'tis the Season

Hanging out by the grill.

I love the summer. The heat, the weather, the long days, sitting outside and hanging out by the grill or smoker. Cooking up some tasty treats and drinking a cold beverage. It makes grilling and smoking so easy.

But I also love the Holiday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas. In my mind, they are like a big, warm, fuzzy blanket that I can wrap up in and stay warm. I love the food, the traditions, the music, the lights, the fun and getting together with family.

Pigs with wings? (Bacon Wrapped Wings)

I was trying to figure out what to make for supper and looked in the freezer to see what I had. I had some chicken breast, wings and bacon. So I figured I would grill some chicken and wings. As I was thinking about how to season the chicken I thought, "Bacon wrapped chicken wings would be good." Here's how I made the wings.

Ingredients 
Chicken wings - I made 12
Bacon - 12 pieces to wrap the wings
Rub - I recommend something that has a bit of sweet to it.
BBQ sauce - I use a homemade one similar to Sweet Baby Rays

When ever I grill I start my coals before I start to prep the food. Coals take longer to to heat up then gas so you need to plan ahead. You can cook these on either gas or coals.

Lighting the charcoal.

The Joy of BBQ

I'm looking forward to this weekend. Saturday I plan to get up around seven, start a fire in the cooker and cook some pork butts and chicken. Some people say, "That's a lot of work for some food." It may be, but I find it enjoyable and relaxing.

My oldest brother is in-town visiting so I promised him and his family some real BBQ. It is a labor of love. Love for my family and love for the experience of BBQing.

There is something about a cooker, fire  and raw meat that just feels so good. BBQ is about the process and the finished product. Maybe it appeals to that primitive man in me. The caveman you might say. Using raw heat to turn a slab of meat into a work of culinary art. Maybe there is some what of a religious experience in it. After all God said that the sacrifices were "a pleasing aroma." (Exodus 29:41). Yeah I know pork is not a kosher meat and never used in sacrifices but when I smell the cooker going that's one of the things it makes me think of.

After the meat is cooked and shared it is nice to know my family and friends are enjoying it. The sounds of good conversation around the table or no sound at all as they eat. Just hanging out with them after a long hot day near the cooker. That is what makes BBQ so great for me.

BBQ is always better when shared with friends and family.