The special sauce is actually a glaze that is drizzled on top of the meat once it is cooked.  It’s a simple combination of household items that help concentrate the meat flavors with subtle hints of sweet, sour, savory, and salt.

For my younger cousin Riza, who made multiple trips back to the counter for more sauce, it was definitely a winner.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of the natural juices from the cooked meat

2 tablespoons hot sauce – any brand will do

1 tablespoon jelly – any flavor will do

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 teaspoons white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt and pepper

Instructions:

After a steak has been cooked, let it rest.  Save some of the natural juice that comes from the steak.  Combine all of the ingredients except the olive oil.  Make sure the ingredients are fully incorporated before slowly drizzling the olive oil and whisking to create a thicker sauce, i.e., an emulsion.  Use this sauce by lightly drizzling over your cooked meat.  It works great with all red meats, poultry, pork, and even some hearty fish, such as salmon.

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One reason why I love summer: eating outdoors.  

The other night I had a wonderful dinner with some friends from the Cathedral.  What a beautiful evening, full of laughs, food and a beautifully landscaped yard.  It reminded me of a Tuscan Villa.  

On the menu, spaghetti alla matriciana – a great recipe that I learned from another family friend (Aldo Vitale), which I’ll share with you all in an upcoming blast.

The second course was grilled beef, topped with a caper crema with porcini infused potatoes.  The sides were grilled peppers and fresh artichokes.  

Dessert was a grilled peach, topped with a minty sweet mascarpone cheese.  

In the midst of the dinner, the hosts mentioned how pleasant it is to eat outdoors. They said it’s been a while since they used their outdoor for a family meal.  I can understand. With out busy lives, it’s not easy to do family dinners outdoors – you know with bringing all the dishes back and forth – but it’s definitely worth it.  If God gives us a beautiful day, then get out and enjoy it!

But, even though it was an “outdoor” meal, I did all the cooking inside – including the grilled peaches! 

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Get the grills going!  In Maryland, the weather is perfect for Fourth of July.

It’s also the memorial feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. And, even though these two feast day / celebrations are not exactly connected, there are some common expressions of truth worth celebration.  Today’s patronal saint worked for peace and true freedom for the people of her country and in her own home.  Isn’t that what our Fourth of July celebration is all about?  Peace and Freedom – in the most true sense of the word?  Our prayers today are for our country to experience true peace and freedom, which comes when we are liberated from sins, and when we can share our table with our neighbors.

Another connection – St. Elizabeth of HUNGARY, sounds alot like “hungry!”

I hope you and your family enjoy the holiday, and the food that comes with such a great American tradition!  For my family, an Independence Day barbecue isn’t just burgers and hot dogs, it’s also marinated pork skewers – just like my nephew Jared is feasting!

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