The term “barbecue” is a topic of much debate around these parts — in Oklahoma, having a barbecue is much different from eating barbecue. Serving slow, smoked meat is the only acceptable meaning of “barbecue” here, grilling hot dogs and burgers is not the same thing.
Image via thepioneerwoman
I know all of this because I’m, without a doubt, a “barbecue wife.” My husband has a smoker in the back yard, and he’s not afraid to use it. I’m just glad he hasn’t purchased a giant smoker that you hitch up to a truck…yet. I shudder at the thought of where we’d put that thing.
Nevertheless, we enjoy having friends over to watch football and eat some delicious ribs — I have to brag now, he really knows what he’s doing. And we had so much fun this weekend at one of our favorite events, The Art of Barbecue festival, which benefits the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.
These were the ribs at the check-in table, if that tells you how much meat there was!
Competition barbecue teams from all over the country head to Tulsa to smoke meat all night, so we can enjoy their efforts. This year it was held in downtown Tulsa, and a huge crowd showed up to sample.
The crowd was great this year, one long line of barbecue tents.
That said, it got me to thinking: I need to step up my presentation this year. I’m not one for an elaborate barbecue party — no need for handmade labels here. The food gets gobbled up pretty quickly, and I’m not delusional. I know that when the game is on and meat is served, presentation means very little to boys. Still, I found some more attractive ways to serve side dishes. I enjoy making baked beans and serving all the necessary sides.
Just because meat is not pretty, doesn’t mean the spread can’t have some attractive touches.
Have a great fall barbecue!
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Kim A
Kim is a public relations pro by day, homebody by night. Kim worked as a newspaper features writer for more than a decade and she has written hundreds of stories on others' homes. But she is still discovering her own style. Kim and her husband are renovating their late-1950s home, making it their own. For Kim, staying home is a destination. She frequently entertains friends and family, so keeping it simple and comfortable is important (with the exception of her closets – her shopping and bargain-hunting habits take up some serious space). Kim’s perfect place is snuggled up in her PJs eating a homemade meal in front of the TV with her husband.
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