The BEST “Stampede BBQ” Menu EVER

Let’s set the scene

Stampede is coming, and if you live in YYC, this is supposed to be a BIG DEAL. If you don’t live in CALGARY, you may not have heard of our 10 day rodeo / drinking debauchery exhibition but most likely you have. Generally when I travel to other places and mention I am from Calgary, the Stampede is the thing most folks think of – that and the ’88 Olympics.

My experience with people and the Stampede is that they LOVE it, they HATE it, or they just plain forget that it is even happening. Realistically, if you don’t live close to the Stampede grounds, nor venture downtown you COULD pretend it’s not even happening. Of course, this doesn’t count every store window featuring bales of hay, painted on drawings of funny cowboys with oversized cowboy hats and casually running into a daily free pancake breakfast!

BUT, if you are not a huge lover of Stampede you can still embrace the Stampede season in your own way. As Danni and I now have “children” of drinking age, and their biggest fear is running into “mom and dad” line dancing at the beer tent, creating a fun “over 40” Stampede showdown at home, is really in everyone’s best interest… 🙂

If you hate the hustle and bustle of Stampede, or if you just like to “party” close to home, we have made it easy for you to create The Best Stampede BBQ ever, right in your own backyard. Is it just me, or as we age, do we get more cranky about stuff like finding parking, crowds and the nearest CLEAN restroom??

So – gather your friends and pick an afternoon or evening. Guess what? You’ve got 10 to choose from! Then use our Best Stampede BBQ Menu Ever as your guide. This menu is created from some of our summer favs, and of course – like most of the recipes on Mojo and Moxie – is healthier than what you might find on the Stampede grounds.

We are all about the “make-ahead” at Mojo and Moxie, because who wants to be sweating it out in your cowboy boots in the kitchen, while everyone else is enjoying a Caesar on the deck? Other than the corn on the cob, every recipe here can be made ahead and brought out just before serving.

The Best Stampede BBQ Menu Ever

Refined Sugar Free BBQ Ribs – recipe below

Apple Cider Vinegar Potato Salad – recipe below

True Food Kale Salad

Corn on the Cob

B’s Dessert for Breakfast

or

Gwyneth’s Basic Brownies

RECIPES:

Refined Sugar Free BBQ Ribs

• Servings: 10- 12 people and 2 cups of sauce
• Time: 2 hours plus time for grilling
• Print

Yummy, make ahead ribs with a refined sugar free BBQ sauce!

Ingredients

3 racks of ribs
salt / pepper

Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small sweet onion, finely diced
2 cloves of garlic
1 (8 oz. can) tomato sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons chili powder
sea salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Wrap 2 rimmed baking sheets completely with tin foil. Generously sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper and place on baking sheets. Slow bake for 2 hours. This can be done up to 2 days ahead if you chose. Just wrap the ribs in tin foil and put in the fridge until you are ready to grill.

While ribs are baking:
In a medium sauce pan add olive oil. On medium / low heat, sauté onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and sauté 1 additional minute. Add the remaining ingredients, stir and simmer until sauce has thickened – about 30 minutes. Allow to cool and store in fridge until ready to use. This can be made ahead as well!

When ready to BBQ: Pre-heat the grill to medium. Baste ribs with sauce, grilling until heated through! ENJOY!

Apple Cider Vinegar Potato Salad

• Servings: 6 - double it for a crowd
• Time: prep 15 minutes, cook 40 minutes
• Print

This is a healthier version of a summer BBQ fav. - made with apple cider vinegar instead of mayo. Light and full of flavour - this will be a hit at your Stampede BBQ!

Ingredients

2 lbs of potatoes, boiled and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium red onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, crushed
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup unpasteurized honey
1 bunch of fresh dill, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
freshly ground pepper
red pepper flakes (to taste – for a little zing!)

Directions:
Place cooked potatoes in a serving bowl.

In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until soft. Add vinegar, honey, dill, salt and pepper and red pepper flakes and sauté for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Pour dressing over potatoes and toss to coat. If desired, add extra salt pepper and dill to taste. Serve warm or cold. We love that this salad is another great make ahead, and can be made up to one day in advance.

So now that you have your mains prepared, put together an easy antipasto platter to start everyone off. Get your significant other to fill a bucket with ice and some Canadian beer, and Giddy ‘up!

Now you have The Best Stampede BBQ Menu Ever!

…and guess what – no chance of running into your kids … YEEE HAAAWWWW

However you celebrate… Happy Stampede!

xx

C