Who's grilling or bbqing today?

Len is putting the American flag up and we're having about 20 friends over this evening while remembering all who sacrificed their lives in serving our country (and other countries...)

I think we will be eating well. Here's the menu.

-Cold shrimp and cocktail sauce
-Hot artichoke, onion and cheese dip
-Watermelon, cucumber, feta and mint salad (sounds similar to JoAnn's from Paella night)
-French potato and green bean salad (mustard vinaigrette)
-Cornbread pudding with green chiles
-Len's pork ribs (smoked on the BGE)
-Marinated sirloin tip (grilled)
-Grilled honey ginger Salmon (for those who don't eat meat)
-Homemade strawberry shortcakes
-(and a friend is bringing a "Dreamsical" cake)
-(and another friend is bringing homemade ice cream)

How about you guys? Anyone cooking?

Being as I'm hacking my lungs out and sneezing my head off from this head cold, I doubt I'll cook anything today that doesn't involve a microwave. Besides, we're (hopefully ) going to finish getting the boys moved out today. They've had the apartment for 9 days now, and have yet to spend a night there. Beds and computers are last to get moved.

We're smoking a chicken on the BGE.

[Jenise]

In a fit of pinot grigio-induced largesse late yesterday afternoon, I invited the neighbors over for grilled steak tonight. Now never mind that, as I realized to my horror in this morning's sobriety, that I have no kitchen, no more than two of any utensil available, and nothing but paper plates. I'm not even sure, in the cold light of daylight uncertainty and self-introspection, why I thought they'd want to spend time with us! This is my only house. Theirs is a second home and they could buy and sell us 184 times over. Oh, and we don't have a dining room table! Last night it was a perfect night for eating outside, but today it's cooler and quite windy. I'll be dragging patio stuff inside, then, and serving on a cold concrete floor.

I've asked Bob this morning to, in the future, put a leash on me after the first glass of wine--do not let me go anywhere near that fence!

I don't even have a decanter to ready a good wine.

So I guess I'm leaning toward a Bistecca Florentine style dinner: two huge rib eye steaks (each a dinner for two) and various simple accoutrements. Grilled asparagus, probably, and maybe an heirloom tomato carpaccio with fresh local goat cheese and basil, and some kind of mushroom or eggplant bruschetta. For dessert, fruit and cheese.

In a fit of pinot grigio-induced largesse late yesterday afternoon, I invited the neighbors over for grilled steak tonight. Now never mind that, as I realized to my horror in this morning's sobriety, that I have no kitchen, no more than two of any utensil available, and nothing but paper plates. I'm not even sure, in the cold light of daylight uncertainty and self-introspection, why I thought they'd want to spend time with us! This is my only house. Theirs is a second home and they could buy and sell us 184 times over. Oh, and we don't have a dining room table! Last night it was a perfect night for eating outside, but today it's cooler and quite windy. I'll be dragging patio stuff inside, then, and serving on a cold concrete floor.

I've asked Bob this morning to, in the future, put a leash on me after the first glass of wine--do not let me go anywhere near that fence!

I don't even have a decanter to ready a good wine.

So I guess I'm leaning toward a Bistecca Florentine style dinner: two huge rib eye steaks (each a dinner for two) and various simple accoutrements. Grilled asparagus, probably, and maybe an heirloom tomato carpaccio with fresh local goat cheese and basil, and some kind of mushroom or eggplant bruschetta. For dessert, fruit and cheese.

I would gladly sit even "Indian style" (are we still allowed to use that term?) on your cold concrete floor to eat that delicious sounding meal with my bare hands while drinking wine from a Dixie cup, Jenise. Plus, it's really the company that counts, anyway. I wouldn't give it a thought.

I'll tell my menu since Howie has left Washington by now and is on his way here.

All American - Southern-Fried Chicken, cold, Deviled Potato Salad (Dijon), and fresh fruit. We'll be hitting several wineries with Alice, Linda, Howie and his son. We need portable food. Packing the picnic basket right now.

We are grilling cheddarburgers, and serving potaoto chips, and salad.

CHEDDARBURGERS:

1 lb Lean ground beef
3 Slice bacon
3 Scallions (green onions) minced
1/2 C Extra sharp yellow cheddar cheese shredded
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 tbl Worchestershire sauce
1 tbl Bottled chili sauce
1 tbl Ketchup
1 tbl Ice water

Fry bacon in skillet until crisp. Remove to paper towel, blot, and crumble fine. Drain off all but a tablespoon of fat from skillet and reserve excess fat. Saute scallions in skillet for five minutes. Combine bacon, scallions, and rest of ingredients together, and mix thoroughly. Form into four patties and chill. Brush patties with reserved bacon fat and grill over high heat/coals for fifteen minutes, turning once.

Make any substitutions you want, we already have today as I didn't feel like running out to pick up stuff!!!

