Ep 1. Patio Party

In the first episode of the twelfth season of Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee, Sandra is throwing a Patio Party. She starts off by showing viewers how to make a delicious Blueberry Lemonade with fresh blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and club soda. Sandra reminds viewers that when hosting a party, it's always important to have non-alcoholic options available for those who don't drink.

Next up, Sandra makes her Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Kabobs. She skewers fresh shrimp, red and green bell peppers, red onion, and yellow squash before brushing them with a delicious garlic butter sauce. She then grills them until the shrimp are pink and the vegetables are slightly charred. This dish is perfect for a summer party because it's light, healthy, and full of flavor.

For the main course, Sandra makes her BBQ Bacon Burgers with Tangy Coleslaw. She starts by mixing ground beef with BBQ sauce and crushed bacon before forming it into burger patties. She then grills the patties to perfection and tops them with cheddar cheese. To make the tangy coleslaw, she combines mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and shredded cabbage and carrots. This burger pairs perfectly with a side of crispy french fries.

For dessert, Sandra makes her Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes. She starts with a box of white cake mix and adds fresh lemon zest and strawberry puree to the batter. She then bakes the cupcakes until golden brown and tops them with a sweet cream cheese frosting. To add a pop of color, she decorates them with pink sanding sugar and a fresh strawberry slice.

Throughout the episode, Sandra shows viewers how to take shortcuts in the kitchen without sacrificing flavor. For example, she uses a box of cake mix for the cupcakes instead of making the batter from scratch. She also recommends buying pre-made coleslaw mix to save time when making the tangy coleslaw.

Overall, the Patio Party episode of Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee is perfect for anyone looking to host a fun and flavorful summer gathering. Sandra's recipes are easy to follow and sure to impress your guests. With refreshing drinks, grilled kabobs, juicy burgers, and sweet cupcakes, this menu has something for everyone.