I have been sorting thru all my accumulated stuff including recipes and hit upon a pile of old recipe clippings from magazines. One recipe clipping jumped out at me-“Smoke, Sauce, and Friends…”from Better Homes and Gardens July 2006.-“One man’s recipe for the perfect Fourth of July BBQ party.”
It is a given when there is food, there are friends and family. Summer is the time for BBQs and picnics. It is when people get together to enjoy good company and food. The article is about Jeff and his son who had “gone on a cross-country barbecue-tasting trip earlier in the year and wanted to demonstrate what they had learned. They invited 30 people to join them in their backyard to sample their efforts.” It became a huge hit. Over the years it has become a legend and has grown to be 200 or so people participating.
“The keys to a successful barbecue, he says are smoke, time, and organization. Also, by popular demand, the menu remains the same each year.” “All the recipes are basic traditional classics, nothing fussy or labor intensive.” “The key to success is having food that suits all kinds of palates.” With limited time and cooking space on the day of the picnic, “anything that can be done ahead of time is a bonus”. Cookies are made ahead of time and frozen, slaw is shredded the day before but dressed right before serving so it doesn’t get soggy. The pork is cooked and shredded the day before and reheated the day of the event. Brisket preparation is reserved for the picnic day for smoking and slicing. It is like a fine tuned orchestra. Over the years as the event increased in size, logistics were modified to stream line the work. The food is served on paper plates and buffet style.
“This party is about more than food, however. For the Davis family, it’s a way to come together each year for an event that has become a shared source of pride. For them, as for the guests, it also a nice way to reconnect with people we may not see much socially at any other time of year.” This is such a universal experience with all of us! Family reunions, special holiday get togethers, graduation parties; you name it.
Here is a recipe from that article for Davis Dry Rub
½ cup paprika
1/3 cup ground black pepper
¼ cup salt
¼ cup chili powder
¼ cup ground cumin
¼ cup brown sugar
3 Tbs. granulated sugar
2 tbs. cayenne pepper
In a small bowl stir together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Makes 2 cups rub. Use on fish, chicken, pork, vegetables for the grill.
There are so many recipes in this article for their picnic. The dishes served were the same every year. Wouldn’t it have been grand to give each person who attended this picnic every year a cookbook with pictures and recipes? RootsinRecipes.com is the place to create such a cookbook.
Are you a foodie? Do you have a traditional event such as this?
Food + Family = Love
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