Childhood Memories, and of course, Food!

I grew up in the hot, dry climate of Kern County, California. Desert-like. Lizards, trap-door spiders, rattle snakes, and lots of tumble weeds. We used to build tumble-weed forts and decorate the entrances with elaborate stone walkways and flowers. Sometimes we'd have tumble-weed fort fights; and sometimes our dad would have to rescue us from the "mean" kids in the other neighborhood :). We used to walk the pavement on bare feet in the summertime and it'd be so hot you could actually see the heat rising off the blacktop. But still we walked barefoot. We were tough.

I don't remember calling it Santa Maria style BBQ back then, but that's what we ate. And Deep Pit BBQ ( especially at the Pyle's Boys Camp BBQ where we always went because my dad volunteered with them helping out the less fortunate boys. And this is where we'd sneak the left-over beer in the paper cups left on the picnic tables). And lots of really good Mexican food--I mean really good!

This is the Santa Maria style BBQ that I recently cooked (still grilling outside in this sub-zero weather we're having, but hey, it's worth it!) Perfectly seasoned tri-tip with just salt, cracked black pepper and garlic granules; homemade garlic bread, fresh garden salad with tomatoes and vinaigrette; homemade fresh salsa (they call it Pico-de-gallo now, but we still call it "salsa"; but I've heard Rick Bayless ,my mentor who doesn't know it, call it "Mexican Salsa." ) And no Santa Maria BBQ is complete without Pinquito Beans!

These small, pinkish-colored beans are very good, cooked with bacon, ground beef, onions, garlic, oregano, tomato juice and your favorite chili mix. Nothing better!