Nothing Says Summer like BBQ

At the first sign of heat outside, there’s something ritualistic about breaking out that grill set that you didn’t look at all winter. Summertime screams barbecue in the most delicious way. Largely because of the combination of such enchanting flavors. The variety of sauces alone are bar none! Ribs, chicken, brisket, mac & cheese, baked beans, potato salad, hot dogs (hot links if you’re feeling spicy), watermelon, grilled corn, asparagus. One’s mouth starts to water just listing them. These and countless other items are all flavors that come to mind when you think about barbecue and summertime.

Depending on where you live from mid-March to late May as soon as it “feels like summer” outside there are barbecue whispers fluttering in the air. There are two things that happen when summertime hits (unfortunately, for some earlier than others), you get in front of some water and you barbecue. One of the few meals that can largely be prepared and consumed outside. Moreover, when else is it more appropriate to eat outside than a nice hot summer day in the middle of June or July.

All of these foods individually carry their own merit. They can be paired with other things but when combined they become something completely different. So much so sometimes they can lose their luster when dined on separately. That is the beautiful thing about barbecue in the summer. It evokes a feeling. It's all-encompassing of not only food but feelings and memories. I think it’s safe to say a good majority of people growing up in a place where barbecue is arguably the national food have childhood memories of skewing up the barby with friends and family.

Fourth of July *cough cough*

It’s nationally agreed upon that during this time of the year WE BARBECUE! Year after year techniques and tricks of the trade are passed down from one generation to the next. Hardly is there so much pressure and so much admiration heaped onto the same individual on the same day. Their methods ogled at one dish at a time, silently and sometimes in the most trying of instances, outwardly judged. Like most things barbecuing is an art form, a skill only learned by watching and doing.

Grillmaster!

A label seldom given but can be felt by each individual as they witness everyone around them devour what they surely put time and attention toward. A successfully launched and executed barbecue is a success shared by everyone who participated. The icing on the cake lies in the fact that a successful summertime barbecue consists of whatever you want to make it. Yes there are universal foods but the flavors are what make each and every barbecue their own. From the side dishes to the desserts. It sounds so simple but you literally make your own barbecue every time you fire up that grill. The flavors, the combination of dishes, the people around you, all of these make the barbecue its own and like the food those summer nights seem like they'll never end. Not to mention the technological advances that have been made when it comes to preparing meat.

Just imagine. You know that feeling. That great summertime feeling. Being out in the sun all day, opening up the doors and windows trying to let the outside breeze cascade throughout your home attempting to subside the heat. The smell of the food smoking on the grill filling the air more and more as it inches closer to being done. The taste of that first hot, savory and just the right amount of crispy bite as you close your eyes to bask in that moment. Flavors dancing all around your mouth, you've even managed to get some on your chin, you open them back up to the heavenly combination of foods you’ve arranged for yourself. Proceeding not to speak or look up from that plate for the next 10 to 20 minutes.

That’s summertime.