Table Talk
Fourth of July
Some holidays have a way of becoming about the food. The Fourth is certainly one of those holidays. For years, we gathered with a bunch of friends in our backyard, where we would grill burgers, eat watermelon and eventually, pulled out the chairs or climbed on the roof, where we could watch the fireworks coming from Fiddler's Green, shot off directly overhead. After a few years, we began gathering at Mike and Lynn's, who would invite a bunch of friends over for the Fourth. Not the traditional fare for this crowd. Marinated portabello mushrooms, smoked chicken quesadillas, carne adobada was the norm. Fireworks were viewed from the deck, but more often, we'd climb in the car, hunting around for a show, which we never seemed to find. We've moved on from that as well. This year, Brad smoked some baby back ribs, I smoked a couple of tri-tips, and we grilled corn, and made chipotle potatoes. A trifle with blueberries, strawberries and custard topped off the menu. Fireworks were actually seen the next day in Glendale, which puts on the most incredible firework show you've ever seen. All in all, a great way to celebrate our country's birth--excellent friends, food, family & fireworks!
