if i haven't already convinced you, summer is all about the grill. firing up the bbq gets you outside, saves you on dishes and really pumps up the flavor of your food.
and good summer corn is one of my favorite things to grill. after soaking, corn's husk makes the perfect barrier to cook but not burn the corn.
corn's only downside? you don't want to be picking it out of your teeth for the next twenty four. taking the extra step to remove the corn from the cob will save you, and your guests from the unpleasant task of gnawing the kernels off the cob and it gives you the chance to mix in some other great summer ingredients. 

grilled corn salad
serves: 4
prep time: 1 hour
cook time: 30 minutes
total time: 1.5 hours
ingredients: 4 ears sweet corn, husks on. 3 large spring onions. 1 small bunch radish. .5 c cilantro, roughly chopped. 2 tbs olive oil. 1 tbs lemon juice. 1 tbs brown sugar. 1 tsp salt. .5 tsp pepper. 

in the sink or large pot of water, soak the corn for 1 hour.
when you are ready to grill, turn on the bbq to a medium high heat. if you have a charcoal grill, make sure to grill the veggies slightly off of the direct heat.
place the corn on the grill and cook, turning every 10 minutes until the husks are pretty well grilled and the corn is cooked through. 30-40 minutes. 

while the corn is grilling, combine radish, onions, olive oil, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper. toss them together well. when the corn is a almost done, grill the onions and radish just until they both have good grill marks. about 4 minutes a side. reserve the vinaigrette the veggies were soaking in. 

when the corn and the veggies are done, allow them to cool enough for you to handle. 

halve the cobs of corn and carefully, slice the kernels off the cob. 

roughly chop the spring onions and radish. in a medium bowl combine the corn, onions, radish and cilantro. drizzle with the remaining marinade, toss and serve cool or at room temp. 

xoxo
a

grilled corn salad
serves: 4
prep time: 1 hour
cook time: 30 minutes
total time: 1.5 hours
ingredients: 4 ears sweet corn, husks on. 3 large spring onions. 1 small bunch radish. .5 c cilantro, roughly chopped. 2 tbs olive oil. 1 tbs lemon juice. 1 tbs brown sugar. 1 tsp salt. .5 tsp pepper.
in the sink or large pot of water, soak the corn for 1 hour.
when you are ready to grill, turn on the bbq to a medium high heat. if you have a charcoal grill, make sure to grill the veggies slightly off of the direct heat.
place the corn on the grill and cook, turning every 10 minutes until the husks are pretty well grilled and the corn is cooked through. 30-40 minutes.
while the corn is grilling, combine radish, onions, olive oil, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt and pepper. toss them together well. when the corn is a almost done, grill the onions and radish just until they both have good grill marks. about 4 minutes a side. reserve the vinaigrette the veggies were soaking in.
when the corn and the veggies are done, allow them to cool enough for you to handle.
halve the cobs of corn and carefully, slice the kernels off the cob.
roughly chop the spring onions and radish. in a medium bowl combine the corn, onions, radish and cilantro. drizzle with the remaining marinade, toss and serve cool or at room temp. 

one month from today, my family and i will be getting off a plane in brazil for the olympic games. 

on thursday, we are headed down to san diego for the official olympic team announcement where we are expecting to hear that my youngest brother joshua has qualified for the 2016 rio games. and if for some reason he doesn't qualify, i'll be spending almost three weeks with my feet in the brazilian sand. fuck zika.

yesterday, in addition to celebrating our nations birth, the samuels clan celebrated josh, his long road coming to a climax, and just being together as a family. 

and i couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than with a refreshing, bright summer cocktail. i'm usually a standard vodka soda drinker, but this lightly fruity but crisp concoction really hit the spot on a summer day spent by the pool. 

cucumber pineapple smash
prep time: 3 minutes
serves: 6 oz
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 4 oz club soda. 3 sprigs cilantro. 3 slices cucumber. 3 large fresh pineapple chunks. ice.

in a pint glass or shaker, combine the cilantro, 2 of the cucumber slices and the pineapple. using a muddler or a tablespoon, smash together the herbs and fruit till they are pretty well smashed. 

add the vodka to the glass/shaker, fill with ice and shake well. 

fill a tumbler with ice. strain the vodka and fruit mixture over the ice. 

top the vodka with the club soda. garnish with remaining cucumber slice and any of the pineapple chunks if you like and serve. 

xoxo
a

cucumber pineapple smash
prep time: 3 minutes
serves: 6 oz
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 4 oz club soda. 3 sprigs cilantro. 3 slices cucumber. 3 large fresh pineapple chunks. ice.
in a pint glass or shaker, combine the cilantro, 2 of the cucumber slices and the pineapple.
using a muddler or a tablespoon, smash together the herbs and fruit till they are pretty well smashed.
add the vodka to the glass/shaker, fill with ice and shake well.
fill a tumbler with ice. strain the vodka and fruit mixture over the ice.
top the vodka with the club soda. garnish with remaining cucumber slice and any of the pineapple chunks if you like and serve.