What a gorgeous day of weather we had yesterday! I can remember so many Memorial Day parades where it was cold, rainy, etc. My Mom actually walked in the parade we used to ride our bikes in back in the day. It starts at my old grade school, which I haven’t probably stepped foot into in 30+ years. I invited her over for a BBQ. Of course, we couldn’t let the day go by without doing some sort of snapchat!
I ended up doing an appetizer plate – a nice balance of healthy and a bit of indulgence. I roasted grapes again because I found black grapes, which I sometimes can’t get every week. Just something about roasting them gives them such an amazing flavor. Just a couple cups of grapes tossed in 1/2 teaspoon grapeseed oil, salt and pepper, and baked for 30 minutes at 350. Let cool. I served them with brie, goat cheese spread and crackers. Added some cheese curds, strawberries, watermelon and blueberries, and had to round it out with bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers. The roasted grape cracker: salty/sweet/crunchy
As I was starting to make my BBQ sauce I could hear Tony laughing at me. You see, I pulled out the brown sugar to add to my turkey bacon for breakfast. When it got time to pull my ingredients together for the BBQ sauce, I literally could not find it. Mind you, my kitchen is not that big, and there are only so many places I could have put it, but after a 10 minute search, I just gave up and decided to wing it. I am sure I’ll find it in the freezer later today.
So I have no idea what type of BBQ sauce this is, i.e. Kansas City style, or what – all I know is that it ended up being delicious. Guess what I substituted the brown sugar with?
Yep! Pancake syrup!
It’s tangy, slightly sweet, but huge in the vinegar department, which is my favorite type of BBQ sauce. And because of the high acidity level, this will keep in the fridge for a month or more. I ended up making ribs, because that’s one of the meats Hannah will eat – well, only if it falls off the bone. I baked these in the oven for three hours at 275 wrapped in foil, then finished them off on the grill with the BBQ sauce. You know when your ribs are done, when the bones look like that.
Pretty sure that’s fall off the bone! Hannah tried it, but declared that ribs are no longer in her wheelhouse, but helped herself to corn and the orzo asparagus side dish I made, but never got a picture of.
I had to laugh because at one point Mom and I were sitting outside, and Rummy jumped into Nana’s lap and just started giving her all sorts of love!
Yep, another holiday my Mom spent with her favorite child! The dogs enjoyed being outside with us. After running around for just a few minutes though, they get so tired.
I have my Weight Watcher WI this morning (it won’t be good!) and then lunch out with a friend today. This week I’ll be working tomorrow in Evanston, Thursday in LaGrange, Saturday in Downer’s Grove and Sunday back in Frankfort. Busy week, but I think I can handle a 4 day work week. 
Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend, make it a great day!
Now that’s an idea to roast grapes and I think the combination with the goat cheese and crackers will be delicious. Definitely going to remember this.
Seems to me you had a wonderful Monday.
I love Rummy and your Momma, Bella does the same with my Mom.
Just wondering: don’t Hannah and Jacob walk the dogs every day? Dogs need exercise as much as we do.
My husband is OBSESSED with finding the prefect ribs recipe! This sounds fantastic. I stumbled it so others can find it, too! 🙂
Glad your mom got to spend the day with her favorite child! 😉 Great photos of your mom & Rummy!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
I’ve tried doing ribs on the grill the whole time, but I’ve hit or miss success with it. It’s hard to regulate the temperature of the coals, etc., so once I did the oven to grill method – perfectly tender every time. 😀
Why do tired dogs always look depressed?
Your BBQ ribs look amazing. WANT. Also, I saw someone else roast grapes and Ima have to try that. Why grapeseed oil? Could one use olive oil instead, if one doesn’t want to purchase grapeseed oil? 😉
Any oil would work Shelley, even coconut oil. I just love grapeseed oil because it doesn’t taste like anything – and a decent size bottle is only $4.99 at Aldi.
My Mom loved the ribs too – I try to make stuff that she wouldn’t normally make for herself, and since she lives alone, buying a big ol slab of ribs isn’t going to happen. I’ll take the meat off the bones for BBQ sandwiches later this week. I guess Hannah will have pasta 😀
The bbq sauce is “BIZ STYLE”! I’ve roasted grapes before too. They really are good! LOVE the pups! Sending a big hug your way Amiga!
I feel the hugs Roz – thanks!
Hmmm, I’ve never considered using pancake syrup in bbq sauce, but I can see why it would be good. That dog loves your mama!
OMG, Suzi – it’s too funny to watch because Rummy can be so forceful and my Mom has a hard time getting her off of her – I literally had to peel her off of my Mom!
There is a Spice House in Evanston. I like them so much more than Penzey’s. You can buy small amounts of their stuff and you can smell everything.
If we take separate cars, I’ll have to check that out – thanks Randi!
What cute little doggie faces!
I wonder how real maple syrup would be in place of the pancake syrup in the BBQ sauce?
I definitely think maple syrup would work – but you could also use regular brown sugar. I’ll use brown sugar the next time, when I actually find it! 😛
Fewf. I made it through them all. I’m glad you had a great memorial day! plus the dogs are so adorable I can’t deal.
Ha, I love you how caught up with me Ashley! I know, Roman especially is so cute so if I come in the house and he’s chewing on a shoe I can’t really stay too made with that puppy dog face!
I have never heard of or thought of roasted grapes but that sounds really tasty! Will have to try them.
Let me know if you like it Maggie – they just gets all caramelized in the oven and they keep in the fridge for several days. Hope you are doing well!
Just curious if your new job gives you insurance..? I know how important that is with diabetes. Love reading your blog;)
Hey Tammy! Nope, I still pay insurance through my old company, and can until the end of the year. That’s why I only committed to working through the summer, because in the fall, I’ll need to find a job with full benefits.
Thanks for reading!