We were lucky enough to have our first BBQ of the season be glorious. Jenn and Matt invited us over for the Survivor finale and burgers. And oh-- what delicious burgers they were. Juicy, rare, perfectly cooked, with grilled onions, and slabs of blue cheese.

We offered to bring sides, which Otis executed because I was lazily napping away the afternoon in the living room with the windows open and the curtains swaying in the breeze. Zeke was nice enough not to lick me to wake me up, as he was in the kitchen watching anxiously lest any pieces of cabbage or green bean fall to the floor. He takes his responsibility as floor cleaner very seriously.

As Otis takes his BBQ responsibilities very seriously. First he made green bean salad-- a simple enough preparation, green beans roasted with garlic oil & S&P, then chilled with a touch of balsamic.

He also made a fabulous yellow cole slaw, adapted from the book Peace, Love and Barbeque. (If you've never seen this book, check it out. In addition to some amazing recipes, it's a wonderful narrative, full of stories and anecdotes from barbeque culture.)

We've been eating the slaw all this week. It just gets better. Here's the recipe:

1/8 cup pickle juice
3/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 T annatto oil (optional. this is what makes it yellow.)
1 t pepper
1 t salt
1 t celery seed
1 t mustard powder
1 t sugar
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 1/4 cup mayo
1 cabbage, shredded (we use our glorious cuisinart. thanks mom!!)
4 carrots, shredded
1 small onion, shredded.

Mix everything together and chill.

Enjoy the spring and summer! We've had a little weather setback here, and it's back down to the 50s during the day, and rainy. I'm sure it will turn around soon. Plus, the rain is good for the garden. Our azalea is getting ready to flower!