Like many parents there are several Friday afternoon high school freshman football games in my near future. I’m looking forward to these and, as often as I can, plan to help my son’s team celebrate victory with some tailgate meals immediately following the game. But for right now I’m also doing a little pre-season tailgating at the beach.

Tailgating – it isn’t just for football anymore! (more…)

ahhhhhhh.......

It’s already August! Wow – time does surely go by faster these days. In a few weeks it will be the Labor Day Weekend – traditionally the “end of summer” for many folks. S’pecially those with kidlets still in school.

What are your plans? Take our poll and share!

Not enough choices? Leave a comment and tell us your plans!

Thanks!

Welcome to the cook-out!

Photo credit: dornob.com

Our friend, Barry Levenson, Curator and CMO (Chief Mustard Officer) of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin will preside and incite activities at the annual National Mustard Day celebration on August 7.So put it on your calendars now – stock up on mustard and brats (I recommend Johnsonville brand, by the way!) early, in case of shortages.

Festivities will begin at 10:00 a.m. Central Time Zone for those wishing to synchronize celebrations in their neighborhood.  As per the tradition, the opening ceremony includes singing of the POUPON U Fight Song with music by the POUPON U Accordion Band.

POUPON U Fight Song
Wisconsin Version

On our hot dogs, on our bratwurst,
Mustard is so cool.

Never mayo, never ketchup
They’re against the rules.

Gleaming gold and mellow yellow,
Smooth, rough, sweet and hot,

Fight, POUPON U, we’ll fight
and eat some lunch.

For those aficionados of royalty, The Duchess of Mustard will be there, but no word on the Colonel just yet.  We’re told that Culver’s has come up with a new made-from-scratch fresh frozen mustard custard with chocolate pretzel crunch available exclusively at National Mustard Day.

Oh by the way, for the non-singers in your group – here’s a cheer to use whilst holding the various mustardly events of strength and culinary challenges:

Who needs Harvard, who needs Yale?
At POUPON U, you’ll never fail!
Stanford, Princeton? Big mistake!
POUPON U’s a piece of cake.

Thanks and…

Welcome to the cook-out!

Let’s celebrate freedom of choice!

Select the singer/performer you most enjoy presenting the The Star Spangled Banner.

The Cactus Cuties

(more…)

Today is Canada Day, the celebration of the anniversary of the Constitution Act from 1867, which united two British colonies and a province of the British Empire into the single country of Canada.

For the Rest of the World, What is Canada Day?

You may have heard of Canada day if you are from the U.S. or even any other part of the world, but you have more than likely been left wondering as to what exactly Canada Day is.

Well, Canada Day takes place in Canada on July 1st every year and it is a national holiday in Canada. The idea of the day is to mark the anniversary of when the British North America Act was signed and to celebrate this occasion. In this modern age, you may know this act more as the Constitution Act of 1867.

The act, which was signed in 1867, united two British Colonies and a province of the British Empire into one single country which was named Canada. Canada Day is a national holiday in Canada in order to help people remember and celebrate this day that took place over 140 years ago.

This year’s Canada Day, Canada Day 2010, is the 143rd anniversary of when this act was signed. Canada day usually consists of many different outdoor celebrations to mark the event in Canada such as many fireworks and even free musical concerts.

This information is a re-post from APEX News Network and was written by Josh Hardwick.

A thoughtful gift for the host or hostess, especially for those who enjoy cooking, is a small pot planted with some most commonly used herbs: Rosemary, Thyme and Sage. Add some parsley and you gotcha-self a song title!

If you’re invited to a backyard cookout this weekend – I know you’ll bring along something to share and most likely, if you were brought up all proper, you’ll bring a host/hostess gift. Instead of the usual suspects like a 6 pack of beer, a bottle of wine or such — how’s about something for the cook?

Hit the garden center or even the live plant rack outside most supermarkets and pick up 3-4 different small pots of herbs.  The most common herbs used to enhance flavor of a grilled or roasted meal are rosemary, thyme and sage.  Your thoughtfulness will delight the cook and possibly ensure a return invitation to enjoy another meal!

Happy Grilling!

Freedom isn't free. Honor those who paid for it.

This weekend has the day we Americans observe Memorial Day. I try not to use the word “celebrate” when writing about this day of remembrance to honor those who have served our country – you, me and the world – by dedicating themselves in an ultimate sacrifice. I am grateful to be living in a free country because of these men and women. Their honor, duty and dedication allow me the freedoms to enjoy this weekend, and every other day of my life, with friends and family doing something as basic as grilling food and  sharing it in peace and safety.

Thank you.

