Family Reunion

Sorry the posts have been few and far between the last few days.  My mom was here for several days and we had a family reunion yesterday.  Needless to say, it's been a little nuts around here, and my house shows it!  I promise things will get caught up between today and tomorrow.  So, when you see several new posts coming your way....no worries, thats just the slacker catching up!!  :)

I mentioned we had a family reunion yesterday, and let me tell you the South Georgia heat was horrendous!  Im pretty sure im still suffering from all the heat we endured yesterday (talk...about...a...HEAD...ACHE!).  However, it was super seeing family! 

As with any family reunion you have to cook your booty off before you go!  And, since we have become regular "BBQ-er's" (wait, is that a word...it is now!) we took a smoked Pork Butt and homemade Loaded Potato Salad (complete recipe at the bottom of blog). 

The first time we had this potato salad was at a local BBQ restaurant (I canNOT express to you just how much my family LOVES...yes, I said it, LOVES BBQ)!!! About the time we got back in the car to leave the joint, Christopher said you HAVE to figure that one out!  We were hooked.  So, I did, and it runs a close race with the restaurant's!! 

This particular potato salad has a lot of steps, and can be time consuming...but, it is TOTALLY worth it.  In addition to boiling potatoes (REMEMBER, make sure EVERYTHING you do with potatoes, you do with COLD WATER ONLY)...

You also have to chop green onions...

Finally, you have to make HOMEMADE BACON BITS (YUMM!!!)...

I know, this sounds like a lot to do just to make potato salad...but I promise, it is totally worth it.  You will also add some shredded cheddar cheese and mix all together with nothing else but RANCH DRESSING! 

Christopher also grilled 2 Pork Butts (which I cannot give the recipe out for...sorry, its a secret!)!  But I will give you the recipe for my homemade BBQ Sauce!!

HOMEMADE BBQ Sauce

-1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar (you can use either dark or light...whichever you prefer, I ALWAYS have light on hand)

-1 1/2 Cups Ketchup

-1/2 Cup Red Wine Vinegar

-1/2 Cup Water

-1 Tbl Spoon Worcestershire Sauce (WE ALWAYS USE French's...it's very THICK)

-2 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard

-2 teaspoons Paprika

-1 1/2 teaspoons salt

-1 teaspoon pepper (you can use more if you want it a little more spicy)

1.) Mix all ingredients in a bowl and wisk until sugar is disolved.

2.) Store in an airtight containter.

Loaded Potato Salad

-1/2 of a 5lb bag Red Potatoes (more if you are feeding an army!)

-1 bunch green onions chopped

-1 pound Bacon

-1 Bag shredded Cheddar Cheese

-Ranch Dressing, to taste

-Salt

-2 Tbl Spoons Oil (whatever you have on hand, I usually keep Olive Oil around)

1.) Wash, peel, and dice pototes into big chunks.

2.) Place pototes into pot with cold water and salt water.

3.) Bring potatoes to boil and cook JUST UNTIL FORK TENDER.

4.) Dice bacon into chunks.

5.) Place bacon chunks and oil into skillet and cook bacon until brown.

6.) Wash, and dice Green Onions.

7.) When Potatoes are fork tender drain and place in bowl.

8.) Once potatoes have cooled down slightly, place potatoes in fridge to cool COMPLETELY (THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, you do NOT want the pototes hot or your cheese will melt and as good as melted cheese is, it's NASTY in this recipe).

9.) Once pototes have cooled, add bacon bits, green onions, and cheese.

10.) Mix in Ranch Dressing (enough to combine all ingredients and to your taste).

11.) Cool and enjoy!

HAPPY 'MOMMYING" :)