I Saw The Light: Peace, Love and Barbecue

A recent post by my friend, Robert, over at WhiteTrashBBQ made me grab my copy of Mike Mill's and Amy Mills-Tunnicliffe's astoundingly wonderful book, Peace, Love and Barbecue.

Unfortunately, Robert's fish based on the recipe from the book went awry somewhere, but I wanted to stop and look at it again to remember why I loved it so much.

I realized that it is more than the recipes, which are careful, generous and user-friendly. It's also not the stories of real life barbecue artisans and legends, their triumphs and failures, and the b.s. that makes the 'que game fun on top of everything else it offers.

The thing that I love most is that the book delivers on the promise that the title offers. It truly is filled with peace, love and barbecue. From the opening sections of the book, where the story of how bbq filled the Mills family's life and travels, to Mike Mill's introduction to the business of barbecue, Peace, Love and Barbecue offers an open hand to encourage you to begin on the road of barbecue, to share with your friends and family, and most of all, to have fun.

Mike signed my copy in June, 2005-- "To Matt, Thanks for the support. Hope you enjoy. Barbecue is all about friends, family and love." Couldn't have said it better myself.

Basic Dry Rub
Peace, Love and Barbecue
Rodale Books

3 Tbsp paprika
1 Tbsp ground black pepper
2 teaspoons chili pwd
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp celery seed, bruised
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp mustard pwd

Mix all ingredients and store in a tightly covered container.

Makes about 1/3 cup

I posted a video from the BBQ Pilgrim about Mike Mills right here