Father's Day is just around the corner and in most households that usually means BARBECUE! Looking for some Father's Day inspiration?  Check out this classic yet delicious Father's Day barbecue menu. In fact, I will be using this menu to celebrate all the great father's in my life.

Father's Day Barbecue:

• Sweet, Sticky and Smoky Barbecued Ribs and Chicken
• Hot Dogs with all the Fixings (for the little ones)
• Buttermilk-Chive Coleslaw
• Roasted Potato Salad with Lemon, Dill and Grainy Dijon
• Heirloom Tomato Salad topped with Olive Oil and Basil
• Fresh Summer Corn with Butter and Chili Salt
• Refreshing Watermelon Triangles
• S'more Jars and to wash it all down,
• Ginger Lemonade

Whether you choose to use the menu above or get creative with your own, every great barbecue starts with a great rub. Whip up this quick and simple dry rub and you are good to go. This is great on practically anything from chicken to fish to ribs to seafood. Looking for a father's day gift as well? Throw some of this rub in a cute mason jar, add a personalized label and you are good to go.

Classic Barbecue Rub:

• 2 Tbsp. each: paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried minced onion
• 1 Tbsp. each: kosher salt, chipotle chili powder, ancho chili powder
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

In a mixing bowl, whisk ingredients together until combined. The spice rub can be kept in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Happy Grilling,

P.S - That is a pic of my super cool Dad at the top of this post :)

It is finally warm in Toronto! YAY! The sun is shining and barbecue season is upon us. Next time you hit your grill skip your boring old hamburgers and hot dogs topped with ketchup and mustard and whip up a batch of fresh fruit salsa. Adding fruit to savoury items is a quick, healthy and tasty way to lighten up the dish and add some delicious fresh flavour. I've been experimenting for the past couple of days at home and so far have topped a turkey burger with some mango salsa and some jerk chicken wings with a pineapple salsa. The results have been DELISH! Here is a base recipe for fresh fruit salsa so you can make it at home and experiment with your own flavours. Please stop by and let us know what you mixed up and how you served it. Enjoy!



Fresh Fruit Salsa

Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups fresh fruit, diced (suggestions: mango, pineapple, peach, strawberries, watermelon)

1/4 cup red onion, diced

the juice of 1 lime

1 Tbsp. green herb, chopped (suggestions: cilantro, flat leaf parsley, mint, basil)

a little bit of heat (suggestions: chopped red chili, chopped jalapeno, 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. any ground chili powder)

Method:

1. In a small mixing bowl, mix all ingredients together.

2. Let the salsa sit for at least 10 minutes for the flavours to meld. It can be made up to 8 hours ahead of time.

3. Enjoy!

Happy Salsa Eating,