Sweet Mango Pickle Relish (Hot Dog Condiment)

The last time I served hot dogs, I made sure to put out a spread of relish, mustard and ketchup. But I also made a beet goat cheese sauce that tasted out of this world. Last night, we grilled smoked apple chicken sausages and I felt like preparing another unique condiment.

I settled on giving a tropical twist to ordinary relish. I mixed diced mangoes, red onions, jalapeño pepper and capers with the pickles. The sweetness and explosion of flavors from the mango and capers were an instant hit.

BBQ Menu for Independence Day

Grilling in not just for hot dogs and hamburgers anymore. I cook veggie dishes and even desserts on the bbq to satisfy the varying diets of my family. I've put together a list of some of my favorite dishes that go on the coals, and those that go great with them. So get your barbecue gear out and have fun!

Hot Dog Condiment Recipe

If you're planning on a barbecue this Memorial Day weekend, hot dogs might be part of your menu. Hot dogs, along with hamburgers, are the symbol and epitome of American food. The concept here is as simple as it is delicious: a sausage tucked in a long piece of bread.

Of course, I like to have fun with my food. I made my own version using garlic and spinach chicken sausages and a couple of unusual condiments. I used beet goat cheese sauce and a goat cheese spread made with French pickles (called cornichons), chives, curly parsley and mustard. It made for a refreshing change from regular ketchup and mustard. I could eat them by the dozen!

Masala Burger Recipe

Here's a new take on the American burger classic! Spice up your traditional barbecue menu by adding flavors from India.

Masala burgers would make a perfect addition to your spread this Memorial Day weekend. They're a welcome change from regular beef burgers. I've made fusion burgers in the past, including keema burgers made with Indian-style ground beef. This time, I flavored hamburger patties with garam masala, ginger garlic paste, turmeric and red chili powder. I also changed the condiments; I substituted kachumbar (Indian salsa), my own concoction of raita (Indian yogurt sauce) and tamarind sauce for the ordinary ketchup, mayo, mustard and pickle relish.

Grilled Tandoori Chicken Recipe

Summer is almost over! It’s hard to imagine, but school starts next week for the girls, so I thought I'd use the barbecue one more time before storing it until next season. I marinated chicken breasts in tandoori sauce (I removed the skin because Lulu's aunt who’s visiting doesn't like it).

A generous amount of plain yogurt is necessary to ensure that the meat is moist. The traditional spices from garam masala are also used (cumin, coriander, red chile and other spices). I grilled the chicken breasts for about 10 minutes and the meat was ready to be served. It’s actually a pretty stress-free recipe if -like me-, you have a ready-made jar of garam masala in your pantry.