What better way to start the day than enjoying the little t-ball game at the park behind my home. There is something about parents cheering and aluminum bats clanging that bring about a lot of memories for me, for I was once the dirty faced kid who slid face first into everything, sometime for no particular reason. I was also known for being the kid who tried to use his post game meal ticket twice at the snack shack. Unfortunately for me they were too smart for my illusions and as a result my love for food and the endless ways I have tried to get it has brought me to my patio where I am once again wishing I had that famous meal ticket. If only I could still fit into my uniform? It would be hilarious if I tried to climb into a stranger’s minivan but I recon the police would not share the same enthusiasm. I am better off here standing at the baseball field enormously hungry trying to figure out how to work some food into my roaring belly. Luckily for me my patio is equipped with a grill and some fuel. All I need is a good recipe and some tongs and I can have my own post game feast.

I have listed below a battle plan - if you will – designed to formulate the greatest backyard BBQ. Keeping in mind that you (my readers) have Interstitial Cystitis, this battle plan is intended to feed our own team. If you follow these steps you will soon be on your way to mouth watering chicken smothered in BBQ sauce, cooled downed by the classic potato salad and ice tea!

1. The Grill

Grilling begins with the grill itself and you must have the right tools to complete any job. Most of us have the basic gas grill and these grills will do the job just fine, however they do come with some flare causing qualities. For starters, they have hot rocks that are exposed directly below your food and when the fat in your meat begins to render, it will drip down onto those hot rocks creating smoke. Smoke contains PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) which is harmful for not only those with Interstitial Cystitis but also for everyone. Even though you cannot avoid PAH altogether, you can limit its contact with your food by grilling leaner cuts of meat and poultry and then finishing the cooking process in the oven.

2. The Meat

The leaner cuts of meat are as follows: top sirloin (beef), top round steaks (beef), tenderloin (beef), skinless chicken breast, lamb, pork tenderloin, pork bone in rib chop, venison, buffalo (bison), shrimp, and fish. For this dish I have chosen skinless chicken breasts. I prefer to butterfly my chicken breasts before grilling because it cuts the cooking process in half and that will allow less time for PAH’s to contact your food. Grill each side of the chicken breasts for three minutes before you add the BBQ sauce. When the BBQ sauce is added, lower your grill heat to low and grill each side for one minute, basting with BBQ between each flip. Rotate each breast three times per side, this will ensure you get a nice sweet crust.

3. The Sauce

BBQ sauce is evil. Mine is not.

1 cup carrot juice
¼ cup blueberry juice
1 garlic clove – minced
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons wheat flour
Salt to taste

Melt the butter first. Then sauté the garlic over medium heat for 30 seconds until it becomes aromatic. Increase the flame to medium high and add the flour, stirring for one minute (it should clump up). Now add the carrot and blueberry juices and brown sugar then stir for an additional minute. The sauce should thicken to the consistency of BBQ sauce, if it has not, continue stirring until it does. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

4. The Sides

Potato salad is a staple at my BBQ as well as everyone else’s in these 50 states. This potato salad is made with no mayonnaise and will contain no vinegar or citrus. This recipe will be new to most people who did not grow up eating German potato salad, but it will still please your taste buds. If you can eat dairy, add 2 tablespoons of sour cream right before serving, and add a teaspoon more salt.

4 potatoes
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup chopped parsley or chives
Salt to taste

Boil the potatoes in salt water until fork tender, drain and let cool. Add the flour, water, and honey into a sauté pan and stir over medium heat until thickened. Pour the sauce over the potatoes and then add the parsley and salt. Toss and cool.

5. The Drink

Anything served ice cold would surely feel nice on a hot day. I normally would make a large pitcher of ice water but with all these great flavors I have to choose blueberry herbal tea. Blueberry herbal tea will compliment the blueberries in the BBQ sauce and keep any threat of a flare at bay!