Family Gathering: Grilled Oysters and More
Now that the Japan posts are all done, I can finally try and catch up and share everything else I’ve been eating this summer!
Back in July we had a BBQ at my sister-in-law Lita’s (and brother-in-law Dennis’) house in Marin. It just so happens that three of our family members celebrate the same birthday, so each year there is one big party to celebrate the birth of J’s brother, brother-in-law and nephew. The weather was gorgeous and the food was fantastic. My brothers-in-law Carl and Greg manned the beautiful outdoor kitchen (I’m so jealous!) while the rest of us cooled ourselves in the pool, drank lots of wine and had a great time.
Smiling chefs in action
I’d be smiling a lot if I had an outdoor kitchen like this one!
Now Carl has always been famous for his grilled oysters, a delicacy I’d yet to sample until this very birthday celebration. Let me tell you- if given the chance to eat these plump, juicy oysters bathed in garlic butter and/or hot sauce every day for the rest of my life, I would. It epitomizes one of the key rules (if not THE key rule) of cooking: Use good ingredients and keep it simple. Let the ingredient shine. Holy moly these babies were just delicious on their own, but toss in a pat of fresh garlic butter (not too much, just touch) and they just blossom into the perfect food. I think I ate 1/3 of the entire platter of oysters by myself. Carl and Greg also grilled up some insanely tender “beer can chicken” that we all devoured.
Get in my belly!
Carl offers up one of his delcious oysters, which I promptly grabbed out of his hand right after I took this photo
One can’t survive on just oysters (well, I could) so there were ribs….
Farro, corn & black bean salad
Couscous salad…..yum
Combined with the culinary contributions of everyone else (some fruit, cheese, a fantastic couscous salad courtesy of Nina and my farro/corn/black bean mix) it was a great meal and just a great way to spend a summer day.
After playing Rockstar for hours, my nephew Dominic (right) and friend relax in the jacuzzi
Thanks to the whole family for such a great day!
