Summer Soul Food: BBQ Chicken and Easy Peach Cobbler

A funny thing happens when you live on a tropical island, where there are no seasons to speak of and it is perpetually 83 degrees and sunny.  I've found that there is no way to guage time here, and the holidays and events that happen throughout the year, which you just instictively do back home based on Mother Nature's mood swings. 

For me, living in the Southeast for the last 30 years meant these things...the heat of the summer and that signature thick, humid haze signals fresh veggies from the garden, gorgeous blooms from the yard, barbecues and days spent by the pool.  When the weather cools in the fall, you get excited to wear sweaters and boots again, to pick apples and pumpkins, and to sit in the backyard at night by the firepit with friends and a  good glass of wine.  The winter (or any time the temperature falls below 60 degrees in South Carolina) is a time to hibernate inside in front of the fireplace, and at least buy a cute coat for the times you do venture out.

So checking my calendar I realize that it is almost the end of June and the July 4th holiday is approaching.  And something in me craves food from the grill and fruit pies.  So last night I cooked in a way that made our insides happy, but not without a touch of nostalgia for my grandmother, who was the ultimate Southern home cook.  My memories of her always include a hot, steamy summer kitchen, fresh butter beans, chicken and dumplings, cobblers, and foods she had canned herself.  So during this time when I've been missing home, I think of her and want to cook like her, and miss her dearly.

The barbecue chicken is my own recipe that I just throw together and cook in the crock pot, so here it is, and please excuse the lack of technicality.  As I've said before, slow cooker recipes for me are loosey goosey, and they always turn out just fine.  But don't miss the peach cobbler recipe below.  This one tastes like childhood to me, and was so good my husband said it was worthy of a "food-gasm."  So umm, try to control yourself.  Happy summer and happy cooking!

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• dash of Worcestershire
• dash of hot sauce
• 2 tbsp.  Montreal steak seasoning
• 2 slices uncooked bacon

Preparation

1. Combine ketchup through seasoning, in a large bowl, and to taste.
2. Spoon some of sauce into slow cooker, enough to coat the bottom.
3. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker, top each breast with 1/2 slice bacon, and pour remaining sauce over top to cover.
4. Cook 4 hours on high.

Easy Peach Cobbler (adapted, Southern Living)

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup all-purpose flour 

2 cups sugar, divided

1 tablespoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 cup milk

4 cups fresh peach slices

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

1. Melt butter in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish
2. Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt; add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter over butter (do not stir).
3. Bring remaining 1 cup sugar, peach slices, lemon juice, and vanilla to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly; pour over batter (do not stir). Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
4. Bake at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve cobbler warm or cool.

* Note:  I halved this recipe and used unsweetened, vanilla flavored almond milk instead of regular milk.  You do not need dairy milk for this if you are lactose-free.