Memorial Day BBQ

Memorial Day Barbecue!  We had a great meal and lots of fun!  My parents had about 15 friends over and my brother, Josh, and his dog Fenway!

Corn salad is always a crowd pleaser. The avocado takes it from delicious to sublime, the seasonings can be adjusted to the crowd's  preference. We like it packed  with punch, so we go heavy on the spices. Note: We hate to  give this dish up when the corn season ends, so we prepare it with 4 cans of drained shoepeg corn, a worthy substitute.






The Ultimate Corn Salad

serves 10 

12 ears fresh corn off the cob

2 cans black beans , drained and rinsed

1 red onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 jalapeno, chopped

1 ripe tomato, seeded and chopped

2 avocados, chopped

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Chop pieces for a salsa like presentation. Cut large pieces for a composed salad.

Dressing:

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon ground cumin + add extra

1 tablespoon chili powder + add extra

salt and pepper

Combine the first nine ingredients, and stir to distribute. Pour dressing over the salad and season to taste: it you prefer it hotter, add more jalapeno or spiced red pepper flakes: if you like it tarter, add more lime juice. The cumin and chili powder can be added to suit your palate.

Cupcake of the Year with Billy's Vanilla Buttercream Icing

1 cup coconut milk

1/2 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup sugar, 1 added 2 additional tablespoons

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup special dark cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350˚ degrees. Line 2 muffin pans with paper liners, about 12. Whisk together coconut milk, sugar, oil and vanilla extract and beat until foamy. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Add to wet ingredients and beat until no lumps remain. Pour into cupcake lines, about 1/4 cup of batter. Bale  18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

1 cup butter at room temperature

6-8 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup milk

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add 6 cups sugar, 1/2 cup milk, and vanilla ( I like 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla) mix until light and fluffy. If necessary, gradually add remaining 2 cups sugar.