a summer BBQ (because HELLO june!)

I've never really thrown a BBQ before. It's not that I haven't wanted to, I've just never had a gol-dang yard of my own before. I actually STILL don't have a yard of my own haha (crying on the inside), but until our blessed move-in day arrives next month and our very own yard is officially official, we decided to throw a little kick off BBQ with the whole family at my sister and brother-in-law's house, and give it a little flavor theme to boot.

Which was: Choluuuuuuuuuula hot sauce

I wouldn't go as far as to say that I'm an EXPERT at hot sauce, but I did grow up with my dad, which makes me AT LEAST apprentice level when it comes to hot saucing all the things. So I was pretty excited about our theme, as I got to try out a few fun recipes and take all their flavors for a whirl. Did you know there are five different kids of Cholula?? FIVE. Original, Chipotle, Chili Lime, Chili Garlic, and Green Pepper.

 The first recipe I tried were these Chipotle Chocolate Brownies (recipe here), which I flavored with the Cholula Chipotle hot sauce. I don't know if you guys have ever tried a spicy chili dark chocolate bar before, but it's, hands down, my favorite kind of chocolate. If I hadn't already known that, I would've felt hesitant about trying to mix hot sauce and brownies, but you guys are just gonna have to trust me on this one. It is bomb.

 Next of course, was the guac. Guac is a given. Guac is essential. Guac flavored with a little Cholula Chili Lime hot sauce is marriage material. 

OK, this corn salad was genius and I recommend it as your contribution to any and all summer BBQ's that you may be attending this year. Everyone will ask for the recipe. I took this recipe online, which is sweet and fresh and summer in your mouth all on its own, and then mixed in a little bit of Cholula Green Pepper hot sauce to add a little kick of flavor, and I do not regret it. 

 For another side, I took inspiration from this yummy summer mango salad, and followed the directions, flavored with a little dash of Cholula Chili Garlic hot sauce. You guys, are you getting hungry yet? I want leftovers.

 My BIL Bryan had to head out to work and couldn't stay to eat, but he did grab a little to-go. Official stamp of approval on the Cholula Green Pepper hot sauce.

When we started up the grill, everybody got in there for a quick taste test of each sauce to pick out which one they wanted on their burger.

I have to say the Cholula Chipotle hot sauce won out for me.

Also winning? This mouthful. 

Cheers to you, summer.

And to this.

This post was sponsored by Cholula® Hot Sauce. For quick tips, recipes and creative ways to Uncap Real Flavor™ visit Cholula.com.