Fry bacon in skillet until crisp. Remove to paper towel, blot, and crumble fine. Drain off all but a tablespoon of fat from skillet and reserve excess fat. Saute scallions in skillet for five minutes. Combine bacon, scallions, and rest of ingredients together, and mix thoroughly. Form into four patties and chill. Brush patties with reserved bacon fat and grill over high heat/coals for fifteen minutes, turning once.

Oh my goodness Carl. It never would have occurred to me to prepare burgers that way, but again--my GOODNESS--, that sounds incredible! Did you see it done like that before or did you come up with the idea?

My recipe. We've been making them for years. Today we're using white cheddar (no yellow in the house) and a half tablespoon on chile powder in two tablespoons of ketchup (no chile sauce). We also nuked the bacon, and sauteed the scallions in a tablespoon of butter. Will brush with EVOO before grilling.

[Jenise]

In a fit of pinot grigio-induced largesse late yesterday afternoon, I invited the neighbors over for grilled steak tonight. Now never mind that, as I realized to my horror in this morning's sobriety, that I have no kitchen, no more than two of any utensil available, and nothing but paper plates. I'm not even sure, in the cold light of daylight uncertainty and self-introspection, why I thought they'd want to spend time with us! This is my only house. Theirs is a second home and they could buy and sell us 184 times over. Oh, and we don't have a dining room table! Last night it was a perfect night for eating outside, but today it's cooler and quite windy. I'll be dragging patio stuff inside, then, and serving on a cold concrete floor.

I've asked Bob this morning to, in the future, put a leash on me after the first glass of wine--do not let me go anywhere near that fence!

I don't even have a decanter to ready a good wine.

So I guess I'm leaning toward a Bistecca Florentine style dinner: two huge rib eye steaks (each a dinner for two) and various simple accoutrements. Grilled asparagus, probably, and maybe an heirloom tomato carpaccio with fresh local goat cheese and basil, and some kind of mushroom or eggplant bruschetta. For dessert, fruit and cheese.

I would gladly sit even "Indian style" (are we still allowed to use that term?) on your cold concrete floor to eat that delicious sounding meal with my bare hands while drinking wine from a Dixie cup, Jenise. Plus, it's really the company that counts, anyway. I wouldn't give it a thought.

You're kind, but I used this as an excuse to go buy some square plates I'd been wanting anyway. Also bought a table cloth, a decanter, a water pitcher, and steak knives--things I've been wishing, since construction has gone on so long, I had kept out anyway.

As for "Indian style"--yes, you can still use it. Except in Cleveland.

Got the baby backs going about a hour ago. Putting finishing touches on the potato salad. The chicken and sausages will be going on the grill in about another 30 minutes. Heading to the grocery store soon to pick up some Hornsby (feel like a little ale today) to go with the 'Que.

Mmmmmmm Gooooood with a nice BJ.

[Jenise]

Mmmmmmm Gooooood with a nice BJ.

With WHAT???????

[David M. Bueker]

I hope he mans Beaujolais.

We decided to get a pizza tonight, as we have to go back to work tomorrow after a 4 day weekend & have zero enthusiasm. We did the grilling Saturday (Burgers) & Sunday (fresh Alaskan King Salmon).

Today we had our research groups over for an end-of-the-school year/beginning of Summer/Memorial Day BBQ feast. I prepared 3 sides of Copper River Salmon by smoking over apple wood, then BBQ'd pork ribs Memphis-style using two rubs: one spicy, one non-spicy (interestingly, the spicy went quicker). Smoked the ribs over hickory. We also provided the drinks, but the grad students bring the sides. This year that was samosas, insalata Caprese, Waldorf salad, potato and macaroni salads, an unnamed Thai dish, Mofongo and a few other things I've probably forgotten. A bit light on vegetable matter, but it is a Memorial Day BBQ, after all.

Mark Lipton

We did brisket, corn salad, friends brought another salad and a dish of carrots and onion cooked up with some cumin and other spices. The only thing grilled was some baby bok choy. Dessert was a cherry upside down cake and homemade strawberry-balsamic ice crean.

Grilled the first Copper River salmon of the season Monday. EVOO, sea salt, ground pepper. Cindy made mashed potatoes for her and the kids. Salad of romaine, EVOO, balsamic, pine nuts, and shredded cheese.

Did the ribs on Sunday on my new Weber Smoky Mountain smoker. Turned out great! Cole slaw and corn on the cob for the sides.

Today we had our research groups over for an end-of-the-school year/beginning of Summer/Memorial Day BBQ feast. I prepared 3 sides of Copper River Salmon by smoking over apple wood, then BBQ'd pork ribs Memphis-style using two rubs: one spicy, one non-spicy (interestingly, the spicy went quicker). Smoked the ribs over hickory. We also provided the drinks, but the grad students bring the sides. This year that was samosas, insalata Caprese, Waldorf salad, potato and macaroni salads, an unnamed Thai dish, Mofongo and a few other things I've probably forgotten. A bit light on vegetable matter, but it is a Memorial Day BBQ, after all.

