You Don't Have To Go To Memphis

To Get The Blues

   (Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)


Ahh Memphis... home to Elvis, Sun studio, Beale Street and Barbecue. Today we're literally taking a page right out of the Memphis Junior League with a couple of my favorite recipes from their "Heart & Soul" cookbook. 

We're grilling up a BBQ "spatchcock" chicken, Mr. Teddy's Rum Toddy and some hot Memphis music. And like ole John says "Let's go to Memphis in the meantime, I need a little shot of that Rhythm baby". 


The pots are on!

The Plate...

Wilder's Fabulous BBQ Chicken

In the "Mid-South" you have to put barbecue sauce on something in order for it to qualify as a barbecue; otherwise you're just grilling. Not sure who ole Wilder is, but this is one good barbecue recipe. 

Just make sure make sure you tend to the fire... lots of basting means lots of flare ups. 

What you need... 

3 pound fryer chicken, split in half
4 cups hickory chips
3 tbsp bourbon
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp all-purpose greek seasoning
3 tbsp lemon-pepper
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tbsp hot sauce
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

What you do...

Soak the hickory chips in a mixture of bourbon and enough water to cover for 30 minutes.

For the basting sauce- combine wine, lemon juice, seasoning, lemon pepper, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.

Drain the hickory chips and place directly on coals. 

Place the chicken, bone-side down, on the grate and brush with basting sauce.

Cook over low coals for 10 minutes then turn and baste.

Cook breast side down for 5 minutes turn and baste with sauce. 

Continue turning and basting for 35-45 minutes until chicken is tender.

Generously baste with the BBQ sauce the last 10 minutes.

The Playlist...

You Don't Have To Go To Memphis

Well, you don't have to go to Memphis, but it's a cool place to hang out. Wether you like the blues, soul or a little something in between they have it all. 

This is just a small sampling of all the songs written about this great city on the Chickasaw bluff of the mighty Mississippi. One of my favorites, "Dixie Chicken", cautions of the spell a Memphis lady can put on you. The "sirens of the sea" don't have a thing compared to the lure of a southern belle down by the river. 

Many others talk about a love lost in Memphis, but I guess you don't have to be there to have that happen. Just be careful hanging out at the Commodore Hotel. 

("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )

The Bar...

Teddy's Toddies

What you need...  

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
3 cups rum
1 cup fresh lime juice
lime slice for garnish

What you do...

Combine sugar and water in a sauce pan.

Cook over low heat until sugar is dissolved.

Stir in rum and lime juice. 

Serve over ice. 

Garnish with lime slices.

Here's to you Teddy... Cheers!

I Think There's Something To This!

Please... Day Drink Responsibly 

& 

Keep On Cookin'!