McCormick Grilled Lemon Pepper Herb Shrimp Party

 

Shrimp with McCormick Lemon Pepper Herb Seasoning

It’s rained here almost all summer, so since we had a sunny day, we decided to have a barbecue party. After looking through the McCormick Grillerhood recipes, the Grilled Lemon Pepper Herb Shrimp Kabobs caught my eye.

Everyone in the family loves shrimp, and we don’t get it very often as we’re not real close the coast. My son went into town and was able to find a couple of pounds.

The boys and I also picked fresh garden vegetables. We had green peppers, squash, and red beans ready. The recipe calls for a mix of vegetables. We enjoyed our combination, but I’m sure there are loads of combos that would be great with the shrimp.

This recipe is super easy. All we had to do was marinate the shrimp and vegetables with some olive oil and McCormick Grill Mates Lemon Pepper with Herbs. We just loaded up a zip lock bag and shook to coat the vegetables and shrimp.  Super simple.

 

Grill Wok is Quicker and Easier for a Party

I used a small gas grill tonight and added some pecan wood chips in an aluminum foil cup. You just make your own little cup to hold the wood chips and add some extra smoke flavor to the grilled food. That was placed under the edge of the grill wok. Using wood chips for flavor is just one of the many great tips from the McCormick Flavor Forecast.
 

 

Flavor Up Your Food with Tips from McCormick - Adding Wood Chips Adds Flavor

This is actually a kabob recipe, but I find it so much easier to use a grill wok for a party that I did my shrimp in my wok. You get the same flavor. It’s just quicker and easier if you’re grilling for several people.

The shrimp and vegetables came out just right. I did stir a few times to make sure everything was grilled evenly. The end result was shrimp and veggies with some tasty crusting from the lemon pepper and herbs.

 

Set Up and Ready for a McCormick Barbecue Party

We set up for the party. In addition to the McCormick shrimp dish, I made a pot of rice as a bed for the shrimp/vegetables and cut up fresh British melon from our garden and peaches from a local stand. Sweet potato rolls rounded out the meal.

 

Main Dish - McCormick Shrimp with Vegetables from My Garden

The shrimp recipe made quite a statement served in a colorful dish, and everyone was hurrying to get the drinks poured so that the McCormick party could start.
 

 

Time to Dig In as We All Enjoy the Grillerhood

As you can see, I did not have to ring a dinner bell to get the crowd out to the picnic table. Everyone was looking forward to digging in.

The shrimp and vegetables were awesome. The McCormick Lemon Pepper with Herbs was perfect with shrimp. It’s hard to beat some lemon flavor with seafood. The pepper gave it a little extra zip, and the subtle herbs just brought it all together.

We pretty well cleaned the table out. There was a little rice left over that a certain puppy was thrilled to get as a treat.

If you’ve not tried out Grill Mates by McCormick, they have some really awesome flavors to spice up your grilling. It’s also helpful to have the McCormick Grill Mates Facebook page which features a ton of delicious recipes and has search functions to find just what you have on your mind when the grilling urge hits you.

 

*Please note that I’m a paid ambassador for McCormick this summer and that I got some seasonings for free (but purchased the McCormick Lemon Pepper Herb out of pocket). As always I do give my honest thoughts and opinions.

 

McCormick 4th of July Red, White and Blue Grilled Beans with Apple Wood Smoke

4th of July Red, White and Blue McCormick Beans Smoked with Apple Wood

 

I decided to test drive a new patriotic side dish for the 4^th of July. We usually go pretty traditional with hamburgers and hot dogs for the 4th of July, but I like to serve up something unique and special on the side for the big summer holiday.

This year I decided I wanted to make red, white and blue beans. Let me warn you that blue beans are a challenge, and I actually used back beans. I suspect there’s a farmer somewhere with heirloom blue beans, but I don’t know where to find her. You still get the general 4^th of July color theme even with the black beans, since they are dark and balance nicely with the white and reds.

 

McCormick Montreal Steak Sauce

I also wanted to showcase the new McCormick Montreal SteakSauce. After having a little taste, I thought the sauce, which has a really beautiful flavor, would really pop nicely in the bean dish.

I gathered up my ingredients for my Red, White and Blue Beans which included the following:

 

• 1 can red kidney beans
• 1 can white Navy beans
• 1 can black beans
•      *Note: All beans were in the 14-15 ounce sized cans, and I drained the beans.
• 1 can undrained petite diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
• 1 pound of cooked meat (I used smoke pulled pork, but hamburger or sausage cooked and the grease drained off also works in this dish)
• 1 small onion diced fine
• 2/3 cup McCormick Montreal Steak Sauce

Directions for McCormick 4^th of July Beans:

Put all the ingredients in a grill pan (the toss away size 13x9x2 works well) and stir until evenly mixed. Place on any type of grill over medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

 

Consider adding some smoke flavor which is a great new trend this year as noted on the McCormick Flavor Trends page. No matter how you grill, you can add a little wood either in the fire or in a homemade aluminum foil cup to put on the gas grill grate beside the food. In this case, the guys voted for apple wood to pump up the flavors for the beans.