Mark Lipton

Mark, sounds like a great menu. What was in your rubs? Our ribs were rubbed too. Semi-spicy. We use Steven Rachlan's Basic rub with a few tweaks.

Dessert was a cherry upside down cake and homemade strawberry-balsamic ice crean.

The homemade ice cream our friend brought was strawberry too but no balsamic. You have me wondering what that tasted like. Does it give it a little bit of tang?

Not only did I grill yesterday, but I ended up having to grill for 100% more people than I had planned on grilling for. Our original plan was to have two other couples over for dinner so I picked out 6, 28 day dry aged grade prime bone-in beef rib-eyes. Those combined with the fixins to make the side dishes went well over budget. That’s ok, I thought. I can just not eat for a week to make up of it.

Then on Sunday night Jody called me to tell me that her neighbors house was on fire. It sadly ended up burning to the ground so Jody invited them over to my house for dinner on Monday. I certainly could not serve them hot dogs and brats while everyone else ate the steaks so it was back to the store on Monday for 5 more very expensive steaks and more stuff to make side dishes.

Around 5:30 Jody’s neighbors arrived at my house. Two adults, three kids and the SISTER-IN-LAW that did not even live with them. By that time the store was closed, so getting another steak was not even an option and she ended up getting my steak.

It was obviously an extremely somber evening. The wife spent most of it crying and the husband quaffed down probably at least a quart of Sapphire so you know what kind of Jeckel and Hyde transformation we got to see in him. And what do you even say in a situation like that? “So, think the Vikings can win the Super Bowl this year”? or “Jeeez, I’m sorry your house burned down to the ground and you lost literally everything you owned, but look on the bright side…” The original two couples we invited could not wait to get out of there and I cannot really blame them. And the weather was crappy too.

Mark, sounds like a great menu. What was in your rubs? Our ribs were rubbed too. Semi-spicy. We use Steven Rachlan's Basic rub with a few tweaks.

Non-spicy rub was brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika
Spicy rub was brown sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, cayenne and a bit of mace

Mark Lipton

Mark, sounds like a great menu. What was in your rubs? Our ribs were rubbed too. Semi-spicy. We use Steven Rachlan's Basic rub with a few tweaks.

Non-spicy rub was brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika
Spicy rub was brown sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, cayenne and a bit of mace

Mark Lipton

The one we use is a combination of your two rubs (minus the mace--that might be interesting!) but with the addition of cumin, onion powder, Lawry's salt and dry mustard. Oh and a bit of crumbled dried oregano.

Not only did I grill yesterday, but I ended up having to grill for 100% more people than I had planned on grilling for. Our original plan was to have two other couples over for dinner so I picked out 6, 28 day dry aged grade prime bone-in beef rib-eyes. Those combined with the fixins to make the side dishes went well over budget. That’s ok, I thought. I can just not eat for a week to make up of it.

Then on Sunday night Jody called me to tell me that her neighbors house was on fire. It sadly ended up burning to the ground so Jody invited them over to my house for dinner on Monday. I certainly could not serve them hot dogs and brats while everyone else ate the steaks so it was back to the store on Monday for 5 more very expensive steaks and more stuff to make side dishes.

Around 5:30 Jody’s neighbors arrived at my house. Two adults, three kids and the SISTER-IN-LAW that did not even live with them. By that time the store was closed, so getting another steak was not even an option and she ended up getting my steak.

It was obviously an extremely somber evening. The wife spent most of it crying and the husband quaffed down probably at least a quart of Sapphire so you know what kind of Jeckel and Hyde transformation we got to see in him. And what do you even say in a situation like that? “So, think the Vikings can win the Super Bowl this year”? or “Jeeez, I’m sorry your house burned down to the ground and you lost literally everything you owned, but look on the bright side…” The original two couples we invited could not wait to get out of there and I cannot really blame them. And the weather was crappy too.

OMG Dave. What a story! I guess nice guys really do finish last... Sorry about your crummy holiday.

[Jenise]

Around 5:30 Jody’s neighbors arrived at my house. Two adults, three kids and the SISTER-IN-LAW that did not even live with them. By that time the store was closed, so getting another steak was not even an option and she ended up getting my steak.

It was obviously an extremely somber evening. The wife spent most of it crying and the husband quaffed down probably at least a quart of Sapphire so you know what kind of Jeckel and Hyde transformation we got to see in him.

Those poor people. That's a horrible tragedy, but quite frankly they should have begged off knowing what lousy company they'd be. Were you old friends that would be one thing, but you just don't impose that kind of fresh, raw misery on strangers. Are they staying with Jody?

You were kind to give up your steak, though, I would have too.