meeting #6

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garXiv:0806.0001
Date: Wed, 25 June 2008 19:30 CDT
Title: A Classic American Dinner in belated celebration of Obama's nomination-clinching
Authors: Sarah (chef de cuisine), Chris (sous-chef), Keren (pâtissier)
Categories: gastro-ph
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I decided to make what I think of as quintessentially American summer food. Not having a way to grill meant that my first thought, burgers, wasn't gonna happen, so I made BBQ beef sandwiches instead, cooking the meat all day in a slow cooker (not required.... you could just as easily do it in a low oven in a big Dutch oven). In addition, we had potato salad (everyone's version of this is different, but what I made is how my mom makes it -- such a taste of home to me!), green beans, and Caesar salad.

Keren made two delicious desserts: lemon meringue pie and chocolate souffles.

BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Mix together:
1 1/2 c ketchup
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp Worcestershire
1 tsp liquid smoke
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper (I bet I use more than this!)
1/4 tsp garlic powder (I left this out)

In a slow cooker or Dutch over, pour the sauce over a:
3-4 lb chuck roast

In a slow cooker, cook on low heat for 8-10 hrs (check early!) until falling apart. (I don't know just how to do it in a Dutch oven, sorry, but put in a slow oven for a long time.) Take the resulting chunks of meat out, shred them, and put them back in to the sauce to cook for another hour. Serve on hamburger buns.


Sarah's Mom's Potato Salad
3 large all purpose potatoes, boiled, cut in pieces, and still warm
2 hard boiled eggs, still warm
1 small white onion (golf ball size), chopped
1/2 tsp white vinegar
1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt
4-5 dollops of mayonnaise

Mix together. (My mom insists it will not be right unless the potatoes & eggs are still warm when you do so since that makes the flavors blend best.) Refrigerate until serving time.