Recipes of the Month: Gathering Goodies

May 27, 2021 Outdoor Cooking

Texas is starting to get back to normal, so this summer is sure to make a splash with pool parties, weekend gatherings and fun for all. At the heart of every good party is fabulous food, so this month we are featuring goodies that are great for gathering!

Strawberry Corn Salsa

Pineapple-Papaya Slaw

Watermelon Shark

Mexican Street Corn Pops

Summer Salad

Tropical Island Chicken

Potato Chip Encrusted Chicken Tenders

Hot Dog Sliders with Mango Pineapple Salsa

Barbecued Chicken Pizzas

Coconut-Rum Mango Cake Pops

Mini S’mores

Mojito Slush

Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade

Recipes of the Month: A Fruity Twist

July 24, 2020 Outdoor Cooking

You’re ready to fire up the grill for your summer sizzle session, but you need a tasty twist on some culinary classics. Below we have recipes perfect for the summer months, enjoy!

Overnight Fruit Salad

Watermelon and Tomato Salad

Pineapple Teriyaki Sliders

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

Mango Chicken

Fish with Grilled Fruit Salsa

Easy Batter Fruit Cobbler

Mojito Perfecto

Watermelon Margaritas

White Peach Sangria

Lemon Berry Slushy

Recipe of the Month: Sweet Tea Caramelized Onions

July 30, 2018 Outdoor Cooking

 

This will be something that will really go the distance… Sweet Tea Caramelized Onions! Enjoy them on top of a steak with blue cheese, on chicken, on salmon, burgers, use inside a toasted sandwich or quesadilla. Simply use them when you just want to make something better!

Sweet Tea Caramelized Onions Serves 1 cup

Cook Time: 35 ­-55 minutes

Ingredients

2 large yellow onions

3/4 tsp. Kosher salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 tsp. oil of choice

1⅔ cup sweet tea of choice

⅛ cup granulated sugar

 

Directions

Cut each onion into 1∕8 inch strips (follow the natural lines of the onion.) In a large bowl, add the cut onions, salt, pepper, and oil. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.

Heat grill to medium. Lightly coat the cooktop with an oiled paper towel.  Take the bowl of cut onions and empty it onto the grill. Spread the onions evenly on the grill and do not touch them for about 5 minutes.  This will allow the natural sugars from the onion to start to caramelize. Stir the onions around a little to now caramelize the other side of the onions. Let them cook without touching for another 5 minutes. Once the batch of onions has evenly caramelized turn the outer burner off and adjust the inner burner to medium­/low.

In a medium sauté pan add the cooked onions, cup of sweet tea, and granulated sugar. Allow this to cook on the grill for about 25 min. Stir occasionally to assure no sticking. The liquid should be close to gone at this point. The onions are done, however now is the chance to really make those onions pop with flavor; if time permits, add the remaining 2∕3 cup sweet tea and allow that to cook for another 20 min. Place finished onions in a bowl and allow to cool.

Use hot or refrigerate for later use.

 

Recipe of the Month: The MVP Guide to Grilling

August 17, 2016 Outdoor Living

It’s that time of year where everyone gets together for a football and food frenzy.  If you can’t be at the game, aim for the next best thing:  watch the game with friends in the comfort of your own outdoor living room.    So ditch the truck tailgate and fire up the grill in your backyard for a “pigskin” pregame party.

When establishing your outdoor kitchen, don’t limit yourself to a little charcoal griller out on the driveway.  Your outdoor cook space can be fully stocked with every appliance and convenience you need for cooking a backyard football feast. Just think about cooking outside without having to make trips back and forth into the house!
Consider all the elements of a high-function cooking area:
  • Built-in gas grill
  • Sideburner
  • Pizza oven
  • Drawers and cabinets
  • Raised bar top and counter space
  • Sinks
  • Refrigerator
  • Ice maker
  • Wine cooler

… just something to think about!

Ribs backyard fare

Now to the game day grub!

How ’bout something to wash it all down?

Party on the Patio Cocktail

cocktail by Texas Custom Patios

 

Ingredients

2/3 cup pineapple juice, chilled

1/3 cup vanilla flavored vodka

1 dash grenadine syrup

2 pineapple wedges

2 maraschino cherries

Directions

Pour the pineapple juice, vodka and grenadine into a shaker full of ice.  Shake, then strain into two glasses.  Garnish with a piece of pineapple and a cherry on a skewer!

Recipe of the Month: “The Best Burger … Ever!”

May 17, 2016 Outdoor Cooking

We thought with Memorial Day coming up it would be a perfect time to dust off the grill and get cookin’! What is more nostalgic than the smell of fresh hamburgers being sizzled to perfection. We were on a mission to find “The Best Hamburger” recipe ever created. May is National Burger Month, so all the meat-loving connoisseurs are out dishing and dubbing their burger as the best. After much research and putting our tastebuds to the test (such an unfortunate job), we like to believe we found the tastiest recipe of all. Behold … “The Best Burger … Ever!”

Best Burger Recipe

DIRECTIONS

Lightly oil grill & heat to medium.

Whisk egg in a bowl& add next 6 ingredients.

1 egg
1 teaspoon mustard (regular or Dijon)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 small onion, finely grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
1 lb medium ground beef

Add any of the “stir-ins” that appeal to you (see below).

 

 

Crumble in beef (using your hands or a fork), gently mix together.
Handle the meat as little as possible – the more you work it, the tougher it gets.
Gently shape (don’t firmly press) mixture into burgers about ¾ inch thick.
Using your thumb, make a shallow depression in the center of each burger to prevent puffing up during cooking.
Place burgers on the grill, close lid and grill … turning once, about 6 minutes per side (or to your liking).
An instant read thermometer should read 160F.

LISTEN UP!!!  Don’t abuse your burgers by pressing with a spatula, pricking with a fork or turning frequently as precious juices will be lost! We know it’s hard to leave it alone, but fight the urge!  It will be worth it, trust us.
Tuck into a warm crusty bun (you can throw those on the grill with a little butter, that’s what we did)  and add your favorite toppings.

Enjoy!

Optional Stir-Ins

1 tablespoon creamy caesar salad dressing or 1 tablespoon Greek salad dressing
1 tablespoon chopped sun-dried tomato
1 tablespoon sour cream or 1 tablespoon yoghurt
1 tablespoon grated fresh lemon rind or 1 tablespoon lime rind
1 tablespoon grated ginger root
1 tablespoon ketchup or 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon fresh herb
2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon teriyaki sauce or 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce
1 fresh jalapeños or 1 pickled jalapeño pepper, chopped

 

For more fantastically festive ideas and recipes for this Memorial

 

 

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We had very high expectations when Texas Custom Patios began construction on our back patio space. Because our roofline has a steep pitch and the odd location of our chimney, we were concerned about whether the addition would flow seamlessly with the rest of the roofline. Steven and his crews far exceeded our expectations. Professional and attentive to our concerns, Texas Custom Patios created the outdoor space we’ve always wanted – only better.

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