Summer BBQ

SSC Library’s Teen Cooking Club returned in July for the Summer BBQ.  When you think BBQ, warm weather, outdoor games, and good times with friends may come to mind.  We had most of that…minus the weather!  For a second year, our summer barbecue was destined for indoor fun.

Fire Success, not so much with weather

We struggled with the weather forecast, which has a fickle personality in general.  I got the fire stoked on the grill and the coals were just ready for our first sandwiches when the skies opened up and FORCED US INSIDE!  Some folks were given unexpected showers while playing bag-toss.

Note those WET BRICKS!

Grilled Cheese with(out!!) Bacon was the first and ONLY recipe we had a chance to actually grill.  To accommodate for quantity, an electric skillet was used indoors.  That appliance saved our BBQ!!!

 

Displaced BBQ’ers Seek Refuge from the Storm

Luckily we had refreshments and games to keep the fun going inside.  A patriotic punch using the principles of science took center stage and maintained a high energy of excitement.  The layers of this Patriotic Punch work because of the sugar density.  The highest sugar content drink is poured into the pitcher first, followed by a drink with less sugar.  The top layer has little to no sugar.  This variety used cherry juice, light Gatorade, and seltzer water.  This was a WINNER!

Layered Punch for the Win

Another winner at any barbecue is the S’more.  Since we lacked a real fire, some kids claimed we could use the microwave.  The fire-lover in me died a bit.  I can’t cook with a microwave, actually detest that device!  Our Union Hall has a wonderful 400 burner (ok, I’m exaggerating) gas stove top.  What do you do when your fire has been washed out?  Turn on the burners to roast those marshmallows!!!

Direct Supervision REQUIRED

Cooking sugar over an open flame as pictured is not ideal for most home settings, but providing a barbecue feel on a rainy afternoon proved this technique effective.

Deluxe S’mores

Using Keebler Deluxe Grahams, which are covered in chocolate made this snack a cinch.  After roasting the marshmallow, use two cookies to peel the goo off of your roasting stick.  Repeat as necessary until you’ve achieved sugar overload.

Wegmans O’s Cookie-wich

Wegmans O’s cookies give the same result with less of a chocolaty mess.  We pulled apart the cookie sandwich and applied the roasted marshmallow goo.  No one admitted which snack was their favorite, they just wanted S’more!

Musical-Must-Have
To finish off our festivities, we pulled out the old boom box and played Musical Chairs.  It’s refreshing to watch a mixture of ages play this timeless game.
This wraps another Teen Cooking Club.  Special thanks to Wegmans Food Markets for providing the food funding for this program.  Join us in August for Cake Boss, a cooking competition.  The summer reading theme is Build a Better World, so I ask who can Build a Better Cake?
See you in August.  Thanks for visiting.