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Sunday, July 05, 2009

4th Of July- Four-Hundred Posts, Food, Fun, And Forgotten Items!






Well, I made it to 400 posts! It took me about 2-1/2yrs of blogging, but I must say- It was fun, rewarding, and met a lot of neat people along the way! Thank-you all for stopping by over the years, reading and commenting...
Friday the 3rd, my wife didn't have to work, so the day was mostly spent in preparation of Independence Day- the 4th of July! The first two photos were an Asian-flavored skewered shrimp I broiled quickly and serve with a side of white rice...Really hit the spot while putzing around the kitchen making brines, mops, and sauces for tomorrow's food offerings..
The 4th of July around here was as busy(or busier!) as anticipated, with smoked BB-Q chicken and pork ribs, sauces and of course- fireworks! The 'Que was cooked for about 5 hrs total at, low, slow temps.... 4 whole chickens got brined/marinated for 12 hrs previous to their beer can up the butt (Chicken on a Throne recipe!)and smoking in a hickory/charcoal heat.. Sprayed with olive oil/water/red wine vinegar mix during cooking (for moisture) the tenderness and flavor achieved was incredible.. A BB-Q sauce touched up with lemon pepper, and orange juice made a tangy, light sauce ideal for chicken! The ribs were dry rubbed with spices, and slathered with mustard before resting overnight in the 'fridge.. They were tender, tasty- but a touch dry for my taste... the sauce was a Big Moe's base, with dark molasses, liquid smoke, sour mash bourbon, and white vinegar added.. Made for a K.C. style sweet/smokey/tangy flavor that was a hit!
The fireworks were incredible this year, with our group more than holding it's own against 3 or 4 others on the lake shooting off their nukes! We had some mishaps, which fortunately were not injurious to anyone- but caused some not needed excitement none the less... Younger guy didn't block a 16 shot cake right, which caused it to tip over and shoot sideways, until after three shots fell into the water.. Stay tuned, this story ain't over! He then threw the wet firework into the bonfire, which we have always done AFTER a firework was done. The thing dried out, and about a dozen more shots came flying out of the fire- where I was sitting! About a half-dozen of us were running like North Korea had finally shot one at us... No one hurt, but a good lesson was learned! That kid now knows I will kill him if he ever does it again!
On to the forgotten items.... 1. My camera. I had hoped to take photos of the fireworks for you, but couldn't..sorry! 2. A jacket. It got cold after dark(which is why I was so close to that damn fire!) 3. A flashlight. Shooting fireworks off the end of a dock goes better with light to see by...
A good day was had by all, and I hope yours was as fun as mine- only safer! Tell me about your holiday experience!

47 comments:

MarmiteToasty said...

Smiling and wondering where my invite was LOL I expect it got lost in the post :)

It all sounds wonderful, even the dodgy going ons with the fireworks.. soundsl like when we have fireworks here in November....

The food sounds fabulous and scrummie and is not making me hungry..... jebus I love for a decent meal LOL

Happy belated 4th of July dear (((Buff)))

x

Dr Zibbs said...

Oh yeah. Look at those chickens there.

Dana said...

Congratulations on hitting 400 posts Buff!

Hit 40 said...

Oh my heavens!!! I bet the kid got to hear some great cuss words strung together by all. No more beer for him!!!

buffalodick said...

Marmy- If I had a wish, it would be I could rustle you up a great meal, and have you sit back and enjoy it!
Doc- That beer can chicken is a little messy, but what results!
Dana- Thanks! Blogging has become a part of my life.. A very good way to read, write, listen, speak out, and still be able to learn stuff you didn't know...
Hit40- You must have been at the neighbor's house, because I think they could hear them too! I really wish the stupid ones had to carry a sign warning you....

Akelamalu said...

Congratulations on your 400th post Buff.

Sounds like 4th July was a blast (literally) for you! LOL

Angel said...

Buff, you always have THE best food for any kind of celebration and you make it sounds like it's all so easy!

buffalodick said...

