Summer Fare

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! We just returned from a trip home to Michigan to visit with my family. It was a long overdue trip and we had a great time seeing everyone, going to the beach, doing a bit of shopping, going to a movie, and, by far the best, enjoying a summer barbecue!

On Sunday, most of my family came over to my Mom's and we had a wonderful barbecued dinner. We are a very traditional family and while our choice of meat may vary, we always include our favorite side-dishes. Mom's Five Bean Salad, fresh Corn on the Cob, Cucumber and Onion Salad and Baked Potatoes always make the list (my mouth waters just thinking about them!) and this time was no exception. Then, of course, we have to have two or three desserts to complete the meal; Texas Sheet Cake (Mary's specialty), Cherry Jello Poke Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookies were the perfect finish to our fabulous dinner.

This time we decided to have barbecued ribs and I have to say they were incredible! These finger-licking-good ribs were cooked to perfection (thanks to Dianne and John) but I am sure it was the sauce that made them so delicious. We have a secret family recipe for home-made barbecue sauce that has been in our family for as long as I can remember. Our family used this barbecue sauce long before you could even buy bottled sauce and I still think it is the best. It is a tangy-sweet sauce that works with chicken, ribs, pork chops, etc.

Even though I have never given this recipe away before, I have decided to share it with you. Life is too short to not share something this good with your friends! If you have never made your own barbecue sauce, you have to give this recipe a try. You will be amazed at how easy and good it is and you will certainly impress your family and friends when you tell them you made it yourself!

Barbecue Sauce

4 cups ketchup
3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 Tbsp. vinegar
4 - 6 large onions, diced
1-1/2 tsp. chili powder
1-1/2 cups water
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool. Refrigerate.

Enjoy!