I got a new Weber 26" mastertouch to replace my busted 18" kettle; paired with a Vortex coal-thing and an al pastor spit I rocked chicken gyros tonight.
Throwing this out there in case someone has advice …..
I got a smoker this summer and have been having a great time cooking new (large) meals. But my kids are back at college and I can’t depend on my ex. How do you find people to eat your meals?
It’s a weird situation where it’s a huge pellet grill and smoking tends to focus on large pieces of meat, but not everything freezes well. I want to go gangbusters with feasts, just when I no longer have anyone to appreciate it. Anyone know if there is such a thing as cooking clubs, or something? How do you find one or how do you break into one as a single guy?
Fwiw
kids are back from college today, ex is coming over and ex-FiL
smoked duck with orange maple glaze
chicken for those not willing to try duck
rice pilaf
arugula salad with toasted pine nuts
I plan to throw chocolate chip cookie dough in a cast iron skillet for brownies and top with ice cream
My first attempt at some beef short ribs.
They came out better than I could have hoped and I was pleasantly surprised that I managed to keep my temps sane for 9 hours.
Baby back ribs for New Years. You can see more pictures and the temperature graph (of the smoker, not the ribs, usually don't stab ribs) on the fireboard session log.
I salted the ribs the night before the smoke and rubbed them with my variation of Memphis Dust (below) right before hanging them in my 14" Napoleon.
Trimmed, pulled membrane and dry brined with kosher salt the day before.
Took ribs out of refrigerator about an hour before I wanted to put them on to get the rub(s) on them and get them closer to room temp.
Starting on underside of ribs, gave a light spray with duck fat as a binder. Applied a pretty good coating of Meat Church Honey Hog Hot. Let ribs sit about 20 minutes to let rub become wet looking.
Flipped ribs over, hit with duck fat spray as a binder again. Applied a very light coat of Honey Hog Hot, then came in with a heavier coat of Meat Church Texas Sugar rub. Finished the top side of the ribs with some more 16 mesh black pepper (Texas Sugar has pepper but I like pepper).
Camp Chef Woodwind Pro had been turned when rubs came out of refrigerator. Using Knotty Wood Almond pellets. Started at 250 F with smoke setting on 10.
After rub on top side of ribs looking wet (about 20 minutes again) put ribs into smoker. Added 5
For Dinner: Smoked brats from the local butcher, and some Costco party wings.
Garlic aroma from these brats punched me in the face when opening the fridge. Wings have been dry brining in some basic Kinder BBQ rub for a few hours.
Started brats at 225F while climbing. After about 30 minutes I’ll go wide open on vents. Once at 275F, adding the wings and going wide open. Pulling brats at 155F.
Throwing a half sweet onion and a whole poblano on the BBQ to top the brats with.