I talked Philip into having a pre-4th of July BBQ at his house on Friday I wanted to get a few friends together for some fun, but mostly I just wanted to cook for people!

Here was my part of the menu (there were burgers and dogs for those that eat that sort of thing):

Crack Salsa aka Cowboy Caviar w. Baked Scoop Chips

Crack Salsa!

I posted the recipe here. Gone in a flash.  Everyone loves this stuff.  Make it for a party and everyone will come.

Marinated Vegetable Skewers (red and green bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, red onion marinated in balsamic vinaigrette, skewered, and grilled)

Vegetable Skewers

Veggie Burgers (Store-bought, thrown on the grill and topped with mustard, ketchup and relish.  Not fancy or even remotely homemade, but really tasty anyway)

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (cleaned portobellos, grilled gill-side down, then flipped and topped with a combo of cream cheese, tiny bit of blue cheese, lots of fresh spinach, and sliced artichoke hearts) This was AWESOME! I’m definitely going to make a vegan version w/ Tofutti cream cheese and maybe olives in the place of the blue cheese.

Festive Phyllo Shells with Custard and Berries (Store-bought phyllo cups, filled with a yogurt-custard and topped with sliced strawberries and blueberries) These were gone in minutes!

Bellini Champagne Punch (peach juice, ginger ale, raspberry ginger ale, triple sec, cheap sparkling wine, sliced peaches) Big hit- even with the guys!

Bellini Champagne Punch