by Carrie Dos Santos –
The month of May is National Barbecue Month! Pleasant temperatures, light breezes, and blooming flowers beckon many people to enjoy the outdoors while preparing and eating meals.
The term “barbecue” first appeared in print in the sixteenth century in Spanish as “barbecoa” to denote a way of cooking outdoors. The term has evolved over the centuries to not only signify a particular method of outdoor cooking, but also the social gathering associated with that cooking. If you are planning a barbecue of your own during this month, the Middlesex Library has plenty of books to help you create your menu, decorate, and enjoy outdoor activities.
Barbecue enthusiasts will undoubtably find their next greatest recipe in one of these tried and true cookbooks, all available at the Middlesex County Public Library (MCPL) Deltaville and Urbanna branches:
- “The Ultimate Outdoor Cookbook,” by Linda Ly, provides plenty of recipes for outdoor cooking at every meal and includes some great drink recipes, too.
- “Bobby Flay’s Grill It!” by Bobby Flay, Stephanie Banyas, and Sally Jackson, is a favorite cookbook of all things that can be cooked on a grill by a master chef and restaurateur.
- “Dr. BBQ’s Big-Time Barbeque Cookbook,” by Ray Lampe, is another classic barbecue bible for all kinds of meats, poultry, and seafood.
If you seek guidance in the logistics and decorations for an outdoor gathering, MCPL is the place to find it:
- “The Half-Hour Hostess,” by Rebecca Kracke Gordon, gives ways to throw easy gatherings, both indoors and outdoors, without a lot of fuss.
- Magazines such as “Southern Living,” “Better Homes & Gardens,” and “Taste of Home,” provide monthly inspiration for decorating, place settings, and party etiquette.
All of these books and more are available at the Deltaville and Urbanna branch libraries. Come by and browse or visit the website at www.yourmiddlesexlibrary.org for more barbecue inspiration.
