Grate expectations

People like to tell you that food is not a reward for hard work. I beg to differ.

After spending countless hours (or the sum total of two weekends) getting our yard in shape, Mark and I decided that a celebration was in order. A celebration of the grill out variety.

As luck would have it, I had been selected to host a McCormick Grill Mates party via Crowdtap so I had some help.

The company sent me McCormic Grill Mates Molasses Bacon and Montreal Steak seasonings, Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Spiced Brandy & Herb Marinade (we didn't use this) and Slow and Low Memphis Pit BBQ Rub. I had never used any of the products but I have to say that I was impressed that the barbecue sauce didn't have high fructose corn syrup. Miles eats off my plate, and I hate giving him ingredients like that.

I used the sauce to make barbecue chicken legs. Of course, that wasn't all. I opted to do a tasting menu of sorts - half-slab ribs (BBQ rub), sliders (Montreal Steak Seasoning) and the BBQ chicken.

I had made it a goal to keep things simple for this party but somehow that didn't work.

We had the sampling of meats, Memphis-style Coleslaw, sweet potato salad (made with Molasses Bacon seasoning instead of the other spices), deviled eggs, a slew of chips and brownies.

Oh, and there was pound cake. Grilled pound cake with berries. As much as I loved everything else, this dish was, hands down, my favorite.

OK, maybe it was that.

How was your weekend?