Well its time to fire up the grill for the 4th of July, and I have the perfect menu for you! BarBQ Chicken and Ribs to die for! The sides are tried and true, I serve them year after year and the raves just keep coming and coming! So get ready to have the best cook-out on the block or even in town! So many times we get caught up in the same old way we do things, you know dry tasteless Chicken and Tough tired old Ribs….Well no more!
My mom "BIG ANN" made the best Bar BQ Chicken in the world…and today I will share it with you!
- You will need 1 whole chicken per 4 people, and I always add a few more Split Breast and Drumsticks when its a big group. Cut the chickens into quarters wash it well and pat it dry. Next put it in a glass bowl and cover with buttermilk for 6 hours or overnight. When your ready for the grill rinse and pat dry, season with Smoked Salt [use plenty], Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder. The coals should be what she called cooling coals[ meaning they should have been burning around 40 minuets before chicken is placed on the grill] and the rack in a medium placement, Gas Grills should be on a low medium and pre heated 15 minuets. Cook the chicken 10 min and turn once cook 10 min and turn again remove from grill and baste with *sauce. Put basted chicken on a flat pan that will go on the grill and cover the grill for another 15 min [ or in the oven on 325} remove and let it rest for atleast 15 min.
- * Sauce: Mince 1/2 small yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic and saute in 1/2 stick butter till onion is clear. To this add 1/8 cup Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tbs Worchestershire, 1 tbs Dijon mustard, 1 can Tomato Sauce, 1/4 cup Ketchup, 1/2 tsp Allspice, 1 tbs Coco Powder, 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, 1 tsp Ground Ginger, 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flake [more if ya like a bit more kick], 1/4cup Dark Molasses, and 1/3cup Dark Beer. Whisk over low heat till combined and slowly bring to a soft boil, turn off and cool. This recipe makes enough to lightly coat the chicken before you finish it off the last 20 min. and has plenty to set up as a side for the one’s who want more!
Perfect Baby Back Ribs "Big Ann" Style:
- You will need 2 Racks of Baby Back Ribs. Wash and dry racks. Cut each rack into 4 slab-pieces place in a large flat pan you can layer them in for the *Marinade. This is the most simple Marinade in the world. Ribs need to marinade for 12 hours. When ready for the grill Salt and Pepper, again mom used Smoked Salt. Place ribs on the cooler side of the Grill, they need to cook slow…….and covered so as to smoke in the grill [ wood chips are always an option, and suggested], Baste with the marinade every 8-10 min and try to keep them hydrated. during the last 10 min of grilling brush with **"Rib Sauce" remove to a platter, let rest 15 min.;and use a napkin….LOL!
- Marinade: 2 cups Apple Cider, 2 tbs Ground Ginger, 1 small can Frozen Apple Juice [do not add water], 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar, 4 minced coves of garlic, 1/2 minced small Yellow Onion, 2 tbs "Liquid Smoke". Marinade in fridg for 12 hours keep them covered in marinade. You may need to rotate.
- Rib Sauce: 1/2 cup Ketchup, 6 oz Honey, 1/4 cup Soy Sauce, 1- 8 oz jar Orange Marmalade, 2 tbs minced Garlic, 1/2 cup Apple Cider, 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon, 1/4 cup Brown Sugar, 1/4 cup Cider Vinegar, and 1tbs minced Ginger. Bring to a soft boil for 5 min. remove from heat let cool. Brush on ribs before serving. This recipe is for 2 racks of ribs.
The side dishes are just as good so try these:
- Israel Cous Cous Salad….take 1 cup Israel CousCous [you may use "Aborio Rice insted, but cook it done and rinse well], boil in plenty of water for 20 min., drain place in lg bowl and to it add 1/2 bunch chopped Green onions, 1 chopped Green Pepper, 1 chopped Red pepper, 1 small can sliced Black Olives, 1 can Artichoke Hearts Quartered, 1 can chopped Hearts of Palm, 6 oz Feta Cheese crumbled, 7 chopped Sun Dried Tomato, 1/2 bunch chopped Fresh Mint, 1 bunch chopped Fresh Basil, and 1/2 cup Italian Dressing. Chill for 2 hours or longer, and stir to serve….Fantastic!
- Baked Potato Casserole…..Bake 6 lg Russet Potatoes, let cool. Rough Dice in a bowl add 1/2 bunch chopped Green Onions, 1 16 oz Sour Cream, 1/2 lb shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 1 tsp each …Garlic powder, dried dill, salt, black pepper, 1-1/2 sticks Unsalted Butter softened, and 1 small can Green Chile Peppers. Mix together put in 9X13 bakenig dish . bake for 35 min on 350. Garnish with Bacon Bits if desired.
- Simple Baked Beans: You will need 2 lg cans Pork and beans. In a Dutch Oven put 1/2 pound chopped Maple Smoked Bacon, 1/2 small Yellow onion chopped, and 2 cloves chopped garlic. Saute till bacon is crisp. To the Bacon add 1cup Brown sugar, 1/2 cup Ketchup, 2 tbs Yellow Mustard, and the beans. Transfer to oven for 1 hour at 350.
- The Worlds Best Garlic Bread: this is so easy you will need 2 French Bread Baugetts sliced in half long ways. In bowl mix 3 sticks unsalted soft butter, 6 oz Blue Cheese, 3 tbs minced Garlic,1 tsp Onion Powder, and 1 bunch finely chopped Cilantro. Spread mixture on bread and Broil till toasted….."Big Ann" kept this a closely guarded secret for 50 years!
Now you have everything you need to WOW! on this 4th of July….by the way it is also my Birthday! I hope to hear back that you tried the foods I have listed here, and what you thought. We always had an "ICE COLD WATERMELON" for dessert. If you can find one from Hope, Arkansas they are the Best! Mom also always invited a bunch of famly and friends. She served Lemonade and Sweet Tea, I offer a suggestion of Blueberry Beer, Apricot or Pear Adult Ciders, and a "Viognier" for the adults Pepperwood Grove is affordable and a perfect white for these foods. Always if serving a Red Wine I suggest a "Pinotage" from South Africa. Try one they ROCK!
Have a Happy 4th Of July!!!!!
- Never Drink and Drive……Be Safe!
- Watch children and adults if around water!
- Keep the younger and younger at heart cool and hydrated!
- Fireworks are for adults and need supervision if children are involved, No Exceptions!
- Keep pets out of the heat and with plenty of cool water!