 

 Mix Red, White and Blue McCormick Beans Right in the Pan - Super Simple

The Proof was in the Empty Pan . . .

My Red, White and Blue (black) Beans were a hit. We had a family gathering last night with a dozen of us with a whole table full of food (as always), and the beans went fast.

The Red, White, and Blue bean dish looks really pretty, and the flavor is spot on. The Montreal Steak Sauce gives the recipe the special “something” I was hoping for.

If you want a really yummy side dish for the 4^th of July (or even a main dish since it has meat), then you can’t go wrong with Red, White and Blue beans.

For other great ideas for the 4^th of July, be sure to check out the McCormick Grilling Flavor Forecast where you’ll find new and creative ideas ranging from grilled fruit drinks to 5-minute marinades dishes. You can also get lots of new and creative ideas at the McCormick Grill Mates Facebook page which builds on the great company information along with lots of new ideas from creative fans.

 

*Please note that I’m a paid ambassador for McCormick this summer and that I got the steak sauce for free. As always I do give my honest thoughts and opinions.

Barbecue Master Checks Out McCormick Flavor Forecast 2013

I grew up on McCormick seasonings and was using the McCormick products for grilling before McCormick even came out with their specialty grilling lines. I can’t even begin to count the number of McCormick lemon pepper bottles we’ve gone through over the years. It’s amazing what a sprinkle of lemon pepper will do for a steak or grilled burger.  

 

 Yum! I Am Going to Have a Delicious Summer

When I started seeing McCormick grilling products I was excited, and when they invited me to join the team in getting the word out about the new and exciting grilling flavors, I was even more excited.

What’s New in the Flavor Forecast 2013?

I’m always looking for new outdoor cooking ideas, and the McCormick Grill Mates &Lawry's Flavor Forecast 2013: Grilling Edition is packed full for great ideas from five minute marinating to grilling fruits to add a hint of smoke flavor to summer drinks.

Seriously you’ve got to try putting some lemon slices on the grill and then in your tea. You’ll be amazed at the extra kick you’ll get with a classic summer drink.

 

Home Brewed Iced Tea with Grilled Lemon Slice

McCormick is also offering help on pairing seasonings with wood flavors. No matter what type of grilling you do, a little smoke from chunks of wood gives food that extra oomph. Try out the Grill Mates Backyard Brick Oven with alder over seafood for a sweet but not overpowering zing.

 

Grilled Shrimp with Grill Mates Smokin' Sweet Tea Marinade and Backyard Brick Oven Seasoning

Another creative idea from McCormick is to put condiments center stage. Condiments tend to get overlooked, but they won’t be when you mix up your own. And, you don’t have to spend all day either.

One simple condiment idea is to combine McCormick Perfect Pinch Cajun Seasoning with ketchup which takes an old fashioned favorite but flavors it up for adults. Top a grilled hamburger off with that, and you have a winner. 

Don’t Miss Out on the Fun with McCormick

If you’re wondering what’s hot for this summer, just check out the Flavor Forecast page. You’ll be busy and eating great off the barbecue grill all summer with the tips and ideas from McCormick.

 Also check out the new McCormick Grill Mates products and recipes and enter to win a prize pack of delicious seasonings at the McCormickFaceBook page. Your mouth will be watering when you see the great reader entries.

*Please note that I’m a paid ambassador for McCormick this summer and that I got the basket of seasonings for free. As always I do give my honest thoughts and opinions.

Be the Grill Mayor and Go to NYC for a Great BBQ Blow Out Prize

You can be the Grill Mayor with the Food Network Contest: Grill Mayor of 2012.

This is WAY more than just “bragging rights” where you impress your barbecue buddies with a cool title. The winner of this barbecue contest will feel like a rock star – no kidding.

The grand prize Grill Mayor wins a trip for two to New York City. If you are spouse-less and friend-less, then I’d be glad to fill your guest seat. Just kidding, but this is a terrific prize and one that I’d be thrilled to win as I know you guys would be too.

What does the grand prize to New York City include?

