The 4th of July is a special holiday for my family. Since my fiance' and I got together 3 1/2 years ago we have been celebrating the 4th of July at my mother's house in Stanwood. We also celebrate his daughter's birthday on the same day, because her birthday is on July 6th. What a blast it is! We invite our closest friends and their kids to swim in the pool, watch fireworks and eat until their hearts are content.
I am all about bargain shopping when it comes to food. I never leave home without a coupon. One thing that is always on sale in the summer time is pork ribs. You can get pork ribs for 99 cents a pound if you buy them on sale. What a deal! So, every 4th of July we barbecue up some pork ribs and corn on the cob. That is our traditional meal and we can't get enough of it!
Corn on the cob is a gift that is so often taken for granted. Good old Washington grown corn, barbecued over the grill and slathered in so much butter you will need a whole roll of napkins to eat it. Not only do we eat this famous meal on the 4th of July, but we eat it at all of our barbecues in the summer. If there is a get together at my house my friends and family don't even ask what we are having. They all know were having ribs and corn on the cob. If I could eat corn on the cob every day I would. If ribs were on sale year round, and I had a chest freezer then we would definitely be stocked up.
Next July 4th things will be a little different. I am getting married on July 3rd. But one thing that won't change is our signature dish! We are barbecuing ribs up at our wedding too! So you see, ribs and corn on the cob is the meal for my family. It just isn't summer without the two and it wouldn't be our wedding without them either.
The great thing about a meal like corn on the cob and ribs is that almost everyone likes it. I have yet to come across someone who did not enjoy some good old finger licking foods. We can even cook ribs for my stepdaughter's friend who eats gluten free (no barbecue sauce of course).
It is not exactly a fancy, unique meal. My families meal is a representation of American food and a love for barbecuing. The meal sort of ties our family and friends together. It is not just a meal anymore. It represents our love for each other and it bonds us together. Who would have ever thought that food could bring so much togetherness and joy.
