Party Time In Indy…Just Grillin’ and Chillin’

Happy Fathers Day to ALL the Dads out there! To those Dads who cook…and those who just show up to eat. Either way they deserve a party on their special day.

And speaking of parties…when we visit our son Nick and his family there is often a party on tap. I love to sit back and watch Nick as he prepares food for the gatherings they host. This time he chose ribs and chicken as the main event. And since other family members were bringing all the side dishes and the dessert I was banned from cooking that day! So I decided to take take off my apron and pick up my camera…and I took photos of all the prep work to share with all of you.

Nick started with chicken. LOTS of chicken! His girls love it…and it’s an inexpensive way to feed a crowd.

Early in the day Nick invented his own dry rub and liberally coated all that chicken. He also slathered it on the ribs he was also serving. Both the ribs and the chicken were then returned to the refrigerator for several hours to allow the rub to penetrate and tenderize the meat.

 

 

The ribs were then wrapped in foil and placed on baking sheets in a 300 degree oven for several hours…

 

 

And the chicken was placed on the grill to partially cook it.  (It was later finished in the oven…placed on racks to allow all sides to remain crispy.)

 

 

Nearing party time, the ribs were finished on the grill with the foil removed.

 

The ribs were brushed with a liquid concoction Nick created on the fly.  He used the leftover dry rub, the drippings from the foil wrapped ribs, a generous amount of cumin, some red wine vinegar, some brown and some white sugar…and I have no clue what else!  (Nick uses the “dump and taste” method of cooking just like I do…and I LOVE watching him be creative in the kitchen.)

And daughter “Lolo” was quick to offer to baste those ribs…so another generation of cooks in the making. (Be still my heart!)

 

Those ribs were looking Finger Lickin’ Good…And Fallin’ Off The Bone Tender…

 

 

And about that chicken?

 

 

The chicken pieces were finished on racks over tin foil on cookie sheets in a 350 degree oven until all juices ran clear…

 

And what foods did guest bring to share? Check out what was left of this pasta salad.

 

 

The guest mixed the pasta with Ranch dressing and hot sauce…and added veggies including artichokes, I think.  Really yummy!  Sort of a Buffalo Pasta Salad…without chicken!

 

Homemade shortcakes…and strawberries from Grandma and Grandpa B’s own patch!  Delicious!

 

Fresh basil mixed into fresh fruit…a flavorful addition. A real party in our mouths!

Like they used to say in small town newspapers…
“A good time was had by all!”

And a DELICIOUS time as well…thanks to all those fine cooks. And I had fun with my camera too!