Just because they call it labor day doesn’t mean you have to work hard. Take it easy and enjoy your grill this last weekend of summer with these simple recipes.

Chorizo Stuffed Dates

Grilled Artichokes

Basil Aioli

Creamy Bean Dip

Creole Vegetable Dip

Chicago Style Hot Dog

Grilled Bratwurst

Mexican Hot Dogs

Rollercoaster Burger

Classic Hamburger

Pulled Pork E. North Carolina

Jalapeno Chicken

Pork Ribs Oaxacan Style

German Potato Salad

Coleslaw

Macaroni Salad

Grilled Asparagus

Elote

Lemon Squares

Grilled Pineapple

About 12 years ago I went back to Peru to visit my family and to show off my new bride. Since you can’t go to Peru without visiting Cuzco and Machu Pichu we took the crazy plane ride from Lima to the city that is at around 12,000 feet above sea level. As you take off and the plane starts to climb into the sky you realize that you never level off the plane is continually going higher and higher into the sky. When you look out the plane’s windows you see high peaks on either side piercing through the high clouds.

When you arrive in Cuzco the hotel serves you coca tea and advises you to take it easy so you can get used to the altitude and lack of oxygen. Needless to say we crashed and slept most of the day. As we woke up to a darkened Cuzco we were starving and hit the streets looking for something to eat.

We came across a large Polleria (chicken joint). As we entered this cavernous picnic bench filled hall we saw in the center a huge brick fireplace with a rotisserie inside with at least 60-skewered chickens. As this rotisserie went round and round each chicken was licked by the huge wood burning fire below. The juices were running and dropping like rain onto the fire providing a great symphony of sizzle.

We ordered two chickens, which were served on top of French fries with a salad on the side and a squeeze bottle of the huacatay hot sauce. We sat there tearing pieces of meat with our fingers from this juicy and tasty chicken. With each bite we gave it a little hit of the hot sauce, took a bite from the salad, and chased it with some great soaked French fries. I

t was the perfect meal to start our visit in Cuzco. Juicy pollo a la brasa and here’s the recipe: http://www.simplefoodie.com/recipes/pollo_a_la_brasa.htm

I went to Chicago ten years ago to keep my wife company on a business trip. As she worked I toured the great neighborhood filled city of Chicago. While I was walking down one of the streets I passed a hot dog restaurant. I knew Chicago was famous for sausages just by watching old Saturday Night Live skits of the Da Bears where they ate brats and drank lots of beer so I decided to go in and get a hot dog.

It was no ordinary hot dog. In a poppy seed bun they put in a freshly grilled hot dog with a dill pickle spear on one side and tomato slices on the other side sprinkled with celery salt. In between they spread mustard and relish. It was topped with diced onions and sport peppers to give it a little kick.

I never saw a hot dog like this as I was used to the traditional boiled hot dog with ketchup and mustard. Pretty boring. Since I was walking around I took it to go and I got as far as a half block before I had to turn around and get another one. For the rest of the trip I had to go every day and get two Chicago hot dogs. Here’s the recipe: http://www.simplefoodie.com/recipes/chicago_style_hot_dog.htm