Labor Day Fake-BBQ

Having friends who love food is awesome, but having friends who love food and love to host is even more awesome!  I never run into friends randomly on the street, but recently had a night where I ran into two couples that I haven’t seen in a while.  EE and I caught up for a little bit (I was with HB, after our normal Friday routine), and mentioned how we hadn’t hung out in AGES.  She was meant to attend the pernil party, but timing didn’t work out as it were.  Boo.  So instead, J&J (aka Orzo and his gf, who had hosted the pernil party) kindly offered to host Labor Day Fake-BBQ!  (Fake because we all live in apartments.  Grilling isn’t always an option.) 

And my goodness, the spread was amazing!!!

Ribs!  J said she used Alton Brown’s recipe but didn’t mention which one.  I’m sure if you speak up though she might pop by and let us know 🙂

A lovely broccoli salad also made by J.  I loved this – crunchy, creamy, tangy from the onion, vinegary from the dressing, and meaty – from the BACON!!!  *swoon*  I believe it was her own recipe, but I’m sure you could throw together your own.  The broccoli was raw – I wonder how it’d be with the broccoli roasted ever so slightly, omg…!

Creamed spinach made by the male half of J&J, Orzo… I asked him what was in it and do you really want to know?  Cream cheese, heavy cream… spinach…  Mmm…

I arrived a bit late, but this was part of the fluffy angelfoodcake that J made.  She also made an almond scented whipped cream that turned good lemon angelfoodcake to transcendent. 

Apple pie, also from J(f).  I saw BF scarfing this down, so I’ll say it was a success…

My offering, baked mac & cheese, also using Alton Brown’s recipe, though I doubled it (by not quite doubling all the ingredients but macaroni).  I was scared by the amount of cheese I had to use… but the cheese sauce was pretty damn decadent.  I mean, I tasted a bit as I went, and mmm goodness… be still my clogging heart 😉

The dirty upclose shot.  I think people liked it since they all kept raving about it.  Actually, I’m pretty sure they all liked it more than I did, since in the end, I thought it was only alright.

My first plate.  That’s a piece of fried chicken, Orzo’s secret recipe.  Was pretty damn good too – very moist and delicious.  And the plate says it all: I don’t need dessert.  Another piece of fried chicken was my dessert.  You know how I feel about sweets: nice, but not necessary. 

I totally forgot to take a picture of the cupcakes that EE brought – red velvet from Abou’s (I think that’s what she said?).  Yummy!!!  Tons of good food, good friends, great conversation, and fun games later in the night.  Hahaha… involving getting shot but so much fun!!!  😉

Happy eating~!  Many thanks, once again, to J&J for hosting!!!