Roasted Red Potato Salad with Deep Woods Dressing

 It’s that time of the year again. Time for backyard brats and beach parties and starchy salads consumed al fresco.

 It’s also time to enjoy the delicious bounty of summer herbs that are readily available – hopefully as close as in your back yard.

Despite this year's hot dry weather, we've been religiously watering and gently pruning our basil plants to keep them in the best possible shape.

The sweat equity is well worth it when we get the hankering for a delicious BLT with garlic basil mayo, a bit of pesto for our pasta, or great picnic food like this deliciously easy potato salad.

This vinegar based salad starts with tender, new red potatoes roasted in butter until crisp and brown and then tossed with a fresh balsamic vinegar and basil vinaigrette while they’re warm.

After absorbing all of that deliciously sweet balsamic flavor, they’re dressed with plenty of freshly chopped basil. Serve this classic summer salad with crispy-skinned brats and an ice cold glass of beer.

Roasted Red Potato Salad with Deep Woods Dressing

©BURP! Where Food Happens

Sweet and Spicy Butter Roasted Chickpeas

 Ah, the summer road trip!

What's better than hopping in the car with a friend or two and heading off into the wild abyss? Going somewhere, anywhere, nowhere... with the radio blaring and the wind whipping through your hair.

Weekend road trips have become our savior in the past couple of years. We haven't had a lot of money for a "real" vacation. So, packing up for a day or three and heading out to find our own adventures has been the new normal. Interestingly enough, no matter how often we do it, I always find my brain hearkening back to the days of our youth -- back in college -- when road-tripping was the ultimate act of freedom.

When we're on the road, we often find ourselves falling back on crunchy treats like pretzels and crackers to stave off hunger and ensure that we won’t break down and head straight for the greasy goodness of the fast food drive-through window (which, honestly, doesn't have all that much allure -- but sometimes it's the only thing you can find for miles when you're out in the middle of nowhere).

But, even those seemingly healthy snacks aren’t always the best. They’re full of carbs and provide very little protein – which means they don’t have much staying power.

So, what is a hungry traveler to do?  Roast up some chickpeas, of course. 

If you haven’t yet tried roasted chickpeas, you’re in for a treat. These ultra-crunchy nibbles are healthy, easy, and addictive... maybe a little bit TOO addictive.

This particular combination of five-spice powder and honey gives them a flavor that comes out a bit like a cross between honey-roasted beer nuts and honey nut Cheerios. Best of all, they make awesome road trip food. They taste great, travel well, and provide a serious hit of protein precisely when you need it most.

Sweet and Spicy Butter Roasted Chickpeas

©BURP! Where Food Happens