Bar Bee Que?

I smoked a pork shoulder for Cat's party this weekend. Six hours on the grill Saturday, and another 6 in the crock pot Sunday.  This could become a regular thing.

Cream of Pickle Soup

Happy New Year!
I didn't drink a lot last night, but still managed to incur a slight hangover.  This soup is pretty much a miracle cure, and it's tasty, albeit unusual.
Put some chopped onion in a saucepan and start to cook it with butter or oil.
Add some diced ham or sausage, a hot dog works!
Finely chop some pickles and pickled peppers of your choice.
A can of Frank's Kraut (Bavarian style) is the medicine..
One can of tomato soup, and some pepper goes in.
Thin a bit with milk or water, and serve with sour cream.
Better and tastier than aspirin!

Canaramma

Fifty two jars of tomatoes with basil today, Cathy and her Mom peeled and chopped while I blanched and boiled.

BLT Pasta Salad

When I say we are having sink sandwhiches for dinner, my honey knows that BLT's are on the menu.  I put so much mayo on them we have to eat them over the sink.  That flavor translates easily into a nice summer salad.
First, boil up a half pound of squiggly pasta, fry some bacon, and start the dressing.  A half cup of mayo and a half cup of sour cream to start, then some salt and pepper along with a couple tablespoons of ketchup or chile sauce.  Mix them up and add a little chopped onion.  Toss in a large tomato chopped up, or a bunch of cherry matos halved.  Three or four strips of bacon make it yummy, just crumble them into the bowl.  Introductions are now in order, Mr. saucy, meet Miss pasta, allow them to mingle while you slice up a couple cups of lettuce.  Lay the lettuce on top and cover with plastic wrap before putting in the fridge, mix it up just before serving.

Roast Corn

The fourth is a pleasant memory, and it's the peak of summer.  Certainly it's hot enough this week!  We did manage to get in a bike ride or two, having the sense to go during the relatively cool mornings.  After one of the rides, we sought out one of the farmer's stands in the neighborhood and glory of glories, there was fresh local corn to be had.  Well we had corn for supper that night, and gnawed down 3 ears each in a shameful spate of time.  Now grilling corn is a lot easier than most make it out to be, all you have to do is buy fresh corn, and toss it on the grill for 15 minutes or so.  When they're done grab each ear with a pair of heavy gloves and peel the husk and silk off the cob, it's easy to do when the corn is well cooked.  The only thing you need then is butter, salt and pepper.  Unless of course, you wish to do something special, then you can make Cajun Chipotle Butter!

Soften a stick of butter, then mix in...
about a half teaspoon of Cajun seasoning
a pinch of chipotle powder
sprinkle of salt
a few grinds of pepper
some white pepper if you have it
and a squirt of lime juice
roll up in wax paper and stick in the fridge

Yummy!  I hardly noticed when one of my corn holders slipped out of an ear, and I stabbed myself in the cheek.  Totally worth it.

Rhubarb!

The Rhubarb came up very early this year, so I had to pick and freeze some before it became woody.

8 quarts in the freezer, hope we can pick some strawberries later and put them together in some Jam!

Made some Rhubarb tea, and left some out for baking too. Free fruit springs up in my backyard every spring!

Memorial Day

In what should be for all Americans, a reverent day, I celebrated a blessed day free from work. My offering to the family on this day was my semi-famous Italian sausage, an example of humble ingredients transformed by skill, nay artistry into a culinary delight. Okay, never mind that BS, this is a really easy, albeit time consuming way to wow your holiday guests.
Start out by dusting off your crock pot, and throw 2 huge sliced onions into it. Then add 2 green and 2 red peppers, sliced nicely, and a bit of garlic. For moisture you should put in a big can of crushed tomatoes, and some diced ones as well. What really amps this up is about a half a jar of salsa of your choice. Put in some pepper, a bit of Italian seasoning if available, toss in a three pound box of Italian sausage and cook on low for 4 or 5 hours. This is a summer dish, and you still need to use your grill. Slip the babies out of the sauce, and grill them until they are golden brown and bubbly inside, then put them back into the pot. After a half hour or so they will be done, leaving the grill open for burgers or whatever. Service is easy, just drop into a bun, and ladle the peppers and onions on top. These babies will melt in your mouth!