Saturday, July 2, 2011

Fourth of July Eve Eve and a shed (Okay, it's a garage)

One the greatest joy in my life is grilling-out on a hot summers day, with beer in hand. The good Dr. McLeod and his "Beer in the Shed" post has given me the perfect excuse to do just that (not that I don't do it everyday, anyhow.) So I give unto you:

The "Alan McLeod Presents: Beer in the Shed Fest 2011," Day 1 Check list: 

Shed. Check (technically it's a garage, but you do with what ya' got.) 

It's shed-like, right?
84º F (29º C). Check 

Sunshine. Check. 

Weber grill. Check 

Kids in kiddie Pool. Check.

Little League coach's shirt. Check 

Kids running through sprinkler. Check. 

Little Tikes Cozy Coupé. Check. (This one is optional) 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Check, and then check again. 

Homemade Italian sausage patties*, char-grilled to perfection. Smothered in fresh grilled green peppers and tangy Vadalia onions. Topped with toasted Kaiser roll. Served with fresh corn-on-the-cob and chilled Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Check. (I may have written a menu or two in my time.) 

Repeat for effect—HOMEMADE ITALIAN SAUSAGE PATTIES. Check. 

Walk to the local ice cream shop. Check.

Squirt bottle fight. Check

Drinking my last Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, whilst listening to the booms and bangs of fireworks from an unknown locale. Check.

Fourth of July Eve Eve was fun, but today was just Country Joe and the Fish. Tomorrow is Hendrix. 

If it doesn't rain. 



*Homemade Italian Sausage Patties

1 pound cold, store bought ground pork or fresh ground pork shoulder
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp paprika
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp onion powder 
1-1/2 tsp ground sage 
1-1/2 tsp crushed rosemary
1-1/2 tsp crushed fennel
1/4 cup ice water 
salt, cracked and crushed red pepper to taste 

Mix all spices into ground pork. Add water. It's going to be mushy, but you need the water to keep the pork moist, during grilling. Form into patties and chill for at least a half hour before cooking. Grill like a burger. Top with grilled Os and Ps. Serve on a toasted bun.

4 comments:

  1. Sweet. I had my shed day on Friday but forgot to take a photo. I need to make up for this quick or that tie is yours.

    Alan

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  2. I love the smell of Rayon in the morning. Smells like, victory!

    It looks like day two might be a little on the moist side. We'll see how late afternoon pans out.

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  3. No sunshine. substitute the cozy coupe for an 86' GSX-R 750. swap the sausage patties for some steamers and a rack of ribs from the Chopper. supplement the sierra nevada for warsteiner. happy july 4th eve everyone!

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  4. Hey Grave,

    Tell Alan and you got a tie comin' your way!

    ReplyDelete