Labor Day Cookout Recipes with a Fruity Twist
It may be time to head back to school, but there鈥檚 still one more weekend to go this summer! If you鈥檙e planning to hit the grill this weekend, add a sweet twist to your meals with these fruit-infused Labor Day cookout recipes. And if you want to take your culinary skills to the next level, check out Lincoln Culinary Institute in Shelton, CT!
Grilled Citrus Chicken with Connecticut Cucumber-Cantaloupe Salsa
Chicken is sort of the 鈥渂lank canvas鈥 of foods, and the options to add some pizzazz to it are limitless! If you are celebrating the end of summer with a Labor Day party, then try this citrusy twist on a classic crowd pleaser.
The salsa recipe is ideal for taking advantage of fresh cucumbers and cantaloupe before they鈥檙e out of season. Guests are usually expecting burgers, hot dogs and plain chicken, so this gourmet addition will catch their attention. Truth be told, it鈥檚 not that much more complicated than throwing some chicken breasts on the grill, so even the Grillmaster-in-training can pull this dish off without a hitch!
This healthy option is brought to life by a variety of flavors, and the zing of the citrus really livens up the dish. Paired with an unusual combination of cucumber-cantaloupe salsa, this new and improved grilled chicken is light, refreshing and delicious! Happy grilling!
Ingredients:
4听听听听听听听听听 Chicken Breasts-boneless, skinless
1听听听听听听听听听 Lemon-zest removed and chopped, reserve juice for salsa
1听听听听听听听听听 Lime-zest removed and chopped, reserve juice for salsa
2听听听听听听听听听 Tbs. Vegetable Oil
1 听听听听听听听听 tsp. Black Pepper
1听听听听听听听听听 Cup Cucumber-peeled, seeded, small diced
1听听听听听听听听听 Cup Cantaloupe-peeled, seeded, small diced
3听听听听听听听听听 Tbs. Red Onions-minced
1 听听听听听听听听 Cup Red Bell Pepper-small diced
2听听听听听听听听听 Tbs. Cilantro-chopped
2听听听听听听听听听 Tbs. Lemon Juice-reserved from above
2听听听听听听听听听 Tbs. Lime Juice
Salt and Black Pepper to taste (added to salsa at last moment)
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Instructions:
Marinate chicken breasts with the citrus zests, vegetable oil, and black pepper at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator or overnight. Grill chicken breasts until an internal doneness of 165掳 f. Serve with salsa (procedure below).
Combine all remaining ingredients in bowl, adding the salt and black pepper just before serving to avoid removing the water from the fruit and vegetable. Divide the salsa onto four serving plates, top with the grilled chicken. Enjoy!
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Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Peach and Sweet Potato Relish
If you鈥檝e been to the farmer鈥檚 market or local fruit and vegetable stands, you鈥檝e probably seen an abundance of end-of-season peaches. At this point in the summer, maybe you鈥檝e grown tired of adding them to fruit salads or slicing to eat plain, but just haven鈥檛 figured out how to intensify the fruit and heighten it to gourmet status. This relish might do the trick!
You can serve this relish with any items you鈥檙e grilling, but grilled pork tenderloins can be a perfect unexpected accompaniment. This lean meat cooks quickly, so your guests can start eating in no time!
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Ingredients:
2听听听听听听听听听 Pork Tenderloins-trimmed of any silverskin, cut into 戮鈥 thick medallions
1听听听听听听听听听 Sweet Potato-peeled, sliced 陆鈥 thick
1听听听听听听听听听 Red Onion-sliced 陆鈥 thick
1听听听听听听听听听 Poblano Chile Pepper (optional)-cut into quarters lengthwise, seeds removed
1听听听听听听听听听 Red Bell Pepper-cut into quarters lengthwise, seeds removed
录听听听听听听听听 Cup Vegetable Oil
3听听听听听听听听听 Native Peaches-peeled, pitted, diced 陆鈥
2听听听听听听听听听 Tbsp.听听 Fresh Lime Juice
1听听听听听听听听听 Tbsp.听听 Fresh Cilantro-chopped
Salt and Black Pepper to Taste
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Instructions:
Heat grill on high heat. Lay pork medallions on cookie sheet, pat dry very well with paper towels, brush both sides lightly with vegetable oil, and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Place the sweet potato, red onion, chili pepper, bell pepper in a bowl, drizzle with the remaining vegetable oil, tossing to coat evenly. Place pork and vegetables on the grill.
Grill on high heat for about 4 minutes on each side, check for doneness. The pork should read 145潞 f internal temperature using an instant read thermometer. The vegetables should be fork tender. If everything is cooked, remove from grill.
Allow vegetables to cool slightly, then chop into 陆鈥 pieces. Place in a bowl with the diced fresh peaches, lime juice, cilantro, and toss together seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve with the grilled pork medallions, enjoy!