A Gourmet BBQ to Remember...

While most Americans are grilling their burgers and dogs on this well deserved day, my family celebrated the extra time we had by creating a gourmet summer menu. This menu was made possible by a brand new grocery store that just opened in Vero. Fresh Market is a chain of stores all over the South and they pride themselves on selection, quality, and price. When we visited the store on Saturday, my mom was almost brought to tears when she spotted the baby bok choy. I too became tearful when I looked over the cheese selection and spyed my all time favorite - Grafton Cheddar. For my foodie friends that aren't familiar with Vero Beach, we have been living with Publix, Winn-Dixie, and Albertson's for way too long. The latter 2 are awful and we don't visit. The Publix near my house, called Wabasso Publix, is in my opinion the best one in town. The selection is better than most and the bakery is better than average. The wine section is very impressive with bottles from all over the world. But, what they fall short on, Fresh Market makes up for ten times over.

Our Labor Day menu:

Starters:

Ina's Guacamole

Little Karin's Salsa

Manchego, Jarlsberg, Danish Blue, & Grafton Cheddar with a quince paste and fig jam

Olives

Entrees:

Beef Tenderloin with a horseradish cream topping

Red and Yellow Beets with Goat Cheese and a Balsamic Vinagrette

Heirloom Tomato Salad with fresh Basil

Karin's Tzatziki with Pita chips

Little Karin's Pasta Salad (sundried tomatoes, wild shrimp, rotini pasta, EVOO, basil, and parmesan cheese)

Grilled Vegetables

Dessert:

Mom's homemade ice-cream (vanilla with chocolate chunks and Nutter Butter cookies) topped with hot fudge

We sent our guests home with doggie bags. As usual, we always make too much!

Bottom line: a big shout out to little Karin's Tzatziki. Perhaps the best I have ever tasted and loaded with garlic! Labor Day BBQ was a success!