29 thoughts on “August 26, 2012: Make Good Choices”

  2. i got back from the cheaptoybrewpub yesterday, and it was awesome. the amber cream was great, the chocolate stout on tap was awesome, and the food and sammiches the kitchen whipped up were super tasty. oh, and the black IPA was still amazing. good trip. i'd recommend stopping by sometime.

    1. I've been meaning to tout the cheapbrews I was lucky enough to sample. I don't usually like IPAs, but the Black IPA was pretty damn good.

    2. Lets also not forget the skills famished Pete showed in beanbags.

      Glad you guys had a good time. I tell you what, I am exhausted from it, though. I'm not sure I was quite prepared for a first birthday party when my wife first told me she was pregnant.

  3. I took the SMOKENATOR 1000 (guitar riff!) out for it's maiden voyage yesterday.

    I made a couple of slabs of baby backs. I would call it a successful learning experience. I had a little trouble maintaining temp, I think because of a lack of fuel. Everything I had read said that there should be sufficient fuel for a 6-hour cook, but I started running out after 3. i think the problem was I was using natural lump charcoal and they recommend briquettes - I imagine because they fit better in the SMOKENATOR 1000 (guitar riff!) and burn at a more reliable rate.

    So because I got started a little late and had trouble with the temp I had to pull them earlier than I would have wanted to. Regardless, they were delicious. I put one of the slabs in the oven at 330 for another hour or so and it will make some good leftovers. I also though a piece of tilapia on there for my wife - about 30 minutes towards the end - and she liked it a lot. My wife steamed a couple of artichokes and made an amazing garlic ailoli for dipping - yum.

    I think this thing will work out nicely as soon as I figure out what I'm doing. Call this a provisional recommendation for the SMOKENATOR 1000 (guitar riff!!).

    2. I really, really want to get myself a smoker. brotherS got one last year and has been taunting me about it.

      My Weber does a very good job smoking meats, but a dedicated smoker would kick it up a notch or three.

      strat, did you really mean you put the other rack in the oven at 330 for an hour? That sounds pretty hot. Was it wrapped in foil? If not, did the ribs get dry?

      I have had good luck with wrapping ribs in heavy duty foil for the last hour or so after adding a pat or two of butter. Keeps 'em nicely moist while they finish to fall-apart tender. Plus, you know, butter!

      1. 300 I meant, and yes it was loosely tented. I nibbled on a burnt end when I was putting them away and it was real nice - good crust, moist inside.

    2. One of Sheenie's sister's best friends (he was at the St. Patty's party) has been in a medically induced coma since Thursday night with Legionnaire's disease. This. is. not. good.

      1. Oy. The mood here is strange. Best to your sister in law's friend. I can't imagine the fear their family is experiencing.

        1. Oy. Sorry to hear that, DPWY. My best to you, sheenie, and, most importantly, her friend. Also, meat family and sheenie family, stay safe.

          1. Your man is supposed to get here about the same time the storm is going to hit. I'm pretty sure his flight will be delayed.

              1. If the storm tracks to either side of the city things may be alright (barring a track that sends the storm into the lake, if that's the case we're all screwed). The problem will be getting all those folks into town. If I was a betting man I'd lay my money down on a cancelation.

      2. I had a friend whose Dad had that disease; he was in a coma for a month, but then recovered (about 90%). Here's hoping the same.

  7. Sleepless night here in the sactown area. Our backside neighbors had friends over. They decided to go poolside to have a loud(ish) conversation, starting at 11:50 p.m. At 12:40 I went out and politely asked them to turn it down, which they did. But their back yard is nothing but pool and concrete. EVERY word gets amplified and funneled straight into our bedroom.

    at 12:50 I closed our windows. at 1:00 a.m. I went downstairs to sleep on the couch. At 2:00 a.m., they decided to turn their yard lights on and clean up. Awesome.

    then at about 7:30 this morning, their dogs decided it was time to bark nonstop for 20 minutes.

    I like these neighbors, as they generally are quiet and considerate and friendly. But, please, people, think a little bit. When you've been drinking, you probably shouldn't go outside in the middle of the freakin' night to use what you think is your "inside voice," because it ain't. And please take your dogs inside when they start yapping early on a sunday morning.

  8. Speaking of good choices:

    I made Juicy Lucy's for lunch today. I went 50/50 with lean beef and ground turkey (keeping a little eye on the health there...). They were good, but needed something extra... I'm curious if anyone has any particular recommendations for such burgers? A particular cheese to try, or something? That seemed to be the consensus around that table - a sharp cheddar or pepper jack would work (we just used a colby... lame, right?).

    Also, after living in D.C. for 6 years, I bought myself Jose Andres' tapas cookbook. We get a ton of green beans from our CSA, so I used that book and made a fantastic dish with beans and garlic and, like 90% of the recipes in the book, ham. I love summer food.

Comments are closed.