happy b-day America

It's amazing what vacation does for my culinary inspiration. One edition of Bon Appetit read on the beach has given me more ideas than hours of watching the Food Network in Dallas. My attitude has shifted and once again I remember how much bigger life is than my job/work. What a relief.

I love coming home relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to continue to live a happier and healthier life. And now I have a laundry list of tasty ideas... Homemade pickles, fresh summer squash salad, grilled peach salad, granita and homemade popsicles, citrus water, homemade flavored vodka, jerk chicken, fresh fish and crisp salads. (keep your fingers crossed that I get to all these before summer ends!)

Since Monday was the 4th of July I decided on a very American meal, how could I not?! Grilled BBQ bacon burgers and grilled corn. We ate sliders like this several times in the Caymans, they were the perfect after-dive snack. Who knew diving could be so exhausting? I wouldn't say these were an island dish, but delicious nonetheless. Yesterday, paired with some good, cold American beer, the meal was the perfect end to a incredible week-long vacation.

I think I'm ready to go back to reality... At least until my next adventure.

BBQ Bacon Sliders, serves 6

• 6 hamburger patties, seasoned with salt and pepper
• 6 whole wheat buns
• 6 slices of turkey bacon
• thinly sliced red onion
• mixed greens
• dill pickles
• BBQ sauce
• sharp cheddar
• sliced tomato

Cook turkey bacon in a pan over medium-low heat until crisp, set aside. Once cool, tear or cut them in half Slice red onion, pickles and tomato, set aside. Grill patties until medium rare, or desired doneness. Add cheese in the last few minutes of cooking. Assemble burgers with two half strips of bacon on the bottom topped with a burger, a spoonful of BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. 

Grilled Corn, serves 6

• 6 ears of corn, husked
• 1-2 Tbsp olive oil
• S&P

Roll corn in the olive oil so that they're lightly coated. Season with salt and pepper and grill over medium-low heat until tender, about 10-15 minutes depending on your grill. Eat hot!