Cookbooks to Plan a Summer Feast

Summertime is here. It's time to enjoy trips to the beach, road trips, and some fun in the sun. However, it's also a great time to plan a summer feast. When I think of summer food, I think of burgers, ribs, and grilled salmon for main dishes. For sides I often turn to favorites like coleslaw, macaroni salad, and fruit salad. And although S'mores are my number one dessert of choice (especially with kids around), sometimes I like to try making something different like gingered fruit kabobs or baking a cherry pie on the grill. Whether you are barbecuing, picnicking, or cooking over a campfire, there's a cookbook to help you choose the perfect recipes for your summer feasts. 

Here are my top 5 picks (in alphabetical order):

1. Betty Crocker Grilling Made Easy: 200 Sure-Fire Recipes from America's Most Trusted Kitchens by Betty Crocker (2005) 336 p. ISBN: 0764574531
2. Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries, & Shakes by Bobby Flay (2009) 160 p. ISBN: 978-0307460639
3. The Book of Burger by Rachael Ray (2012) 336 p. ISBN: 978-1451659696
4. Country Living, Eating Outdoors: Sensational Recipes for Cookouts, Picnics and Take-Along Food from the Editors of Country Living and Kathleen Hackett (2008) 176 p. ISBN: 1588166643
5. Grill It!: Secrets to Delicious Flame-kissed Food by Better Homes and Gardens (2011) 372 p. ISBN: 0470932775

Still looking for more ideas? Check out these titles too:

• 400 Best Sandwich Recipes: From Classics & Burgers to Wraps & Condiments by Alison Lewis (2011) 360 p. ISBN: 978-0778802655
• 500 Barbecue Dishes by Paul Kirk (2008) 288 p. ISBN: 978-1416205098
• Burger Parties: Featuring Winning Recipes from Sutter Home Winery's Build a Better Burger Contest by James K. McNair (2010) 176 p. ISBN: 978-1580081108
• Cabin Cooking: Delicious Easy-to-Fix Recipes for Camp, Cabin, or Trail by Kate Fiduccia (2012) 128 p. ISBN: 978-1616086855
• Charred & Scruffed: Bold New Techniques for Explosive Flavor On and Off the Grill by Adam Perry Lang (2012) 280 p. ISBN: 978-1579654658
• Good Housekeeping Grilling: More Than 275 Perfect Year-Round Recipes by The Editors of Good Housekeeping (2011) 304 p. ISBN: 1588167143
• Grilling Vegan Style: 125 Fired-up Recipes to Turn Every Bite into a Backyard BBQ by John E. Schlimm (2012) 256 p. ISBN: 978-0738215723
• The Japanese Grill: From Classic Yakitori to Steak, Seafood, and Vegetables by Tadashi Ono (2011) 192 p. ISBN: 978-1580087377
• The Kansas City Barbeque Society Cookbook: Barbeque--It's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore by Carolyn Wells, Ardie A. Davis and Chef Paul Kirk (2010) 336 p. ISBN: 978-0740790102

There's something for everyone in these cookbooks. So try something new this year and spice up your summer feasts with new recipes. P.S. Many of these recipes would be great for indoor grilling and cooking as well. 

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