A Spring BBQ - Good Topic for my 50th post!!

Since it was finally supposed to be spring-like outside on Sunday the bf and I decided to have our friends over for a little bbq. Of course this required me to pick out the perfect outfit, clean my house and pick up some spring flowers at the supermarket. I took pictures of the chips and dip buffet, my outfit and the flowers; however, I forgot to take pictures of the star of the show -- the food! Oh well, I still had a house full of great friends and plenty of pictures to share with all of you! The pictures follow my descriptions!

The outfit:

Since this was a casual get together I decided to keep my outfit casual as well. The jeans are True Religion (that I found at the thrift store for $14). The shirt is J.Crew that I was required to get for sorority recruitment a few years ago that has become a wardrobe staple. The shoes are my absolute favorite -- they are my monogrammed Jack Rogers that are perfectly broken in! I also love the bracelets which my mom picked up for me at an antique auction, apparently they're Italian but that's all I know about them.

Again Gus had to get in on the fun!

The Flowers: part 1

I usually keep a small vase of flowers on my mantle, because it is white and my walls are white (the house is a rental) I feel like the flowers add a nice splash of colors. My supermarket had a beautiful selection of tulips when I was there so I decided to go with red, mostly because my living room is mostly green, black and white and I love splashes of red with the green!

The Flowers: part 2

I kept the red theme for the flowers on my dining room table. Again, since the vase is green and black I love the way the red pops! Besides the tulips, I also thought the carnations at my supermarket were the most beautiful color of red and while some people may think carniations are tacky, I think they are beautiful if arranged in the right way -- especially if all you see is the flower and very little of the stem when arranged.

We started with a chips and dip buffet:

Because we were making baby back ribs and flank steak the bf and I decided to ask our friends to bring the side dishes. We did; however, provide our guests with a chips and dip buffet while they waited for the main dish to be completed! I have to admit that the RoTel dip was the only dip I made -- the guacamole and hummus were made by the lovely folks somewhere else. The RoTel was super easy -- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies + 1 block Velveeta cheese chopped. Add the tomatoes to the diced cheese and microwave in 1 to 2 minute intervals until the cheese is melted.

And now onto the recipes!!

Baby Back Ribs:

1 large package of pork baby back ribs (I recommend Costco for this)

1 tablespoon of each: salt, pepper, Emeril's Essence, Steak Seasoning, granulated garlic

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

2 sprigs of rosemary

1 beer (we used Shiner Bock)

BBQ sauce (any brand you like)

First of all, I have to thank the bf for this recipe! Line a sheet pan with sides (I use a jelly roll pan) with foil. Mix all of the dry spices (except for the rosemary) in a small bowl. Place the ribs on the pan bone side up. Sprinkle with the spice mixture. Turn the ribs over and season the meaty side with the remaining spice mixture (season this side more b/c this is where the meat is). Pour the beer (you'll need 1/2 to 3/4 of the beer) into the pan until the ribs are just sitting in the mixture (don't cover the ribs with the beer - that would make a mess). Place the rosemary on top of the ribs. Cover with foil and bake for 2 hours and 30 minutes at 170. Remove the ribs from the oven and place on a heated outdoor grill. Brush with bbq sauce. After 5 to 10 minutes turn and brush other side with bbq sauce. Allow to cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until done.

Grilled Flank Steak (we made 2)

1 piece of flank steak (get a pretty large one)

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (or a little less)

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon of each: steak seasoning, granulated garlic, pepper

2 teaspoons of each: lemon pepper seasoning, salt, dried Italian Seasoning

Mix dried ingredients in a small bowl. Add the vinegar and olive oil. Whisk well. Add flank steak to a Ziploc bag. Add the olive oil mixture. Coat the steak well and allow to marinade while the ribs bake. Once the ribs have finished place the flank steak on the grill. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium to medium rare. Longer if you like a more well done piece of meat. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice against the grain of the meat and serve.

Enjoy!