Spicy Ginger Coleslaw the perfect side for a BBQ!

One of my favorite Summer side dishes is Coleslaw! Unfortunately, quite often coleslaw can be boring. Average. Not worthy of seconds. Add some extra carrots, tart apple and the zing of fresh ginger, and Oh! let's not forget the cayenne pepper, and you will be going back for thirds!!

Spicy Ginger Coleslaw

printable recipe

1 14 ounce bag Coleslaw

1/2 Red Bell Pepper sliced thin

1 cup or half a bag matchstick Carrots

1 Granny Smith Apple shredded (or any other tart variety)

1 tablespoon fresh Ginger grated

1 cup Mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tablespoon Sugar...more if you like your slaw sweeter

1/2 teaspoon Morton's Natures Seasonings Salt

1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper...more if you like it spicy

1/2 teaspoon Coleman's Mustard Powder

salt and pepper to taste

Paprika for garnish

In a large mixing bowl combine bag of coleslaw, matchstick carrots, shredded apple, and Red Bell Pepper cut into thin strips. Toss to combine. In a smaller bowl whisk together mayonnaise, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and seasonings. If you like spicy don't be afraid to add more cayenne, or more sugar if you prefer a sweeter slaw. Make it your own...I will never know (wink). Pour dressing over slaw mixture, fold until combined. Give it a taste, add salt and pepper if you feel the need. Transfer to a smaller bowl and sprinkle with paprika to make it look purdy.

Spicy Ginger Coleslaw made a slaw lover out of my Kenny. He is not one for salads with mayonnaisey dressings, but this one has enough flavor and crunchy texture from the apple, pepper, and extra carrots, that is has won him over.

Pair this coleslaw with these BBQ Ribs.......

Or with these Hawaiian Burgers. Is it just me or do you have a hard time spelling Hawaiian? It's a freaky word to me...anyway...however you spell it, these burgers are amaaaZING!

Then add these Taters.....

And this SCRUMPTIOUS Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp, from my gal Heather at Down Home with the Nesbits and you will be the BBQ QUEEN guaranteed!!!

There you have it I just put your next outdoor BBQ Menu together for you! Like I said you will be the BBQ Queen, unless that is you are of the male persuasion then you will be the BBQ King.

Looking for some more great summer recipe ideas? Head over to my friend Kim's new blog Recipes to Run On!

Have a great weekend!

LUV yuh!

Cheesy Roasted Potatoes

Here is a quick side that will knock your socks off! We love Cheesy Potatoe Skins around here. But this mom, does not love to make them. Too many steps, there's so much time invested in making them and they're devoured in a blink of an eye! So I came up with these tasty morsels. No scooping and rebaking, I use the whole potato, so I don't have "potato waste guilt".

Here's what you will need to start:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Cheesy Roasted Potatoes

printable recipe

3-4 pounds of Red Skinned or Idaho Potatoes, washed and cut into bite sided pieces

1/4 pound of Bacon + grease

Morton's Natures Seasoning Salt

2 tablespoons of Butter

2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese

4 green onions sliced

Sour Cream

Place potato pieces on a baking sheet, drizzle melted butter and olive oil over potatoes, sprinkle generously with Morten's Natures Seasoning Salt. Spead evenly on pan, place in preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes, occasionally giving potatoes a flip so all sides are baked evenly.

While potatoes are baking, fry up your bacon, and reserve the bacon fat. Chop bacon into little bits.

As you can see I fried up a bit more than 1/4 lb. Hey, a girl needs a snack now and then, and then there is the subject of her pesky kiddos always begging for bacon......

Some where in the middle of baking your potatoes, take them out of the oven and drizzle some of this bacon fat over them, give them a toss with a spatula or you can just give the pan a violent jiggle...if you feel confident doing that sort of potato jiggling.

Continue to bake potatoes until they are nice and brown and crispy.



Now for the good stuff.

Crowd potatoes together on pan, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over roasted potatoes.

Spread bacon on top of cheese, pop pan back in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbling. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve with sour cream on the side.

Stand back because the vultures are going to descend upon you. Cheesy Roasted Potatoes make an easy appetizer. Or they are fantastic served with Barbecue Ribs, or Grilled Hamburgers.....

They can be paired with any number of main dishes. Recently when we had some friends over I served Cheesy Roasted Potatoes with Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Cole Slaw. It was a hit!

I hope you enjoy!