Coca Cola Barbeque Chicken
By Joyce Edwards

Houston and Sarah are bringing the newest members of our clan to visit this Sunday. Not only are they visiting, the new babies are to be blessed. Right after church there is going to be more people in our backyard than Kenneth Copeland had at his last revival service, and Grandma even invited him!

All of the women and their daughters have been invited (summoned) by Grandma to come over and help with the preparations of the cooking. The menu they have decided on is: Coca Cola Barbequed Chicken, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Corn Casserole, and Coca Cola Chocolate Cake piled high with whipped cream. This should be interesting as some of the women in our family find it an adjustment after marrying into our clan. At least, that is what I’ve heard through the family grapevine. You know, I’ve heard if you talk to plants they thrive. Well, our family grapevine seems to grow by leaps and bounds from the conversations that go on in our kitchen!

I never knew Houston not to own up to his name. This time it was in a real big way. He and Sarah had twins the first time around. You would have thought the house was on fire the night it happened. The way my Grandpa went through the house at 3:30 in the morning banging a wooden spoon on the side of a stainless steel pot yelling for everyone to get up quick and meet in the den. When we all rushed in and were squeezed together tight as sardines in any can, Grandpa, proud as any peacock announced that the “Coca Cola Kid did it again, he’s double lucky just like always, got two for the price of one!” Dad laughed out loud and said he doubted if the price part was true. After the laughter died down everyone was beside themselves over having been surprised with twins. A boy and a girl! The first twin birth in the family for 20 years.

This celebration would be done up right. Grandpa said that it was 20 years ago since we had been blessed so, and we should celebrate double big cause it could be another 20 years before it happened again. “Yes sir ree, we will welcome little Matthew and Martha into the family in a right proper way with a real proper hoedown!” I could hear a lot of work in that statement.

Work we did! All of us women and girls gathered together to cook, clean, and plan on how to make this family hoedown a simple, but fun and memorable one. The two things we all agreed on was the Coca Cola Barbequed Chicken, and the Coca Cola Chocolate Cake. Houston lived on Coca Cola ever since we all could remember. Every time you pictured him in your mind he would have that can of Coca Cola in his hand. The family nicked named him the Coca Cola Kid. Grandma had prepared Coca Cola Barbequed Chicken and Coca Cola Chocolate Cake for him since he was 10 on almost every special occasion. Houston was Grandma’s favorite kid, although if you ask her, she doesn’t have any favorites.

Coca Cola Barbequed Chicken is simple, delicious, and brings back sweet memories. Once you try it, you’ll have a tangy sweet memory too!

Coca Cola Barbequed Chicken

2/3 stick oleo
1 small onion (diced)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 cup ketchup
1 ½ T. of your favorite yellow mustard
¼ C. brown sugar
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 can Coca Cola
1 3 lb. chicken, or two smaller ones cut up
salt and pepper to taste

Mix oleo, onion, garlic, ketchup, mustard, and Coca Cola in large heavy sauce pan. Bring to a boil and turn heat down to simmer. Simmer for about 25 minutes stirring often. Place salted and peppered chicken pieces in a heavy casserole dish. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook at 350 degrees for one hour (covered.) Turn the chicken after 30 minutes. Take the cover off the chicken for the last 20 minutes of baking time.

WARNING: This chicken always gets rave reviews, however, no one believes you when you say you made the sauce with Coca Cola!

from a collection "Tastebud Tidbits" by Joyce M. Edwards

Warning: the story may be fiction but the recipe is Real! A true southern gal writes about her experiences in the families kitchen. Experiences, that were both, hilarious, and teaching. As you read your tastebuds will stand up at attention, and you'll get a dose of healthly laughter.

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