Blog Posts by Southern Living

Add some pizazz to your everyday grilling routine with these mouthwatering burger recipes. You'll never want a plain burger again!

Bacon-Wrapped Barbecue Burgers
Photo: Jennifer Davick























Ingredients
8 bacon slices
1 (4.5-oz.) jar sliced mushrooms, drained and chopped
1/2 cup chopped Vidalia or sweet onion
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup bottled honey barbecue sauce, divided
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
Wooden picks
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 sesame seed hamburger buns, toasted

Preparation
Arrange bacon on a paper towel-lined microwave-safe plate; cover with a paper towel. Microwave bacon at High 2 minutes or until edges begin to crinkle and bacon is partially cooked.

Sauté mushrooms and onion in hot oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes or until tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, and stir in 2 Tbsp. barbecue sauce.

Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high). Shape ground beef into 8 (5-inch) thin patties. Place 2 Tbsp. mushroom mixture in center of each of 4 patties.

Berry cobblers, muffins, and tarts are all fine and good, but a little variety can really whet your appetite. Try these unexpected ways with berries to impress your guests and get ready for summer.

Blueberry Salsa
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas























Ingredients
2 cups coarsely chopped fresh blueberries
1 cup whole fresh blueberries
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation
Toss ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve immediately, or cover and chill 8 hours.

Related Article: Fresh Summer Peach Recipes

Chilled Blueberry Soup























Ingredients
4 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 pint half-and-half
Garnish: mint sprigs

Preparation
Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Remove from heat, and slightly cool.

Process blueberry mixture and

Leave these chewy bar cookies unattended and they'll disappear faster than you can say "But those were for the bake sale!"

Tequila-Lime-Coconut Macaroon BarsPhoto: Jennifer Davick
























Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons tequila
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnishes: powdered sugar, lime rind curls

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing 2 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.

Stir together 1 3/4 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 to 23 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a medium bowl until smooth; whisk in coconut, next 3 ingredients, and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Stir together baking

Use your grill for more than just meat this summer. Try this Grilled Lemonade recipe for a refreshing twist on the classic.























More from Southern Living
Cool, Refreshing Drinks
Grilling: Not Just for Meat
Host a Quick and Easy Summer Party

Step 1: Cut and Grill























Cut about 16 lemons in half. Dip sides in sugar, and place over hot coals. Make a rosemary simple syrups by pouring equal parts water, sugar, and honey into a disposable aluminum foil pan. Add a few fresh rosemary sprigs, and place pan on grill.

Grill about 10 minutes or until you see a golden caramelized color on the lemons. Meanwhile, your simple syrup should be heating up nicely and getting lots of good flavor from those sprigs.

Related Video: Delicious Grilled Pizza

Step 2: Strain and Enjoy!























Let the grilled lemons cool slightly. Place a wire-mesh strainer in a pitcher, and squeeze the juice from the lemons. (The heat softens the lemons for easy squeezing.) Add water and rosemary simple syrup to taste. Add a splash of

The Kentucky Derby is celebrated the first Saturday in May with visitors from around the world gathering at the race track and all over Louisville. As "My Old Kentucky Home" plays before the race, julep cups filled to the brim with a delicious concoction of the finest bourbon, simple syrup, fresh mint, and crushed ice are raised high. To Kentuckians, a Mint Julep is more than a drink-it's tradition.The Classic Mint Julep is served in silver julep cups.
























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Classic Key Lime Pie

Ingredients
Yield: Makes 1 (8-ounce) julep
3 fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup
Crushed ice
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) bourbon
1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer
1 fresh mint sprig

Mint Simple Syrup Ingredients and Preparation
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
10 to 12 fresh mint sprigs

Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Boil, stirring often, 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; add mint, and let cool completely. Pour into a glass

Just in time for the Derby! This recipe takes pecan pie and adds the intense flavors of bourbon and chocolate. Purchase a refrigerated pie crust and hands-on preparation only takes 10 minutes.























More from Southern Living
Classic Mint Julep Recipe
100 Ways to Cook Southern
Throw a Derby Day Party

Ingredients
1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon or water
4 large eggs
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation
Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.
Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of piecrust; set aside.

Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove

The Kentucky Derby isn't all about the horses. It has become a place to see and be seen. Follow ourguide on Kentucky Derby fashion so you'll fit right in.A fashionable new hat is a necessity at the Kentucky Derby.
























More from Southern Living
Derby Hat Giveaway
Derby Party Checklist
Stir Up a Classic Mint Julep

Derby Hat Tradition
Hats are a must at the Derby. They are believed to bring good luck, but they have become purely a fashion statement. They can be simple or grandiose, hand-made or custom-made.

Sheila Nobles of C.K. Nobles, the Official Millinery Designer for The Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, says the Kentucky Derby is the Southern fashion event of the year, and even more so, the predominant event for hats.

"If you don't wear a hat to the Kentucky Derby," Sheila warns, "you'll feel like the woman who wears jeans to a little black dress party."

Related Article: Enter to Win a Custom-Made Derby Hat!

Hat First or Dress First?
"People remember you for your hat, not your dress," Sheila says, so she recommends picking your hat

Fresh avocado and lime juice are essential to guacamole. Other ingredients vary by recipe. Onions, chiles, garlic, tomatoes, and cilantro are most commonly included. You'll be amazed how easy it is to create your own delicious combination.

Photo: Ralph Anderson























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Fiesta Salsas and Dips

Ingredients
5 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
3/4 teaspoon salt
Tortilla chips

Preparation
Cut avocados in half. Scoop pulp into a bowl, and mash with a potato masher or fork until slightly chunky. Stir in chopped red onion and next 4 ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap, allowing wrap to touch mixture, and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Serve guacamole with tortilla chips.

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