August is not my favorite month, but is still summer so it has that going for it. What I don’t like about August is it is the last month of my favorite season, summer. However, since we’re at this point in the season, we should make the best of it with lots of BBQ’s, although Jennifer is in pain and not up for much company. I even have to cancel a much anticipated get-together for this weekend. I don’t feel well this morning myself. I think it’s just too much stress. I hope it gets better soon.

Cooking. Let’s see, I am still behind on my recipes. I still owe you a cheese burger slider recipe. Pfft. Its just a hamburger. We have made them before. Only I made them smaller because their was so much other stuff to eat and not enough people to eat it.

I started with 80% lean ground beef. I like this grind for this hamburger as it needs the extra fat to keep it juicy. I made little meatballs and pressed them flat. Then shaped them into squares. Why? They needed to be square because the buns, which were Kings Hawaiian Rolls, were square.

Next, I seasoned them with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and fresh ground pepper.

Surely by now you are are asking yourself, “how many damn photos of food can one man have?” The answer is simple: it’s a lot. I have been writing a cookbook now for twenty something years and I’m still not done. I can now sympathize with Tolstoy on writing a never ending book. At least he finished his. I don’t think I will be so lucky.

Now, it’s time to get those burgers on the grill.

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Yes, I added cheese and closed the lid so it got all nice and melty. Then I added pickle slices and ketchup. They are thicker then they look so they are still juicy with just a hint of pink. No one wanted rare a hamburger this day. Except maybe my mother in-law….

So, let’s see what’s next? Oh YES! Next time is Grilled Buffalo Wings.

Until then, be well, be happy, and be safe.

The Drunken Chef (Russ)

DOUGH

INGREDENTS

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 sticks of butter

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 and 3/4 chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream together the butter, sugars and vanilla. Then add the eggs. Next, add all the dry ingredients and mix in the chocolate chips.

I cut the cookies with a heart shape cookie cutter while warm and let the cookies cool. Once the cookies are cool, allow vanilla ice cream to soften slightly. Scoop ice cream onto one cookie, then top with another. Press gently together. Return ice cream sandwiches to freezer for one hour before serving.

INGREDIENTS:

2 full racks of Pork Spare Ribs

2 bottles Sweet Baby Ray Bar-B-Q sauce

1 ½ tablespoon Paprika

1 ½ tablespoon Salt

1 tablespoon Onion powder

1 tablespoon Garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:

Heat Barbecue on high for 15 minutes

Prepare the ribs by removing the silver skin on the rib side.  This is not easy, but there is a trick. I will try and make a video soon for you.

Season spare ribs on both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt (dry rub).

Cook ribs until brown on both sides BUT NOT DONE!      

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Place the under-cooked ribs in baking dish and then put in the oven uncovered.

Cook 2 hours. Making sure the heat stays low….you may even turn it down as low as 225 degrees. It just takes longer, but they are well worth the wait.

After two hours, check for doneness. The meat should separate from the bone fairly easily. Drain most of the fat from the dish, but not down the sink drain; it will clog it. Cover ribs with Bar-B-Que sauce in the same pan, mixing in some of the fat and coating the ribs well. Then, return to oven for 20 minutes or heat on barbeque for BEST results.

NOTES: This recipe is the result of years of practice, but in the end it produces a consistently good batch of ribs and can be done in a large enough batch for a party.

INGREDIENTS

1 Top Round London Broil

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Season the beef with garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper on both sides. Let meat “marinate” on the counter for 30 minutes or at least while the grill is heating. For best results, this can be done the night before, and you can wrap the meat in plastic then put it back into the refrigerator. Remove from refrigerator and let rest on the counter anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Now that your grill is HOT, cook the london broil starting on high. Then after cooking each side for five minutes, turn to medium low until it has reached an install temp of 140 degrees. This should take about another 5 minutes per side. Avoid using a fork to turn the meat over and always use tongs. I turn my steaks a total of three times to get a nice crisscross pattern if possible. Remove beef to a plate and let rest ten minutes before slicing. Avoid turning or pressing on your steaks or hamburgers as they cook because this will cause them to dry out and become tougher.

Once the beef has rested slice the london broil across the grain (see below).

Serve with steak sauce, blue cheese dressing, or just plain salt and pepper.