During the summer, outdoor entertaining is a must.
Making dining easier and less stressful is to have a few homemade sauces on hand for impromptu gatherings.
This is a major part of the entertaining game plan.
The following recipes are easy to prepare and liven up a myriad of dishes. I suggest making them when you have a few moments and keeping them on hand.
You will find that homemade sauces are much tastier than store-bought and very simple to keep stocked up throughout the summer, making dining a breeze…
Menu
Serves 4
Barbeque Sauce
Vinaigrette
Miracle Spicy Russian
Dressing
Barbeque Sauce
Use as a marinade and/or brush on chicken, pork & beef while grilling. Add Northern Beans for “Homemade Baked Beans”
2/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsps smoked Spanish
Paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground
black pepper
1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan. Stir.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Refrigerate, covered, until needed. (I put mine in a mason jar.)
Vinaigrette
Salad Dressing, Toss on Vegetables, Drizzle on Tomatoes, Toss on Potatoes, Toss on Tuna for a quick, non-mayonnaise tuna salad. In a pinch, Paul Newman’s Vinaigrette works too.
3 tbls. Dijon Mustard
1 tbls. best quality red
wine vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. sugar
3/4 cup best quality
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1. Place mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a food processor, fitted with a steel blade. I use a Cuisinart.
2. Process. While motor is running, slowly pour in olive oil. (I use the feed tube with a hole.)
3. When emulsified, serve or put in a jar and keep until needed.
Miracle Spicy Russian Dressing
Use as a Hamburger Topping, French Fry or Chicken Finger Dipping Sauce, Condiment for Turkey Sandwiches, Dress A Wedge of Iceberg. (There is no store-bought substitute.)
1 15 oz. jar Miracle Whip
3/4 cup ketchup
Squirts of Siracha
1. Remove 1/2 of the Miracle Whip. (Set remainder aside for future use.)
2. Add ketchup. Shake vigorously until combined. Add Siracha to taste. (Add alot if you like spice; a little, if you don’t.)
3. The best thing about this is it stays in the jar, in the refrigerator, all summer long.
Alexandra Troy is owner of Culinary Architect Catering, a 33-year old Greenvale-based company, specializing in private, corporate and promotional parties. For more photos and presentation follow Culinary Architect Catering on Facebook.