Ake- I now have a tattoo that says "Made in China" on my left butt-cheek... no ink involved, it's actually more of a branding iron burn print... :)
Beth- It's more work than you think! Watching 20 or so people just wolfing it down with no conversation tells me it was good!

Kate said...

Look at those chickens! It's like they're going to start dancing or something.

buffalodick said...

Kate- You'd dance too, with a can of Pabst Blue ribbon shoved in your buns!

Anonymous said...

Glad no one was hurt!

Congrats on the big 400.

buffalodick said...

K- Very few things in your life will be remembered without a bit of risk....I'd rather be lucky than good! Thanks for the help getting to 400! You too, are a person that I enjoy when reading your posts!

Mona said...

Congratulations for the 400th post!

That was quite some work with the BBQ!! I am sure it must have been worth it all!

O Dear! I am so glad that none of you were hurt in that mishap!

Mona said...

Ok, so I wrote about my experience on my blog!

Donna-FFW said...

400 posts, fantastic milestone. I love the way you described how you make your beer butt chicken(what we call it) Never thought to spray the outside. Good stuff.

buffalodick said...

Mona- Thanks! I'll read your posting next!
Donna- Spraying the outside, is just a lazy(smart!)way to "mop" the BB-Q.. Some guys have built-in spray nozzles in their BB-Q smokers- they never have to lose heat by opening the pit!

snowelf said...

Hi UncleBuf!
I have not had any homemade BBQ in so long that I'm going to suggest it to my uncle for our next family get together!

And okay, you tell Crazy Mr. Fireworks Dude that I said you just got out of the hospital--I do not want you going back in so soon! :P And if it happens again, tell him "No Que for you!" hehe What excitement, that's for sure!

My holiday?... Ridiculously long story in my blog...I made the captions on the pics humorous so it's easier to get through. ;)

Be careful out there! :)

--snow

buffalodick said...

Snowniece- As I've said before my real niece introduces me as "Crazy Uncle Dick"... I'm sure in 20 years I'll be the old fart at the rest home that blows up the goldfish pond....

Marjie said...

We usually participate in a great lake shootoff, at the very location of this weekend's wedding, and they can be a hoot! It was cold here this weekend, too, especially when the sun went in. Well, there's always next year for the pyrotechnics.

Once, we had a tube turn sideways, shoot into the box still containing 6 (which had been safely stowed 20 feet away), and ignite the rest. There's nothing like fireworks on the ground for the North Korea scary experience!

buffalodick said...

Marjie- I think you know what I'm talkin' about!

Unknown said...

Oh my god, my mouth watered through that whole post! I sure wish I wasn't on a diet and that I lived close to you. LOL. Congrats on the 400 posts. By the way, do you mind if I link you on my blog?

Chef E said...

I do not know if I could stay out of that smoker...would have picked here and there!

My father used to build a fire when we would go to the lake outside city limits and something similar happened with a bottle rocket to him...this year we just kept quiet in the house and listened to them going off near us outside...you can always tell when the finale hits the skies...

buffalodick said...

Angela- Thanks! Miss old fashioned BB-Q while in France? I would! Link away, if you wish... Kiss a frog for me today and tell them thanks for that harbor chick- The Statue of Liberty!

buffalodick said...

ChefE- Not the chicken or pork ribs left this house a virgin... 12 shots at 3 ft. away was a bit much...

g-man said...

God I love the Fourth of July..
Religion doesn't get in the way of Great Food...
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!

tavolini said...

Happy Fourth to the Family Buffalo :)

I think those shrimp skewers look pretty darn mouth watering! I like the BBQ sauce you used for the chicken--lemon pepper and orange juice sound nice and summery.

buffalodick said...

