Cookout While the Sun’s Still Out

Another weekend of planning around food over here, and this one was special after the first cookout in five years. Thankfully the barbecue knowledge didn’t fade away too much. Even wore the Terry Black’s t-shirt for good mojo. Big shoutout to Nate for the tag team barbecue duo back in action (and for being a photographer when I got too consumed by the goods).

Couldn’t have asked for a better weekend out in West Chester to gather some friends and family for a full meal of good eats and time-taking meats. First task to kick it all off was some classic shopping at Colonial Village Meat Market, a cookout must for all things meat, and then The Amish Market for only one very important thing on the list: cornbread.

That’s all to say, there may have been some additional purchases at both, which frankly are part of the tradition anyway: Corropolese tomato pie dropped off fresh to the market each morning and a Bieler’s Donuts apple fritter because ‘tis the season.

As for the menu for the cookout, the main smoked meat, and the whole reason I was up at 4 a.m. was pork butt. Thanks to the electric Traeger smoker I was able to set it and forget it till waking up later that morning and getting everything in motion.

Quick rundown of the dinner menu, of course:

• Pulled Pork

• Homemade sauces (Nate special): Alabama White and a Mustard-based winner

• Grilled Chicken Wings

• Italian Sausage Banh Mi Focaccia Slider (a quick switch up and honestly great addition by Nate, credit where credit’s due)

• Mac and Cheese (a staple at every cookout)

• Cole Slaw (a requirement, per my mom)

• Shishito Peppers and Potatoes

• Corn Bread (best around, no comparison. Also, definitely never described as healthy)

A pretty damn good spread if I do say so myself. And after five years, a few brain hiccups in the processes with recipes from years past, folks were fed and they were fed well. No complaints all around.

And of course there had to be dessert. That’s where the daily serving of fruit comes. Blueberry crumb cake, apple danishes (second weekend appearance), apple pie, and raspberry bars. I think that was everything? Sound like enough food? (Dessert not pictured because we were all stuffed.)

What’s Cookin’

I’m balancing the leftovers from the weekend with the simple roasted spinach-feta turkey meatballs and vegetables over lemon parsley orzo. Somehow there weren’t as many leftovers as expected. Maybe that’s what happens when you make people wait to eat an hour past when you expect… whoops.

Anyway, here are a few recipes that I’ve saved this week, and who knows what’s ahead this weekend, which I dare say, is less planned (for now).

Red Lentil Soup

Adding this one to the soup collection as we head into soup season. This New York Times soup has been highly rated with more than 29k ratings. Five stars must mean they’ve got something right.

Date Caramel Babka

Break out the elbow grease and sticky fingers. This dough seem very worth it, and Carolina Gelen’s recipe looks just as good as the sweet date caramel probably tastes.

Chicken Fricassee With Mushrooms & Thyme

Fri-ca-what? It’s another French term for a sauce-based dish. A stew with meat and vegetables, if we’re breaking it down. Another Food 52 recipe that I’ve got my eyes on for when I’m in need of a warm, hearty meal.

I’m still recovering from the weekend, so that just about wraps up this week. Also, if there’s ever anything anyone out there reading this makes that was part of these weekly lists, I’d love to see it. Fully not expected because this is just a rather random roundup of what looks good when I’m scrolling, but always like to see what other people are cheffin’ up.

Keep it cool 🤘