Looking for inspiration for your fabulous Labor Day BBQ?

Look no further.

People magazine has a sweet slideshow of amazing spreads for your perusing pleasure.

Behold the finger-licking goodness of the Cali Lettuce-Wrap Burger (above), made with lean ground beef and no bun!

Then, feast your eyes upon an Herb-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, Apple Cider BBQ Ribs and Bacon BBQ Oysters. Yes, oysters! With bacon!

There are gorgeous desserts and fruity drinks, plus decadent sides you can make to create one awesome barbecue.

Or . . . you can just look at the purty pictures and drool.

Either way, check out these masterpieces here. And have a happy, happy Labor Day!

Photo courtesy of Raymond Hom via People.com. 

I like fried foods.

I like Thanksgiving dinner.

But, nope, I don’t think I’d like my entire Thanksgiving dinner fried up into one ball of grease.

Maybe that’s just me.

See, it’s approaching State Fair time in Texas and that’s when the crazy fryers come out. Fried Nutella. Fried bacon.

And turkey and stuffing rolled in cream corn and corn meal and fried to a crisp. Oh, and served with sides of cranberry sauce AND gravy. (See photo of turkey dinner fried up into a ball above.)

Because it’s not heavy enough. You need GRAVY.

Go ahead. Check out an entire slide show of fried masterpieces here.

You might find something to serve at your next holiday meal. Me? I prefer my turkey this way, thank you.

Photo courtesy of wfaa.com.

This month is National Hot Dog Month! And I love hot dogs, BUT they have to be all-beef hot dogs.

For a beef girl there is absolutely no substitute.

Luckily, all-beef hot dogs are in large supply. And I will be celebrating them this month (i.e. EATING them).

I’m pretty non-adventurous when it comes to slathering on interesting toppings. But apparently people get really into dressing their dogs up with cra-zay things. I like that. I wish I were more like that.

Here’s some toppings I never would have thought of in a million years…

Mango Salsa

Kimchi

Potato Chips (crushed, of course)

Mac ‘n Cheese

There are others and you can read all about these crazy hot dog toppings here.

But why not think of your own?

Like spicy hot things? Wasabi. M&Ms? Sure.

There’s an endless creativity involved here and it’s pretty fun. The best thing? You get to eat it!

Have fun creating YOUR perfect dog!

Photo courtesy of Shine.Yahoo.com.