Well, it finally happened. I have had quite a bit of success with the Sun Valley Family Barbecue for more than two years. This last month only 5 people showed up. None of the regular participants arrived and I know most were at home. I hope it was just too darn hot to go outside, because my ego cannot handle any alternative.

Some time ago I had a discussion with a guest cook. He felt that a good cook would cook all the available food as quickly as possible and join his guests. I felt that a good host would cook food only as demanded, even if the pit was cold and they arrived late. You may find this hard to believe, but I won. :)

When I setup the barbecue at 2pm, I smoked baked potatoes and a rice dish. I used apple wood chips which I could not taste in the taste in the potatoes any better than last month’s hickory smoke, but which was definitely in the rice.

So, I didn’t throw any food away and, because the grill was mostly closed all day, I was able to prepare two bacon cheeseburgers late in the day without having to fire up the grill again. For the second time, I cooked bacon on the grill. I used a cast iron skillet to fry it in its own grease and then placed it on the grilling rack to get crispy. I often drool over a barbecue catalog which has a skillet just for grilling. Maybe I can get it next summer. Right now I have to tempt the Fates by not dropping the bacon through the grill.

I hope to you at the August barbecue, but if you cannot make it, don’t feel bad for me. I get to eat all the food that wasn’t cooked and I really enjoy my own company. If you would like to attend next month’s Family barbecue it will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2006.