Adobe Stock / Joshua Resnick
Fire up the grill and launch into summer barbecue season with our favorite off-the-beaten-path, seasonal recipes in Westchester.
Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of grilling season, but there’s more to a good barbecue than piling burgers and dogs over an open flame. Here are some of our favorite summer recipes to show off all the amazing flavors this season has to offer.
Martha Stewart’s Cherry Mojitos
When cherries come into season, there are plenty of ways to use them — pies, salads, compotes, and more — but nothing’s quite as simple as macerating them in lime and simple syrup to create this refreshing, big-batch vodka-based mojito.
Mission Taqueria’s Summer Frosé
Poolside on a sunny day with a glass of frosé in hand sounds like a summer dream. The best part: You don’t need a fancy bartender to make this frosty, picture-perfect cocktail. Pleasantville’s Mission Taqueria (soon to be 105-Seventy Bar & Grill) shares its refreshing recipe.
Watermelon, Tomato, and Feta Salad
Two of summer’s all-stars, watermelon and tomato, share the spotlight in this one-bowl salad that’s the perfect recipe for a backyard barbecue or Memorial Day celebration (or to pack in Tupperware for lunch at your desk on a random Tuesday).
Grilled Oysters With Cultured Butter and Aleppo Pepper
Former Eugene’s (now closed) chef Iulia Mahu prefers local, sustainable Stella Mar oysters for this recipe. Plan ahead — the beurre blanc needs to be stored in the fridge overnight, but it’s well worth it. Can’t find pequin peppers? Arbol chilies are a good substitute
Herb-Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
Skip the gloopy barbecue sauce and try this stupid-simple, perfectly charred chicken recipe. Even with time to marinate in white wine, chopped herbs, garlic, shallot, and lemon, dinner’s on the table in less than 45 minutes.
Exit 4 Food Hall’s Rotiss-a-Q Smoked Pulled PorkÂ
Low and slow is the mantra of all good pit masters, and marinating this pork overnight is going to bring out all the complex flavors imbued within. It’s a must if you’re on the hunt for crowd-pleasing Memorial Day recipes.
Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon
Cook to impress at your next barbecue with this no-fuss grilling technique that delivers big on flavor and presentation. The cedar grilling plank infuses the salmon with a smoky, sumptuous flavor. For a milder aroma, try alder or maple wood.
 Corn al Parmigiano
The Cookery’s Chef Sajin Renae has a riff on Mexican street corn that features two topping options: a charred tomato vinaigrette and an avocado mash. For smaller servings, grilled ears of corn can be cut in half before coating.
Revenge BBQ’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Looking for Memorial Day recipes that will please adults and kids alike? Kick back with a bowl of this cheesy goodness from (now closed) Revenge BBQ in Irvington.
Blueberry Crumbles
When blueberry season hits Westchester, there’s nothing better — or easier — than a quick crumble. (Sorry, pie crust.) This recipe also freezes well so you can have a taste of summer well into the fall.
Martha Stewart’s Firecracker Ice Pops
Because Martha. And hot summer days. And Fourth of July. And ’Murica.
Strawberry Shortcake BiscuitsÂ
Sara Leand, owner of The Snackery Bakeshop in Rye shares her recipe for the shop’s light and fluffy strawberry shortcake biscuits.
Grilled Peach-Cherry Manhattan Sundaes
For her Manhattan-cocktail-inspired sundae, L’inizio’s Heather Fratangelo likes using local whiskey and Hudson Valley-based Crown Maple Syrup.
