Grilled Savoy Cabbage with Spicy Thai-Inspired Dressing
Plus a Veg Forward (first birthday!) giveaway and a MDW recipe roundup
Greetings from Los Angeles!
I’m getting ready for day 10 of a hectic cookbook shoot. Though it doesn’t feel like the start of a holiday weekend on my end (busy weeks will do that, no?), I realize that many of you are likely gearing up for weekend gatherings and cookouts to honor those who have fallen. And since Memorial Day serves as the unofficial start to summer, I figure it’s a good time to talk grilling.
MDW also marks Veg Forward’s first birthday! To celebrate, I’m happy to be giving away three copies of the book (see below for the details on how to enter). I’m also excited to share one of my favorite summer sides from the book: Grilled Savoy Cabbage with Spicy Thai-Inspired Dressing, which would be a perfect addition to any cookout spread — or weeknight dinner, for that matter. (Have you heard that cabbage is trending?) I’ve rounded up a few other recipes from the Susanality archives that may come in handy this weekend (and all summer) as well.
I hope you have had a wonderful week!
Veg Forward Giveaway
This weekend marks Veg Forward’s first birthday! Thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy and supported my work. To celebrate the occasion, I’m going to send 3 of you a copy of the book (if you already have one, I hope you’ll gift it to a friend or family member!). To enter, comment on this post with the summer produce you’re most excited to cook with this season. (Must be a paid subscriber to Susanality and a U.S. resident to enter.)
Menu Ideas for a MDW Cookout
First things first: back in 2022, I shared Grilling 101, an in-depth primer on how to grill delicious food safely and without stress. If you’ll be manning the grill this weekend — or anytime this summer — be sure to give it a read!
Zucchini Baba Ganoush
Every party needs at least one dip, and with zucchini slipping into season, now is a perfect time to enjoy this one. It’s easy, fun to make, and delicious.
Pomegranate-Glazed Kofta Kebabs
Kebabs are always a great option for a grill out, and this lamb kofta iteration will be both unexpected and enjoyed by all. It’s an excellent dish to prep ahead, saving you time and energy the day of the party. If you’re a meatball lover like I am, this one’s for you!
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Tamarind Glaze
An oldie but goodie. This tamarind glaze goes well with just about anything you can grill! If you don’t want to skewer, just use it on whole chicken thighs, on or off the bone, or breasts.
Punchy Warm Potato Salad
What’s a cookout without potato salad? This one is mayo-free and doesn’t have to be served warm, despite its name. I promise it will be a hit!
Strawberry Brita Cake
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that your guests won’t forget, this is it. It’s best to make this dessert when you’re the host as you’ll want to macerate the strawberries and assemble the cake just before serving. That said, it’s possible to adapt for a potluck too. Just bring the baked cake and keep the strawberries and whipped cream separate until serving time.
Strubarb Galette
Here’s another dessert option that takes advantage of strawberry season. It’s just as wonderful at room temperature as it is warm, so if you’re headed to a friend’s house, you can pull it from the oven right before you leave and it will be ready to slice and serve for dessert. And if you’re the host, its heady aroma will fill your house during the party.
Nectarine Sunset Pops
Will there be children in attendance? If so, you can never go wrong with homemade popsicles!