G-man_ Classic 4th for us, BB-Q and Boomers! Let's start a grass roots movement to get everyone to shoot off fireworks on New Year's Eve too!
Tavolini- Asian flavors on shrimp or scallops are a favorite around here! Chicken sauce- light and bright! Pork sauce- tangy,sweet, and spicy! Beef sauce- beefy, not sweet, with heavier spice flavors..
That's my style!

rachaelgking said...

CONGRATS on 400! That's huge. And shrimp on the bar-bee is the perfect way to celebrate :-)

Odat said...

Hey!! Congrats on your 400th post my friend....and how come I wasn't invited on the 4th???? (I know, the cattle prod is still out...)
Peace

buffalodick said...

LiLu- Thanks! shrimp were broiled, but ribs and chicken were the real deal!
Odat- I would invite you, but I first have to get signs you are still will us... Hope you are well!

Hit 40 said...

In regards to your comment about the stupid ones wearing signs...

I always prewarn and apologize in advance for my youngest son. I tell them to call me if he is a jerk that I will take care of it. Adam is getting better with age.

Chris said...

That reminds me of our firework show last year in which one block fell over towards the dry banked steep sloped cul-de-sac and ignited it. The neighbors said they've never seen someone run carrying two five gallon buckets full of water like I did that night (I had pre-filled them "just in case").

Glad you had a great 4th and no one got hurt. I've got a spatched bird on the Egg right now and your's made me ready to eat now! Unfortunately, they've got about another 1 hr 45 min left.

buffalodick said...

Hit40- I guess we all take our turns holding "the sign"... I was buying frozen Sockeye salmon Monday, one side looked great, but the other side appeared to have some freezer burn, and all the packages looked the same! What I had thought was freezer burn was a photo on the package depicting a salmon filet! Thought my wife was going to fall down laughing at "Mr. Know-it-all"...
Chris- I'm debating if I want to clean up my smoker today, or tidy it and re-use it before a major cleaning! We usually have a hose ready for fireworks that don't behave!

Hit 40 said...

I liked your comment over at the blue yak today!! LOL

Mr. Condescending said...

My 4th sucked, I didn't even get to see any fireworks.

buffalodick said...

Hit40- At the risk of being labeled a white, male racist, I have decided to fight back- using examples that illustrate racists have no color, or creed that makes them immune to this charge!
Mr.C- Were you being punished for a transgression I am unaware of? Dammit! This is America! We get BB-Q and fireworks on the 4th- I think it's in the Bill of Rights... Better luck next year, my friend!

buffalodick said...

G-man- Can't post... "Mr. Know-it-all" is gone! What up, dude?

MarmiteToasty said...

Wondering how long prawns keep in the freezer, only I just found some fresh uncook prawns that I bought back in Feb and I so fancy them for me tea, but dont wanna get good poisoning, that would just be me luck LOL

x

tavolini said...

Hey, hey--before you rib on the box of rice and frozen veggies--we were at my friend's (a bachelor) house. There was NOTHING in the fridge--and no plates, no pans, etc. Just HUNDREDS of clean, washed take out containers ;)

buffalodick said...

Marmy- They should be fine! Freezer burn is what seems to do the shellfish in...If none is apparent- go for it!
Tavolini- You had me laughing out loud! My bachelor kid brings back zip lock plastic containers by the box full( from when we bring him dinner when he's at work!) As you get older, you will have fewer suprises like that!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Looks like you had a feast! The Asian inspired shrimp have me drooling! I need an invite to for the next 4th!

Congrats on your 400th post!

buffalodick said...

Katherine- You would be a most welcome guest, but I would probably put you to work cooking with me!

Heff said...

Congrats on 400. We did up some shrimp for the 4th too.

buffalodick said...

Heff- I think you folks did it all on the 4th! God Bless America, and the people who enjoy living here!

JihadGene said...

Chicken on a throne! And I thought you were talking about Obama. Anyway it looks like you had a wonder 4th!

buffalodick said...

Gene- I am getting tired of him giving a hand job to the Third World, when America needs some leadership.

MarmiteToasty said...

He gives 'hand jobs' how rude lol

x