ReTRo HouSeWiFe

BARBECUES, PICNICS & BACKYARD PARTIES

A reader requested some tips on pulling off a great barbecue, and with summer here, there is no better time than the present!

How we barbecue at our house:

In my family, we have always used the round, bowling ball could-be-a-Martian with 3 legs Weber Barbeque. My father has the red one, we have it in black. It has absolutely no bells and whistles, and serious grillers would probably consider us pure amateurs, but it does the trick! You can't beat the price either. Sure you have to get your own fire going, but who fires up the barbeque when pressed for time?

Part of the charm of grilling is taking the time to get the fire going. This is a task that can be easily handed over to any male over the age of 10, and the sight of one man lighting the barbeque will attract every other male in the vicinity, and soon they will be standing around discussing the fire, sports or the latest in power tools and having a jolly good time.

Ingredients for a Great Barbeque!

1. Good Friends and Family: For me, BBQ'ing is about good food and good Friends and Family. Over the years we have developed a core group of friends that we round up on 3 day weekends and other times when the mood strikes. Our BBQ bunch fits together nicely as everyone has kids and even though there is an age difference of 12 years between the oldest and the youngest, they still manage to amuse themselves as only kids can do. The younger ones adore and idolize the older kids, and the older kids get a boost to their self esteem from being the object of this adoration. As most parents already know, when the kids are happy the parents are happy. The adults can relax and talk, and the low key atmosphere makes it easy to invite a neighbor or new guest without them feeling out of place.
2. Location and the Lonely Grill Master:  Make sure it is easy for the guests to hang out in safe proximity to your grill. If one person has to continuously go outside to "check the grill", the likelihood of winding up with "Blackened Meat" is pretty high. Set up some lounge chairs, a drink bucket and appetizers near enough to the grilling location so that people will naturally congregate there and keep the cook company.
3. Take Basic Safety Precautions:  Don't leave flammable stuff around the fire, remove the garden hose that is stretched across the patio so no one will trip, make sure you have a working fire extinguisher and a first aid kit handy, and if alcohol is present, that no one overindulges. Make sure your pets are safe and secure. Our dogs love these get-togethers due to the abundance of food left lying around, and the many opportunities for escape. If you are the proud owner of fluffy, the pit-bull terrier who is the most gentle dog in the world and would never hurt anyone, lock him/her up and make sure your guests are aware of where fluffy is confined.
4. Keep it Simple and USE THE BBQ: If I invite people over, the last thing I want to do is spend the whole time in the kitchen. Keep the menu simple, and cook everything you can on the grill. The only thing I prepare in the kitchen is the salad. Here is a simple menu that guests (and kids) love and takes very little time to prepare and clean up.
   1. Tri-tip Roast Patagonia: A friend of ours from Chile taught us this and it produces tender, juicy meat! Take your tri-tip and cover it in COARSELY ground salt. The coarsely ground salt seals the juices in and provides flavor without making the meat salty. Grill the meat uncovered, until the cooked to the proper temperature. The shape of the tri-tip gives you well done, medium and medium rare meat at the same time!
   2. Baked Potatoes: Wrap up the potatoes in aluminum foil and toss them straight onto the coals. Let them bake until you can insert a fork into them easily. BTW, the wrapping of the potatoes and corn on the cob is a great job for the kids!
   3. Corn on the Cob: Wrap up the corn in aluminum foil and toss onto the grill about 5 minutes before the meat is done.
   4. Grilled Green Onions: Wash some green onions and cook them directly on the grill for great flavor.
   5. Great Big Salad: Find the biggest salad bowl you can, and start with a couple heads of lettuce (I prefer romaine, leaf lettuce or baby greens to iceberg for this). Add as many other veggies as you can find or feel like chopping and then season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. My staple salad has lettuce, green onion and avocado.
   6. Watermelon for Dessert: I like a crisp watermelon so I stick mine in the freezer for an hour or two before I cut it. You don't want it to freeze, just get nice and cool!

   There you have it! The menu is simple, but tastes great and the prep time is minimal. Not only that, but the food is healthy and relatively inexpensive. You won't spend the whole time in the kitchen and your family and friends will be well fed and happy!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell us at the retro housewife hotline!

Ingredients For a Great BBQ

1. Good Friends and/or Family.

2. Clean and comfortable sitting area in proximity of Grill.

3. Safety and Common Sense.

4. Good Food

This is my Weber Barbecue (well one like it). I have had mine for at least 10 years now! I think it looks a bit like an alien...

Weber 441001 One Touch Silver 18.5 Inch, Black Charcoal Grill

It also seems to come with an extra rocket launcher...

Weber in Blue

If my Weber Barbecue had a party, he would invite this guy...

Weber 16123 Chill Bottle Rack - Known Party Animal