Are you grilling this 4th of July? Share some recipes, rubs, sides...

gas grilling

-- ears corn, husked and cleaned
-- Garlic butter
-- Cajun seasoning to taste
-- salt / black pepper to taste
-- sliced bacon
-- 12x8-inch sheets heavy duty aluminum foil
--- Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat
--- Lightly spread some garlic butter on ears
--- Sprinkle each ear of corn with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, and wrap each ear with 2 slices of bacon, covering the ear as completely as possible. (A big ear might need 3 pieces of bacon.) Wrap the ears in aluminum foil, twisting the ends tightly to seal
--- Place the wrapped corn on the preheated grill, and grill on high heat until the corn is hot, about 10 minutes per side. Turn the heat to Low, and grill the corn until the bacon is cooked and the corn is tender, about 45 minutes... Like the saying goes: EVERYTHING is better with bacon!!!

WATERMELON CAKE--- BBQ's piece de resistance.

INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips 1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box 1 package (0.13 oz) cherry-flavored or other red-colored unsweetened soft drink mix 1 container Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting Green and red food colors 2/3 cup green jelly beans

PREP Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease or spray two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans. In small bowl, toss 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of the cake mix.

BATTER In large bowl, beat remaining cake mix, the water, oil, egg whites and drink mix with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in the 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Pour into pans. Bake and cool as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds.

ICING In small bowl, stir 1 cup of the frosting with 10 to 12 drops green food color. Stir 10-12 drops red food color into remaining frosting. Frost sides of cakes with green frosting; press green jelly beans into frosting. Frost tops of cakes with red frosting; press remaining 2 tablespoons chocolate chips into frosting for "seeds." Serve wedges on pretty plates. Store loosely covered.

Pro Tips * Use mini chips tossed in bit cake mix to stay distributed in the cake.

* Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy creamy white frosting can be used for the Whipped frosting.

* Can use Strawberry Cake Mix---watermelon jello.

delicious pie that people just love on a hot summer day

-- 2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker Crusts
-- 6 tablespoons butter
-- 1 (7 ounce) package shredded coconut
-- 1 cup chopped pecans
-- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
-- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, Softened
--1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
--1 (12 ounce) jar caramel ice cream Topping
----- Place butter in a medium skillet and melt over medium heat. Add coconut and pecans, stirring to coat. Saute until coconut and pecans are lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Set aside. ---- In a large mixing bowl, whip together condensed milk and cream cheese until fluffy. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon 1/4 of cream cheese mixture into each graham cracker crust. Drizzle each with 1/4 of caramel topping. Repeat layers with remaining cream cheese mixture and caramel. Top each pie with coconut and pecan mixture. Freeze overnight.

These are a good BBQ alternative for those who are gluten-free.

Brush cooked baked potatoes shells halved lngthwise with garlic butter. Crisp on grill 4-4-1/2 min per side. SPOON sliced franks into potato shells; drizzle with barbecue sauce and top with cheese. Grill/melt. Top with sour cream and chives---or leave franks whole and slip into potato skins, add fave toppings.

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This makes a nice addition to a BBQ--good do-ahead.

Watermelon Ribbon Basket

Use fully ripe melon---feels heavy---has sweet/fresh fragrance.

METHOD Level w/ thin slice cut from bottom. Draw a straight line (just above center), then draw a handle diagonally across top; then bow so that one edge of bow is connected to edge. Cutout/remove top sections leaving handle/bow intact. Scoop out insides w/ melon baller; leave a trace of red inside. Invert/drain watermelon.

Fruit Salad: Combine sugar, lime juice, lemon juice, vanilla, orange liqueur option, and lime zest. Stir well. Add cantaloupe/honeydew/watermelon melon ball, strawberries, grapes; toss to combine. Chill 30 min.

Just before serving, fill watermelon basket. Scoop out into dessert cups or pretty glass goblets topped with a scoop of sorbet, mint sprig garnish.

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