Lemon-Herb Chicken Breasts

Lemon-Herb Chicken Breasts - from Williams Sonoma

When hosting a barbecue, it is generally a good idea to offer a choice of at least two different grilled meats, and you usually cannot go wrong making chicken one of them. Chicken breasts marinated in lemon and herbs are a nice contrast to barbecued ribs or other rich meats.
Ingredients:

3 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus
shredded zest for garnish (optional)

2 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary, plus whole
leaves and sprigs for garnish (optional)

2 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme

2 tsp. coarse salt

1 tsp. freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions:

Rinse the chicken breasts and pat dry. In a large, shallow nonreactive dish, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, grated lemon zest and juice, the 2 Tbs. rosemary, the thyme, salt and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours.

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a grill. Oil the grill rack and position it about 6 inches from the heat source.

Grill the chicken breasts, turning once, until firm to the touch and opaque throughout, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board and cut on the diagonal against the grain into slices 1/2 inch thick, capturing any carving juices, if possible.

Arrange the chicken slices on a warmed serving platter and drizzle any carving juices over the top. Sprinkle with rosemary leaves and sprigs and shredded lemon zest. Serves 8.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Entertaining, by George Dolese (Oxmoor House, 2004).

Grilled Banana Splits

Grilled Banana Splits - from Great Grilling by Safeway

Serves 4

Prep time: About 5 minutes
Grill time: About 10 minutes

Ingredients:
4 large firm-ripe bananas, unpeeled, skins washed with detergent before using
1 bar (4 oz) milk chocolate, broken into small pieces
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 pint ice cream
1 cup whipped cream, lightly sweetened
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
4 maraschino cherries (optional)
alternate idea - skip the cinnamon, add mini marshmallows

Preparation:
1. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct, medium-high heat the charcoal or gas flame is directly under the cooking area and you can comfortably hold your hand just above grill only 3 to 4 seconds). While grill heats, cut into each unpeeled banana lengthwise, making a deep slit but taking care to avoid cutting all the way through. Slip pieces of chocolate into each pocket and sprinkle with some of the cinnamon. Wrap each banana in foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Lay bananas on grill (close lid if using gas) and cook, turning once, until slightly soft when squeezed with tongs, about (5 to) 10 minutes.

3. Carefully unwrap each banana and place on plate with the cut side facing up. Top each with small scoops of ice cream; add a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkling of chopped walnuts, and a cherry, if desired.

Note: The banana skins turn black when grilled.

Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger - Oprah.com

Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger - as seen on Oprah.com

Recipe courtesy of Jeff O'Neill

Oprah found a new favorite food when she tried this turkey burger at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's private club in Palm Beach. "I believe [it] may be the best turkey burger in the entire world," she says. The Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger will be permanently available at the Trump Bar and Grille in Trump Tower in New York City, open to the public for lunch and dinner. It will also be served during lunch in Chicago at Sixteen, the Trump International Hotel restaurant.

Ingredients:

Serves 6

• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 3 Granny Smith apples , peeled and diced
• 1/8 cup canola oil
• 4 pounds ground turkey breast
• 2 Tbsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. Tabasco® chipotle pepper sauce
• 1 lemon , juiced and grated zest
• 1/2 bunch parsley , finely chopped
• 1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney , pureed

Sauté the scallions, celery and apples in the canola oil until tender. Let cool.

Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients. Shape into eight 8-ounce burgers. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Serve with a side of Mar-a-Lago Pear Chutney and your favorite toasted bread, pita or hamburger roll.