• 2 nights in the Big Apple in a first-class hotel
• $100 Food Network gift card
• Food Network grilling cookbook
• Omaha Steaks grilling kit
• Assorted Grill Mates products (I’ve been enjoying those all summer myself)
• Dinner at Food Network’s chef restaurant in NYC with your guest
• VIP access passes to a premiere New York City BBQ festival (along with your guest – of course)
• Tour of the Food Network kitchens in the Big Apple

See! I told you this is one massive trip to New York with all the trimmings and then some.

You do have to be a legal United States resident and 21 years or older to be eligible.

Now that I’ve got you dreaming of a fabulous getaway packed full of fun plus some terrific take home treasures, I’m sure you’re wondering how you can get your name in the pot. After all, you don’t win contests that you don’t enter (and this is one you barbecue guys and girls really don’t want to miss).

How to Enter to be the Grill Mayor 2012?

1. Complete the online entry form at Food Network.
2. Share a grilling tip or piece of advice along with a photo related to your tip (limit 100 words on the tip)

How easy is that? Share a tip and snap a photo, and you could be kicked back in luxury in New York City between special outings especially fun for barbecue folks.

If you aren't the contest type of person (gasp - that's cool though), then check out the McCormick Grillmates Facebook page. You don't have to do a thing other there than soak up great information about grilling and for free. You'll be surprised at how much grilling data they have at the site to get your grill cranking and your brain pumping with new ideas.

 The contest ends at 4:59 pm ET on July 31, 2012, so head over and sign up while it’s fresh on your mind.

Let me know if you win, because it’s great when my readers get something special like this.
Good luck all!

McCormick Grillerhood - Best and True Rule for Grilling

 Barbecue Master Grilling on a Beautiful Summer Day

I’m heating up my grill this summer with McCormick and Grillerhood. You can too. It’s easy to sign up and be part of the “hood” and have a blast while getting new tips and ideas that will take your grilling from “just okay” to awesome.

Ready for the Grillerhood Challenge?

The challenge here at the height of the grilling season is to share and put together the “best ever” list of tips for grilling. Yes. That is a challenge, but you can win prizes for your ideas on grilling, and you can help create a pool of information that can pass down to others and share the grilling love.

McCormick asked me what I’d share as my top three grilling tips. I had to give that some serious thought. There are many tips that I could give, but when push came to shove, these were my top ones:

McCormick True Rules of Grilling from the Barbecue Master

1. Grilling is about fun. So, do it your way. Gas, charcoal, pellet, or electric . . . it’s all fine if it works for you and your crowd. You can grill great food no matter what method you decide is best at your home.

2. It doesn’t have to take all day to rock the grill. Smoked sausages in a grill wok with flavorful rubs and seasonings takes only minutes, and they wow the crowd. So, have some easy recipes in your grilling file, so you can grill on the fly and still impress.

3.  You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a grill out and your family and friends over. It doesn’t have to be steak or lobster. You can flavor up burgers or flank steak or even vegetables (very healthy) and have an amazing barbecue without taking out a loan.

Boiling it down to three top grilling tips was hard, and I know that there are lots of other great tips out there. You are likely just biting your tongue and wanting to say what you think makes grilling good and fun. Really, I am sitting here thinking of about a thousand other ideas. With every cook out we learn something new that will help the next person.

Don't Miss Out on All the Fun - You Can Be in the Grillerhood Too

 Share your tips and help me pick the very best one to share with the Grillerhood.

Win Grilling Gear and McCormick Grill Mates Prize Pack - Ends 6-25-2012

Win This Neat Grill Mates Prize Pack Provided By McCormick

I'm part of the Grillerhood this summer, and you can join the fun on Facebook where all the coolest grillers are hanging out and sharing grilling tips, recipes, and secrets. Just click over and see what the buzz is about at FB Grillerhood.

I could tell you about all the great information you'll find and about the HUGE prize one lucky person will win at the end of the summer compliments of McCormick . . . but it's more fun to explore.

As an added bonus, you can win the prize pack you see above. Just visit and "like" the Grillerhood and then leave me a comment telling me something cool you found on your visit. Also, give me some way to get in touch if you're the lucky winner of the McCormick grill apron, gear, and seasoning prize. (I don't keep or collect your data. I just send the winning entry over, so the prize can be mailed out.)

This grilling prize contest runs through June 25, 2012, so be sure to enter while you're thinking about it. And, you can enter once per day too. Just share something new each time you visit.

All entries get a slip in the hat, and one of my sons will draw the winning name on the 26th of June.

Yes. Simple as that! And, you will be sizzling on the grill this summer like I am with my snazzy new apron, tools, and new seasonings which I'm using to whip up some great grilled recipes.

Cyndi Smoking Up Some Good Grub with McCormick Gear and Grill Mates