The idea for Rib Fest was born on a beautiful early evening in June, on the Vision of the Seas cruise ship sailing by France. As we were enjoying drinks in the nautically decorated Schooner Bar, my husband took note that this cruise, possibly because of its European ports, did not include ribs! He loves ribs. Our dear friends suggested that when we arrived back home, we should get together for a rib dinner, they are, apparently, proficient rib chefs! The deal was struck.
We decided to celebrate Rib Fest 2011 on Labor Day weekend. It just seemed right. What better way to celebrate the hard work of the labor force than to sit down together with friends and family, a deep pile of napkins, and dig into a stack of ribs?
The date was set. September 3rd, 2011. Preparations were going on for days prior. Shopping done, marinating done, now on to the cooking!
When our friends arrived, we almost tripped over ourselves running out to the car to greet them. The scent of ribs wafted from their doors as they were opened. The aromatic, mesmerizing smells filled the air surrounding the car. It was then that we noticed the outrageous amount of food they had brought. If this had been a movie, music would have descended from above.
Six huge racks of ribs were encased in a heavy silver foil roll, did I say 6 HUGE RACKS?!! Beyond the ribs, a foil-baking dish the size of Wisconsin was filled with a pasta dish that would make Mario Batali proud. Chili was beyond the pasta and included separate containers of onions and peppers. Thinking that was all, we started carrying the dishes out of their car when low and behold there was another huge baking dish filled with homemade baked beans!! What else? How about wine, beer and a dish of “No Pudge” mocha brownies! I thought my husband would faint from sheer, unadulterated joy!
With great anticipation, our mouths already watering, we brought the catered event into the house. The oven was already pre-heated as my daughter and I had prepared a kugel just a bit earlier.
Arranging the humongous platters in the stove was challenging, but we did it! As the dinner warmed, we dove into a strawberry salad that I had prepared earlier, a special recipe from my cousin that is truly amazing. Thanks wonderful cousin!!
As we finished the salad and began assembling the mass array of food on the table, everyone’s eyes were popping…later, their stomachs would be!
We ate and laughed and devoured each entrée with gusto. Good appetites are always our strong suit and they didn’t fail us one bit! With bellies full and buttons popping we glanced at the table still overflowing with scrumptious entrees. There truly was enough food for an army!
The platters were daring us to finish them, but, as the tv show states, in this instance of “Man vs Food”, food won. And yet, dessert was yet to come and we would not cower, we are not wimps! Coffee brewed, we cleared the table and set it again with Crème de Menthe chocolate chip cookies and a crème de menthe cake that my daughter baked, the No Pudge brownies, and individual pudding parfaits complete with whipped cream topping. While feeling there was just no more room, not for one more bite, we chewed on……
After dinner the Rib Fest 2011 crew assembled in the living room to stretch our legs and let our stomachs descend a bit. As usual when we’re together, we laughed and reminisced as we remembered other shared good times and we planned future experiences.
Rib Fest 2011 was a rousing success! With treasured friends and family together, how could it be anything else?!
3 comments:
You're an excellent writer!
This post really told the story that was Rib Fest 2011. You captured the excitement and adventure of it all -- even though it was just a group of people cooking and eating, being there was pretty intense and fun, and that definitely comes though in your post.
As a proud Rib Fest 2011 participant, I can vouch that this is an accurate depiction, and that I'm hoping 2012's festivities are even grander!
Thanks Alex!! This comment from such an excellent writer such as yourself, I am truly honored!
That event sounds like it was fun and very nice!
Post a Comment