Ho! Ho! Ho! Who forgot to check the weather forecast so grilled in the rain?

Yes! This was my idea. I thought it would be so much easier to grill for Christmas. OH yes. Forget the marathon in the kitchen. Toss some chicken and hot dogs on the grill and spend the day hanging with the fam instead of cooking, cleaning, and stressing.


Did I check the weather report before I tossed out this idea?

OH NO! Of course not. Ever the optimist, I anticipated one of those North Carolina 70degree winter days. We do have those in NC - honest.

It, of course, started pouring the rain last night and on through the entire Christmas day. This was with 40 degree temps and wind.

But, hey I'm a sport. I lugged the barbecue stuff out to the truck. Then, I got my boots and dry socks, since the yard flooded, and one trip to the truck soaked my tennis shoes and socks up past my ankles. I would tell you how gross that felt, but I am sure you can guess.

With help from the guys and with dry feet, I fired up the Big Red Char Broil infrared grill which worked like a charm.


The side burner on the Big Red grill has more power than most and worked out great for the grilled hash browns which we usually put on the grates (when not cooking for a bigger crowd).

These grilled hash browns are the boys' dad's specialty, and he got the recipe for a buddy in the Navy who called these Butter Tators. He, of course, used 3 or 4 sticks of butter, and we healthy it up just a little with only about one stick of butter (with two bags of hash browns here).

The boys go wild for the Grilled Hashed Browns and always request them. They are most yummy, I must say.



I did the grilled chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts and used Chef Hymie Grande Sauce. My new step dad is diabetic, and Chef Hymie Grande BBQ carries the national diabetic seal. That's a good reason to select that for a family cook out, but it's also a small batch BBQ sauce with natural ingredients and tastes great.

Another Rainy Day for the Barbecue Master and Family

I have some new barbecue sauces from Demon Pig that I can't wait to try out, but it's still raining here in the not-so-sunny South, and my nose is still running too. Bummer. Not a good way to celebrate hump day.

This seemed a better day for chicken pot pies (Marie Callender's are definately the best), but I can still dream of a beautiful outdoor grill room with counter space, wine racks and maybe even one of those cool outdoor fountains. Ah heaven.

In the meantime, I've been shopping, since I don't feel up to doing much else. And, online shopping is so easy. Gotta love it.

In addition to some new sauces coming (including Wild n Mild which the hunters who read my blog will love), I'm also waiting on Grill Floss (no kidding) and a Cuisinart silicone basting brush. So, be sure to check back soon, because I'll have some new flavors and new barbecue toys to talk about and some ideas for the holidays.

Cooking Out in Asheboro, NC with Foodie Friends

My son and I enjoyed a terrific cook out in Asheboro, NC last night with Greta and Joel and some of their neighbors. The plan was to watch a movie on the side of the water tank. No kidding. Of course, it rained. But that didn't put a damper on the party. Joel set up his projector in the house, so we had a movie anyway even if not on the water tank.


Chef Joel was hard at work on the meat. He sent around the grilled Texas Toast and sauced up the chicken and pork chops. He used a variety of different sauces including a mustard based barbecue sauce from our sister state, South Carolina.


Greta and Joel have two nice porches which was great. Most of the guests hung out here on the side porch with the food (of course). The grill was around on the back porch. Joel just got a big gas grill and is enjoying that. Gas is more convenient and easier when you have a crowd over.


Since we were shopping at the local IGA which is a small grocery, our appetizers were very traditional Southern. We brought sausage balls made with Frank Corriher sausage which is our favorite, Seven Layer Dip, and a veggie tray. The sausage balls were quite popular or else my son ate almost all of them - not sure on that.

Neal from Jugtown brought some really fabulous finger foods. He had spinach wraps that were much like those that I had in Greece (very yummy), barbecue shrimp (my son went wild for those), and crab appetizers.


When the meat came off the grill, yum! Joel had them just perfect. Very moist chicken and chops with loads of flavor.