I recently re-subscribed to Gourmet, just in time to find an incredible barbecue menu in the July issue. I love interesting takes on traditional dishes–something familiar, yet exciting. The menu, which you can find in its entirety here, started with mint juleps. I decided to try this plum and thyme iced tea with bourbon, which I think paired nicely with the eggplant and sun-dried tomato spread.
The lemony potato salad was especially good. I liked the cold corn salad, but Ava passed it back, politely asking that I return it to her once it had been “cooked.” The beans were delicious–the stone ground mustard in the vinaigrette was a creative and pretty addition.
The ribs, though, were by far the best part of the menu. I started with a dry rub and let the ribs marinate for 24 hours. I baked them for just under three hours, then slathered them with a tar-like glaze made from the pan drippings and balsamic vinegar. Bryan finished them on the grill. I hadn’t made ribs before, and I was surprised at how easy they were.
I made a caramel honey peach pie and sour cream ice cream for dessert, but it was a hard sell after the huge dinner.
The entire menu could be made a day in advance. I served it for a small group on a Thursday night, and all I had to do that evening was grill the ribs and stir in the fresh herbs to sides. With that in mind, I think this will definitely be worth doing again. Check it out!
Smith Family Weblog 
Posted by Karyl on July 22, 2009 at 8:11 pm
What an incredible meal – who were the lucky guests??? I wish I felt like cooking like that – I used to – don’t know what happened!
Posted by smithfamilyweblog on July 23, 2009 at 9:19 am
Bryan’s coworkers joined us–including Dave and Tom.
It was a really easy menu, Karyl. I think part of what makes me want to do it is the amazing photography in the magazine–and they always show people coming together to eat, too–that’s kind of inspiring.
I will say, though, that I was talking to a coworker the other day who said that she likes cooking, but hates that fact that hours worth of work completely disappears in mere minutes. Not like, oh…say, quilting. 😉
Posted by Laura on July 23, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Wowza! That all looks delectable!
Posted by Plum-Blackberry Streusel Pie « Smith Family Weblog on July 21, 2010 at 10:28 am
[…] 10:28 am by Rebecca We invited friends over for dinner on Sunday night, and I dusted off the set of American Idyll recipes from last summer. The last time I made this menu, I decided on the Honey Caramel Peach Pie […]