Ep 9. Deen Family BBQ

In Season 7, Episode 9 of Paula's Best Dishes, Paula is joined by her family for a backyard barbecue feast. The episode, titled "Deen Family BBQ," features a mouthwatering spread of classic Southern barbecue dishes, prepared with traditional techniques and the occasional twist of Paula's own creation.

Paula starts the episode by whipping up a signature cocktail to kick off the festivities. She mixes up a batch of refreshing watermelon mojitos, featuring sweet, juicy chunks of fresh watermelon, sparkling club soda, and plenty of fresh mint leaves. As the cocktail glasses make their way around the family circle, Paula gets to work on the main event: the barbecue.

First up on the menu is Paula's classic BBQ chicken, featuring tender, smoky chicken pieces slowly cooked over an open flame until they're moist and flavorful. Paula takes care to baste the chicken with a tangy barbecue sauce, made with a blend of ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and a secret blend of spices. She also shares her tips for achieving perfect grill marks and achieving the ideal level of doneness.

Next, it's time for the ribs. Paula seasons a rack of baby back ribs with her signature spice blend, featuring paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and other flavorful spices. She then slow-cooks them over low heat until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. She tops them off with a generous slathering of her homemade barbecue sauce, made with a touch of spicy mustard and plenty of molasses for a rich, complex flavor.

For a vegetarian option, Paula serves up some smoky grilled portobello mushrooms, marinated in a zesty garlic and herb dressing and grilled until they're tender and juicy. The mushrooms are served alongside colorful summer veggies, including fresh corn on the cob and crispy grilled zucchini and squash.

Of course, no barbecue feast would be complete without some tasty sides, and Paula doesn't disappoint. She whips up a batch of classic Southern-style baked beans, loaded with bacon, onions, and plenty of sweet and savory barbecue sauce. She also serves up some creamy, tangy coleslaw, made with crunchy cabbage, carrots, and a rich and flavorful dressing.

For dessert, Paula presents a decadent grilled peach cobbler, made with fresh ripe peaches that have been tossed in a sweet brown sugar and butter mixture and grilled until tender and lightly charred. The peaches are then combined with a buttery, crumbly topping made with oats, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, it's the perfect summer dessert.

Throughout the episode, Paula is joined by her family members, who help her prepare and sample each dish. They share stories and memories about previous family barbecues, and reflect on the importance of keeping family traditions alive. It's a heartwarming and delicious episode that celebrates the joys of family, food, and fellowship.