summer cook-out

In preparation for Memorial Day weekend, I thought I would share with all of you my favorite summer time dinner. I love getting together with friends, cooking outdoors and leisurely enjoying evening. The picture of the plate below is from the first cook-out that we had this summer. Since I was busy enjoying my friends and a nice bottle of wine, I didn't get the costing done for that particular meal.





BUT, I whipped up a quick cook-out style dinner the other night with my Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad, Garlic Bread and some smoked sausage. It was already dark outside by the time I finished cooking so I couldn't get a good photo. The only difference between the meal below and the meal above is the salad. For the meal above I served a green salad as opposed to a pasta salad and the grilled vegetables were served whole. Most of the ingredients are the same (except the pasta vs. lettuce) so the cost should be about the same either way you make it. I'll admit, the meal on top is a bit faster and does make a prettier presentation.



Either way, you can have an amazing meal and a memorable evening for less than $20. That's the way to do it!

This meal includes:

Smoked Sausage (2 lbs.) $7.44 - serves 8
Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad $9.48 - serves 12
Garlic Bread $1.77 - serves 8-16
Total: $18.69
Serves: 8+

Below is an example of my grocery list and a list of items that I already have on hand in my pantry or refrigerator. Use the grocery list as a guide but, as always, check the pantry list for items that you may not have or need to restock and check the grocery list for items that you might already have on hand. Adjust the lists as necessary.

GROCERY LIST
2 lbs.	smoked sausage links
1 large loaf	french bread
1 bulb	garlic
1 bunch	flat leaf parsley
1 box (14 oz.)	penne pasta
1 pint	grape tomatoes
1 med.	zucchini
1 med.	yellow squash
1 med.	green bell pepper
1 med.	red onion
1 small	eggplant
1 bottle	balsamic vinaigrette

PANTRY ITEMS / ON HAND
4 Tbsp	butter
2 Tbsp	olive oil
a pinch	salt

STEP 1: Wash, cut and prep. your vegetables for grilling.

STEP 2: Light the grill and let it come up to temperature.

STEP 3: Briefly grill the vegetables then use them for the Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad (or serve whole and skip making the pasta salad).

STEP 4: Before the coals loose their heat, cook the sausage until the skin is crispy and the inside is oozing delicious juices (if you have company, someone can keep an eye on the sausage while you prep the pasta salad).

STEP 5: When you're about 15 minutes from done, prepare the Garlic Bread.

STEP 6: Enjoy life!


This was truly a great evening! Let's do it again!


LEFTOVERS

You'll have some left over pasta salad but it's perfect to bring for lunches throughout the week. There will probably be a little garlic left over too but you'll surely use it up in your next recipe. Everything else on the grocery list will be used in it's entirety.

NOTES
If you don't like sausage, you can get any inexpensive cut of meat, slather it with BBQ sauce, throw it on the grill and it will be delicious! Chicken leg quarters are enormous and are usually very inexpensive. If you want a healthier protein, go for the boneless, skinless chicken breast but be aware that they are usually pretty pricey.