Grillapalooza

I just finished off a bowl of nonsense.

A slice of my new favorite chocolate chip bundt cake topped with walnuts, chocolate syrup, and homemade vanilla flavored whipped cream.

What has happened to me?

Summer is supposed to be full of healthy, light meals.

Thank goodness summer is just beginning.  I still have plenty of time to rectify my weekend of eating.

Or at least spread the nonsense out over the next couple of months.

It all started a couple of days ago.  When I was luckily given the entire weekend off.

Starting a new job and being at the mercy of the trainers will do that to a person.

And I am not complaining.

It gave us PLENTY of time to get things ready for the wedding. 

Even though we some how still have SO much to do.

It is amazing how much time every thing takes.

Regardless, "Grill Master K" planned some pretty involved meals.

Starting off with smoking these baby back ribs...

I decided to go with a sweet and spicy recipe from Steamy Kitchen.

And let me just tell you that the mixture of cayenne, brown sugar, maple syrup, and chili powder was AH-MAZING.

Not to mention that it was super easy. 

The only thing that Kev did differently was to put the ribs in the smoker... instead of the oven.

Because that is what Grill Masters do.

The ribs smoked for four hours. 

Which gave Kev the opportunity to perform.

And to chillax after a long, hard day of yard work.

Yes, I just said chillax.  It makes me feel 20 years younger.  And about to go vote for the first time.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....  I made corn.

Skillet corn to be exact.  From Kevin and Amanda. 

It started with six ears of fresh-from-the-market corn. 

Cut off the cob

And then cooked in a skillet for 45 minutes.

It had the taste of creamed corn with a crunch.  And it would have been the perfect summer side dish if I hadn't poured an ocean worth of salt in to the dish.

My heavy handed salt shaking finally caught up with me.

But nothing that a glass or five of water couldn't fix.

As far as the ribs went.... they were perfection.  Absolute perfection.

                                          

We ended up eating just about every single rib. 

In fact, we have already discussed that we are going to have to make more next time.

Because we are now officially rib hoarders.

Especially if they are sweet and spicy.

And because it was a looonnngg weekend.... Kev opted to grill out again the next day.

Which was Memorial Day.

We had my parents out for Mexican food.

Steak and chicken fajitas.  Complete with all the fixins.

Pico de gallo, guacamole, salsa, and refried beans.... all homemade.

It has quickly become my favorite meal.

At least for this month.  My favorite meal changes pretty often.  But I'm sure you have realized that by now.

Unfortunately, my camera battery was dead.  And I did not get ANY pictures at all.

But it was a great day to spend with family.  And we ate and swam and ate some more.

Because there was a chocolate bundt cake to be devoured.

And I couldn't eat the whole thing by myself.

Well, I could.  But I shouldn't.

But if I had a nickel for every time I did something that I "shouldn't"......

I would have a lot of ingredients for cake.