Are your 4th of July plans in the backyard? Ours, too. In fact, we like it that way. Whether your shindig is just you and your darling or involves the neighborhood, the fam, and all the work folks, we’ve got the BBQ at home tips you need to succeed. So without further ado …
BBQ Extravaganza: California Style
The classic California style barbecue hails from the Santa Maria area, and was the brainchild of the vaqueros — cowboys of Mexican descent. It got started in the mid-19th century, but became more popular statewide by the 1930s.
California barbecue is usually tri tip, although sirloin will do in a pinch. It’s typically cooked over an open flame, but you can embed that gentle smoky flavor by using red oak or coast live oak, wrapped in aluminum foil with a few holes poked through, on your gas grill.
The classic rub for California barbecue is salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Most of the best local BBQ joints use 25% salt and an even split of black pepper and garlic. You can spice it up with some dried chili powder, smoke it up with some paprika, or twang it up with some dried mustard.
Grill your tri tip for about 30 to 40 minutes over direct heat until it’s charred on the outside and a nice, pink medium rare on the inside. You’re aiming for a little tenderness and a little chewiness. The meat is the focus here, so it’s traditionally not overpowered with marinades or sauces. It’s most often served with salsa cruda — a nice, simple salsa made of chopped tomato, minced fresh garlic, green onion, a tad of purple onion, a jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and a dash of lime juice.
For the ultimate traditional California style barbecue, serve your tri tip with a side of pinquito beans (or pinto beans if you can’t find pinquito at a local market).
And Now, the Decor
It wouldn’t be the Best Home 4th of July BBQ without some red, white, and blue. But there are more ways to do this than sticking a few cheezy plastic flags around the yard. Here are some California-Style options to the Star Spangled Banner:
- Our clients enjoy the convenience of a smartphone app that controls their lighting for their pool and spa. Selecting the USA button creates a virtual firework show in the backyard. Colors cycle through the red, white, and blue, and you can even control the speed of the show, as well as how bright and how dim it is. See it in action here!
- Embellish your landscaping with red, white, and blue flowers! These don’t have to be replaced later. Many perennials will come back year after year, delivering the perfect pop of patriotism at just the right time of year. And, these colors work seamlessly into landscaping from spring through fall.
- Pool bubblers in patriotic colors are the perfect option if your 4th of July party lasts into the evening hours.
You’re Going to Grill WHERE?!?!
We see you. We see that 12-year-old grill with the rust and the missing lid handle. America may be 245 years old, but your outdoor kitchen shouldn’t look like it crossed the Delaware with Washington. Use this book to plan your dream outdoor kitchen, and call The Green Scene to make sure that by the time the good ol’ U S of A turns 246, your outdoor kitchen is as bright as the Star Spangled Banner.
An Outdoor Kitchen Fit for the Presidents
The Green Scene Landscaping & Swimming Pools can outfit your backyard with an outdoor kitchen fit for the White House. From ceramic grills that do everything from grill to smoke to bake to broil to countertops galore for all that prep work and serving space — we do it all. We can also make your outdoor grilling more convenient with handy storage, refrigeration, sinks, and more. Add a wet bar for an outdoor kitchen so equipped your indoor kitchen will be green with envy.
Red, white, and blue outdoor kitchens? Yeah, we do that! Check out what we’ve done for other California homeowners and give us a call. Beginning your new outdoor kitchen and next BBQ at home is just a planning session away.