We spell it "barbeque"

If you need an excuse this month to invite folks over to enjoy a meal you prepared on the grill or smoker – pick a holiday, any holiday. I’ve highlighted a couple special dates that we’ll be celebrating at my place – ya shure you betcha!

Officially Recognized Reasons to Party in the Backyard in May:

Free Comic Book Day – May 1
National Home Brew Day – May 1
Stepmother’s Day – May 1
National Play Your Ukulele Day – May 2
Weird Laughter Day – May 2
Lumpy Rug Day – May 3
Respect for Chickens Day – May 4
Star Wars Day – May 4
Cinco de Mayo – May 5
Great American Grump Out Day – May 5
No Diet Day – May 6
No Pants Day – May 7
No Socks Day – May 8
Stay Up All Night Day – May 8
Mother’s Day – May 9
Tear The Tags Off Mattress Day – May 9
Windmill Day – May 10
Eat What You Want – May 11
National Nutty Fudge Day – May 12
Frog Jumping Day – May 13
National Chicken Dance Day – May 14
Armed Forces Day – May 15 (USA)
Straw Hat Day – May 15
Nylon Stocking Day – May 15
National Sea Monkey Day – May 16
Norwegian Constitution Day “Syttende Mai” – May 17
Pack Rat Day – May 17
No Dirty Dishes Day – May 18
Weights And Measures Day – May 20
National Wig Out Day – May 22
Neighbor Day – May 23
Cookie Monsters Birthday – May 24
National Tap Dance Day – May 25
Cellophane Tape Day – May 27
Hug Your Cat Day – May 30
Paranormal Day – May 30
Memorial Day – May 30 (USA Traditional)
World No Tobacco Day – May 31
Memorial Day – May 31 (USA Observed)
Victoria Day – May 31 Celebrated May 24th this year see below* (Canada)

Source: University of Phoenix web site.

I get to sample a lot of different food in this “job.” (And my waistline is really showing it!) This time of year there are many open houses to which I’m invited and the hosts often ask me to bring something to ’share.’

Here are four of my favorite appetizers to prepare on the grill and that guests seem to just love. Hey maybe that’s why I get invited to ’share’ at so many parties! [NOTE: Please observe that 'bacon' is well represented in this group.]

Happy New Year Grilling!

_____________________________________________

Just click on the recipe title to go to the complete recipe that is printable too!

_____________________________________________

Created by Ka Honu

Shroom Bombs

“If you like garlic, mushrooms, and bacon (and who doesn’t?) it is Da Bomb”

~ Ka Honu

_____________________________________________

Created by Larry Gaian

Larry Gaian’s “Original” Moink Balls

“The key to this appetizer is the simplicity.  Some people want to make fancy meatballs, but it isn’t necessary.”

~ Larry

_____________________________________________

Created by CB

CB’s Bite Size Burgers

“Mouth-watering tasty bites of DEE-LISH-US!”

~ CB

_____________________________________________

Created by Mike Hedrick

Pirate Mike’s Peg Leg Chicken Drums

“These take a few extra minutes of prepping on the front end – but they are Oh-so-good you’ll want to slap yourself!”

~ Mike

_____________________________________________

As I write this post in my neck o’the woods it’s the shortest day of the year. We like to celebrate this somewhat overlooked event within my circle of friends – usually with a shared meal and plenty of laughter – because we know once this short day  engine has arrived at the station the other end of the train is parked at the longest day of the year! When that day arrives in June and daylight savings time is activated, the sun rises very early and sets fairly late – around 10 o’clock at night. (For my friends who live in Alaska and Canada I realize neither of these is any big deal!) If you live in lower latitudes you may not have first hand knowledge of why these events are so important.

December, the last month of the commonly used western calendar, is a holiday time of year.  I find it’s great fun to learn about different folks around the world who mark this same time of year with their own cultural events  – some of which that are vastly different from those I was raised with.  Seems to me the one thing that all of these appear to have in common is sharing food with friends and family. And I can’t argue with that one bit!

If you need some ideas for holiday meals – regardless of which holiday(s) you celebrate – just click on the Search Recipes tab at the top of this page. Here are a few favorites from past holiday posts:

1. Christmas Goose
2. Roasted rack of pork w/rosemary
3. Grilled boneless leg of lamb
4. Lemon & Herb stuffed roasted chicken
5. Cook a 12lb turkey on your grill in 45 minutes
6. Seared duck breast with sweet potato fries
7. Wild caught Alaska sockeye salmon

Whatever and however you celebrate and share this season with loved ones – to you and yours – thanks for inviting me onto your computer screens each week, sharing your recipes, tips and tricks with others on the Users Forums and for providing me with some of the finest memories of my life.

As my Hawaiian friends say in their gentle way – Mahalo and Aloha.

Happy Grilling & Happy Holidays!