Good eats

Father's Day WAS a month or so ago, but we just got around to picking up David's gift this weekend...a new BBQ. The last time we purchased a BBQ it was a charcoal model back in 1991 for David's 30th birthday. We got our money's worth out of that one; it finally was sent to the BBQ bone yard this past Memorial Day.

A lot has changed in BBQ technology since I bought the last one (and put it together in the backyard with my friend Katsy while Holly - who was not even 2 yet - napped). It took David and I nearly 2 hours of hemming, hawing and chatting it up with Greg the patio furniture/BBQ guy at our local Home Depot. I will say that Greg was chalk full of information, advice and opinions...most of which were very helpful to us and all of which were entertaining to some degree or another. Let's just say that he probably isn't going to win the employee most enamored with their employer award!

Our careful calculations paid off and we brought home a propane BBQ that has infrared technology. I would like to believe that this is very cool in the world of grillers and we will be glad that we got this model. I must admit that some of the allure in this case is the easy clean-up and distinctive red cover. Call me superficial, but a grill needs to be functional AND look good too!

We opted to assemble it at home ourselves (and when I say WE, I naturally mean David) to save a trip back out next week and to get things up and running for the weekend. We did not have too many difficulties (note that I have once again used the word 'we' in a very loose context) and after about an hour or so of fidgeting, it was ready to fire up! Hook up the propane tank and we are all set.

Ah, yes, that little matter of the propane. While we were at Home Depot I asked David if we needed a tank, to which he confidently replied, "I have 3 tanks at home." Excellent. One little detail however, they are all probably about 10 years old and the valve/connector thingie doesn't fit. Good luck trying to find a propane tank at 7:30 pm on the Sunday of the 4th of July weekend. It isn't going to happen. We opted for a nice tamale casserole instead and can only hope that we get the tank hooked up by tomorrow night.

The first meal? Steaks, of course. Beef tenderloins from Omaha Steaks for the carnivores. I will do just fine with my Morning Star Farm veggie dogs, all sauced up and sequestered to their own little spot on the grill...far, far away from the beef juices. It will be a fine and tasty meal topped off with corn, baked sweet potatoes, garlic bread and homemade ice cream. Seriously, this is how we should eat every day!

Now if only we had that propane connected...