Southern Backyard BBQ- Carolina Rubbed Pork

Southern Backyard BBQ- Carolina Rubbed Pork

I'm not gonna lie.

I hate having to work for a living.

When the weekend comes (and goes) to our house, it's time to relax and kick it for a minute...and Mr. Wilson and I love seeing our friends and surrounding ourselves with the sound of their laughter, great food, drink, and good times.

All of this takes some cooking, and a little planning, on our part.

This summer, it's all about the Southern Backyard BBQ party, and entertaining at home. With some redecorating projects at the top of our list, we are incorporating different styles and vibes into our living area...we'll be sharing tips and ideas with our friends, and keeping everyone up to date on what's happening in the Wilson household.

It seems like we just have more fun, and accomodate more people, in our own backyard...and what better way to celebrate the space that we love than to fill it with the people we love?

And fill them with good food...

Our home is a reflection of the energy we create together, as a couple. We try to keep it upbeat, and original. The foods we will be serving for our "Summer Southern Backyard Dinners" series this season will be centered around home cooking and backyard grilling, with a southern flair. I can't wait to share some of the wonderful recipes I've been trying out with you...and to hear whether you prepared some of them for your friends and family too!

Listening to: Fabulous Thunderbirds

Reading: (Again) The Mists of Avalon

Wishlist item of the week: Weber Bad Daddy Grill

Deal of the week: Tiki torches- KROGER- 1.00 apiece...Thank you! I'll take 10, please.

Project this week: PAINTING my kitchen, Witches... (Look for the before/after pics coming soon)

Bain sult as! (Enjoy!)

Crock Pot Baked Beans

• 1 lb. of Navy beans
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 onion
• 8 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 lb. raw bacon, cut in small pieces
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 2 Tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1 1/2 lb. ground beef, browned
• Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours the night before serving. Turn to low and cook overnight. They will be ready around lunchtime.
• *NOTE* Use this recipe as a base. I added a little more of the brown sugar and dry mustard.
• These baked beans are well worth the extra cooking time...Promise.
• Carolina Rub for Pork Chops
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1
• teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black powder
• 4 4 ounce center-cut pork loin chops
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• Prepare grill.
• Combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl. Rub pork with spice mixture and let stand 10 minutes.
• Place pork on grill for 4 minutes. Turn pork and grill for another 2 minutes. Brush each pork chop for sauce, and grill for 2 more minutes, or until done.
• Let the chops stand for 10 minutes before grilling to allow the meat to absorb the flavors of the rub.
• Country Apple Slaw
• 2 Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced and chopped
• 4 cups shredded green cabbage
• 4 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 3/4 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• almonds
• Combine apples and next 4 ingredients...whisk vinegar and next 4 ingredients in a bowl. Toss vinaigrette with apple mixture; cover and chill 4 hours.
• Sprinkle with almonds and serve.
• Key Lime Poke Cake
• 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist white cake mix
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• Key Lime Filling
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lime peel
• yellow & green food coloring
• Frosting
• 1 container Betty Crocker Whipped vanilla frosting (12 ounces)
• 2 teaspoons grated lime peel
• Strawberries and lime slices for garnish

Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray bottom only of a 13 x 9 with baking spray with flour.

In a large bowl, beat cake ingredients on low for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into pan.

Bake 25-30 minutes, cool 5 minutes. With handle of wooden spoon, poke holes almost to bottom of cake every 1/2 inch, wiping spoon handle occasionally.

Stir together filling ingredients mixture will thicken). Pour over cake and spread evenly over surface, working back and forth to fill holes. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Spread frosting over cake, sprinkle with lime peel. Garnish with strawberries and lime slices.

Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Tracy's Bloody Marys

Ice

Tomato juice

Clamato juice

Vodka

horseradish

cocktail sauce

tabasco sauce

worchestershire sauce

Celery and sliced lime for garnish

One shot of vodka, rough equal parts tomato juice and clamato juice.

One teaspoon (to taste) of horsereadish

One teaspoon cocktail sauce

dash tabasco

One teaspoon worchestershire sauce

Mix well, pouring from glass to glass, or shake.

Do not put in blender.

Garnish rim with lime slice and dip rim in a sea salt/Old Bay/ Creole seasoning mix.

Tracy Wilson on Facebook

J.C. Wilson on Facebook (My fun loving, keepin' it real, herb rack makin' man, yes sir!)