your dogs.
Repeat it when you rotate them.They won't be able to tell what you have done but they will know there is something even yummier about their dog!

Grilled Chicken with Roasted Garlic-Oregano Vinaigrette and Grilled Potatoes

Nothing feels like summer more than grilling with fresh ingredients . This light and slightly sweet vinaigarette is the perfect compliment to simple simple ingredients.

Recipe from Bobby Flay

Ingredients
For the roasted garlic-oregano vinaigrette:
8 cloves roasted garlic
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional, add if you want a little spicey zing)
For the grilled chicken and potatoes:
8 small potatoes, scrubbed and large cubes (not so small they fall through grill holes)
Kosher salt
Olive oil
4 Single chicken breasts
Freshly ground black pepper

For the roasted garlic-oregano vinaigrette:
Combine garlic, vinegar, oregano, parsley, honey and salt in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil and process until emulsified. Stir in the red chile flakes if desired.

For the grilled chicken and potatoes:
Place potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until a paring knife inserted comes out with some resistance. Do not cook the potatoes all the way through because they will continue cooking on the grill. Drain well and when cool enough to handle, slice in half lengthwise.

Heat the grill to medium.

Brush the chicken and potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken on the grill, skin-side down and grill until golden brown and slightly charred, 6 to 7 minutes. Turn the chicken over and continue grilling until just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. A few minutes before the chicken has finished cooking, place the potatoes on the grill, cut-side down and cook until lightly golden brown, about 2 minutes. Turn over and continue grilling about a minute longer. Remove the chicken and potatoes to a platter and immediately drizzle with the roasted garlic-oregano vinaigrette. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with oregano sprigs and parsley sprigs.

El Torito Mexican Caesar Salad

This delicious Salad dressing is creamy, and packs a flavor! I made if for my dinner and so added some grilled chicken and drizzled extra dressing on top. It can also just be served by itself. If you like Roasted pumpkin seeds and cheese you will love this salad.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

***Cilantro Pepita Dressing:***
2 medium Jalapeno chiles, roasted, peeled and seeded
1/3 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
12 ounces salad oil (I used olive oil)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons grated Cotija cheese (see note--I purchased this just at Walmart)
2 small bunches cilantro,stemmed
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup water

***Salad:***
4 corn tortillas
Vegetable oil
1 large head romaine lettuce, rinsed and spun dry
1/3 cup finely grated Cotija cheese
1/2 cup pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)
Optional - Roasted red bell pepper, peeled and cut into julienne strips

Directions:

Place all dressing ingredients except cilantro, mayonnaise and water in a a blender of food processor.
Blend approximately 10 seconds, then add cilantro little by little until blended smooth. Depending on size of blender, it may be necessary to do in batches.
Place mayonnaise and water in a large stainless steel bowl, and mix with a wire whip until smooth. Add the blended ingredients to the mayonnaise mixture, and mix thoroughly. Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate. Will keep for three days. Yields 1 quart.

To assemble salad: Cut corn tortillas into matchstick-size strips. Heat oil in sauté pan; fry tortilla strips until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.
Set aside.
Tear romaine into bite-size pieces. Place greens on salad plates and ladle approximately 2 ounces of cilantro pepita dressing on each salad.
Sprinkle each dish with Cotija cheese and tortilla strips.
OptionalArrange four red pepper strips like spokes on the top of each salad, and garnish with whole pepitas.

***Note: Cotija cheese is a hard cheese, similar to Parmesan. It is available at some grocery stores and most Mexican markets.