Saturday Man Meal - Planning Ahead

Murphy's Law likes to post "Saturday Man Movie" on the weekends. So, with that in mind, before you've decided what to do on Saturday or before you've done your grocery shopping, how about an easy bachelor dinner to go with that? Perfect for family or an easy make ahead and forget it meal to cook while you're out and about with a friend.

Then you can come home and pick out the best Man Movie you want to watch. Or curl up with a dram of beverage and a board game.

Crap.  I bought the Welsh Edition.

The evening activity is up to you but dinner will be a hit.  The Bacon Bourbon Barbecue sauce is easy to put together, despite having a number of ingredients, about anyone could make it. Yes, you can substitute a bottle of store bought barbecue sauce; you could also have the meal watching Honey Boo Boo with the anti-gun Democrat you met at the speed dating evening. Your choice folks. If I have my choice I'd make this using the Maple Vinegar recipe from Popular Science.  (Ladies and gents, if you haven't cooked something from Popular Science you need to get out more.)  Of course you can use Malt or White vinegar if making this on the fly.

Dismantle a chicken, wash, dry and place pieces in a crock pot.  Top with half a  large sliced onion and a sliced lemon (seeds removed) and then drizzle with a batch of Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce  (I sprinkled on a bit of smoked paprika first).  Cook on low 6-8 hours.  Serve with noodles or rice, salad or a vegetable. (now as you all know, I don't measure, but here are the best approximations from the HOTR eyeball/palm/finger measurement system)

1/2 cup diced smoked Amish bacon

1/2 cup chopped Walla Walla sweet onion

2 Tablespoons chopped garlic

1 cup tomato sauce (I like Glen Muir, it has little depth to it)

1/2 cup maple, malt or white vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup (and a little splash) bourbon

3 Tablespoons molasses

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika (in the sauce or sprinkle on chicken first)

pinch or two of crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon ground mustard (or a couple teaspoons of Dijon)

1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt (or regular salt)

several shakes or grinds of fresh black pepper.

 ready for cooking

Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce - The Preparation

Cook the bacon in big skillet. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a small bowl.

Saute the onions in the bacon fat until starting to caramelize.

Add the garlic and saute for another minute.

Add remaining ingredients (except bourbon and bacon) and simmer on low, stirring every few minutes until it begins to thicken, about 45 minutes, adding in cooked bacon and bourbon towards the end of the cooking time.

Cool to room temperature and place in a blender or food processor and blend for 45 seconds, until pureed. and then store. It's actually better the second day so if you can make it a night ahead, that's great and I often double it.  This keeps for about a month, refrigerated, or use with your favorite crock pot or grilling recipe (also great on ribs).

Mwynhewch eich bwyd!