Happy Independence Day!

Growing up, I was lucky to have such open and worldly parents that embraced all their friends’ traditions and celebrations.

So if there’s any day off andor holiday scheduled.. then you bet ya that this Middle Eastern bunch is joining in on the party somehow.

For this 4^th of July, my brothers and I went against the typical park BBQ and picnic and decided to keep it cozy and local at our parent’s house. I guess we were just not in the mood to lug all the food, chairs, and cooking supplies, and not have access to a clean bathroom and comfy couch to lounge on after.

We started our cookout around 11 am and my mom and dad had already prepped most of the meats and side dishes, and all we had to really do is get the grill going and start cooking!

When it comes to grilling meat on the grill, I am far from skilled so I passed the responsibility on to my two younger brothers Khalid and Yousef.

While the boys got the flame going and started the grilling, my parents chopped up the salad and finished prepping the side dishes, and I got on my laptop to call my older brother on Skype!

My older bro Mo lives in Kuwait and runs a design firm, and since he couldn’t be with us in person, I Skyped him to enjoy our gathering via webcam. Yay for Skype!

While Mo and I chatted, the aroma from the grill started to flow in the house and was definitely causing me to get hungry and distracted. If only Skype can invent a scent application so that my brother could smell what I was smelling or even taste the food.. maybe one day

After talking for a while, Khalid and Yousef started bringing in the finished grilled items that they were devouring way before it made it to the table.

Unlike most cookout menus that feature the typical hot dogs, burgers and potato salad, my family likes to put a Middle Eastern twist to ours.

CHECK OUT OUR FAMILY MENU!

Grilled Lamb & Beef Kebabs.

Spiced Yogurt Chicken thighs

Peppered Liver Skewers

Roasted Grape Tomatos

Roasted Vidallian Onions

Fresh Garlic Hummus

Chopped Middle Eastern Salad

OTHER SIDES

Pita bread, Pickled Vegetables & Yellow squash

Dessert: Fresh Juicy Watermelon

Everything on the menu was homemade and prepared with love.

In addition to the food being so delicious, most of the menu was figure-friendly, protein and fiber-packed, low carb, and full of vitamins and minerals

Tune in next week when I reveal my parents’ special

KEBAB RECIPE

I promise that you’ll LOVE every bite of it!

Now that I showed you what I had for my cookout, I would love to hear about your menu!  Did you have a special dish that you like to prepare for others? Do you have a delicious, healthy dessert that you offer?

Mmmmmmm… I Love good food!