Better for a barbie...

I am stuffed full of charcoaled meat and therefore stuffed full of enthusiasm and good feelings. I don't know what it is - and maybe there's a scientific study that can be done here to ascertain exactly what's going on - but there is something about the combination of overcooked barbecued sausages, slightly warm salad and a decent coleslaw that just takes me to a state of ecstasy. Add in a cold glass of something fizzy and some hot mustard and it approaches something orgasmic. Bring in some honey-coated chicken drumsticks and basically I have nirvana in my garden. So this afternoon and evening have been a celebration of culinary-inspired happiness and family-based appreciations. I have endorphins coursing through my body alongside the protein and nutrients and I feel, for the first time in a number of weeks, human, happy and fulfilled.
I think I might make this a weekly benchmark in my life. Every Sunday, rain or shine, between now and (let's say) Hallowe'en, I shall endeavour to have a 'cook-out' (as our American friends call them) and feed the family by the means of an unclean grill. I can spend all morning prepping (alongside playing with my sons) and then leave things sitting happily in the fridge, marinating, until we are ready to fire up and feast. I can spend most of my spare time during the week planning recipes and deciding what to put together, and then I can collect what I need to from the shop on the way home from work on Saturday. If it involves a trip to the butcher, I can nip out on a lunch break. Or Hell, I could say sod it and do something we haven't done since Mathew was first born and we started trying to cut down on spending - I could pay to have a delivery-to-your-door special meat-lovers multipack hand-delivered by the nearest farm shop. Pricey, but delicious, and isn't it good to support local companies and local producers? Especially when their produce is amazingly tasty.

RC 26-5-24