Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Well, Wicked Weather Stirkes Again

Over the Memorial Day weekend, our house got struck by lightning. It fried our TV, Computer, Well, and Phone lines. I was hoping to get some more pics and cooks up, but the weather kinda of messed that up. Without a computer at home for a while, i will try and update my blog from work, time permitting. Other wise, once the new computer arrives for the house, i will get back on track. Thank you for your patience!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Well, work was slow today......................

I am one of the lucky few able to work at home when i want too. Things were slow in the office today, so a quick stop by the local butcher got me these, fresh off of a local hog. The WSM needs so little tending, i can actually get some work done too. If i must...........



Rubbed them with my homemade rib rub




Sitting on the cooker, waiting to go on the heat





After about 5.5 hours, they are done. I foiled the smaller rack, because the wife likes fall off the bone, and i went with the 3-2-1 method. The larger rack was left alone, and mopped with Apple Juice and Jack Daniels mixed with some rub.




Half of the larger rack was glazed with a mix of Ken Davis BBQ sauce, Jack Daniels, Cayenne Pepper, and White Pepper.


Saturday, May 17, 2008

Tonights Cook.........

I am going to be BBQ-in a 15 pound Chuck roast. It should take about 15 hours. Of course being BBQ, anywhere from 12 to 20 hours would not surprise me too much. I will be adding pics as the evening progresses. Right now, I am waiting for a little storm to pass. This is the second one in an hour, and the first one took down a few trees, and one of those trees landed on the power line going to my house. This all happened literally the moment I put a steak on the Weber for dinner. While I was holding the Weber down, trees were falling. Power stayed on, and the power company was here in less then an hour to fix everything. Of course, the weather forecast mentioned NOTHING about 80 mile an hour winds, or storms of any kind. Welcome to weather in the Midwest.

















Here it is rubbed after sitting in the fridge for a few hours, just before it goes on the Q.






























At 170 degrees meat temp, I put it in a large roasting pan, and foiled the top. I cranked up the cooker temp to 275 and let it go for about 3.5 more hours to 195. I was planning on taking it to 205, but it was clear when i checked it last that she was ready to fall apart.
















It was going to be pulled at a different location, but I pulled a part off to show the smoke ring.



Thursday, May 15, 2008

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Today's song of the day is Trouble in Mind, by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I chose Sister Rosetta for a couple of reasons tonight. To start with, she is a blues pioneer. She was doing music ahead of her time. She was one of the first successful gospel singers to record albums. She also added a blues\rock element that would not find widespread success until the R&B and Rock and Roll of the late 50's. But she was doing it in the 30's.


I also notice that "Old Time" music us attaining greater success today, with out the understanding of those doing it when it was NEW music. A lot of people are only familiar with newer artists doing that kinda of music. Allison Krauss, Gillian Welch, and Old Crow Medicine Show are enjoying national attention. And deservedly so! There are many AMAZING artists still playing roots music in the MTV age. But ask those fans about the artists who influenced the likes of Old Crow and Mrs. Krauss, and they draw a blank. Doc Watson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Etta Baker, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe sometimes get left to obscurity.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe crosses from Gospel, to Folk, to Blues, and does it better then most. Its well worth your time to check her out!!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Tonights Cook, Habanero Mango Wings

Took the wings and seasoned with Cayenne pepper, Granulated Garlic, and black pepper.













On the cooker with some Hickory wood.













Turned them the first time













This is the second turn













Finally done













With the sauce.














Half of them are with Mango Hananero sauce, and the other half is a Spice Garlic sauce. Skin was nice and crisp, with a nice hickory wood flavor. They cooked about 400 degrees (its not low and slow with chicken) for about an hour. I used the skewers so i could keep the wing halves together, and keep the wing open to heat. It helps to keep them from falling through the grate, and you only have to turn half as many this way.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Song of the Day

Starting today, i will be adding a Song of the Day to the free playlist at the bottom of the page. Todays song of the day is Heavenly Houseboat Blues, by Townes Van Zandt. Townes Van Zandt was one of the greatest American Songwriters. Because he never got much airplay on the radio and TV, he is often overlooked. Even though he wrote many of America's Classics, Like Pancho and Lefty, made famous by Willie and Waylon, he died young without getting the acclaim some of his contemporaries did. The song of the day for Wednesday, May 14 is a classic from Townes Van Zandt.

Singer-songwriters with a Twist!

On the music player below, i have some of my favorite American singer-songwriters, With a twist. While every Artist on the play list is a great American songwriter, not everyone is doing their own songs. If you think you know which artists are doing other artists songs, take your guess in the comments section.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Just back from the local Butcher Shop

Lots of people these days get their meat from the super market chain, or at walmart. I still prefer my local Butcher for all my meat needs. It may be more expensive, but i know i will get quality meat, and i know it was raised on local farms, with no hormones. And its just so dang easy. I walked in and spoke with the owner, and ordered 3 12-15 pound chuck roasts for pulled beef, and 2 15 pound Butts for pulled pork. They know exactly how i like them trimmed, and they are exactly the size and weight i need to maximize my BBQ space. Sure, for cooking for 150 people like i am doing later this month, i would save some money at wally world. But this way i KNOW that the day before the big cook, i will have exactly the meat i need, and it will be thawed and ready to go. To me, that piece of mind, plus the added quality of the meat, more then makes up for the added cost.

~Mooney

Saturday, May 10, 2008

And for something completly different

Now, for something completely different, some Americana!! I have a nice mix of Gillian Welch, Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, South Austin Jug Band, and the Hackensaw Boys. Might be time to reheat some of that pulled pork from lunch................

The essence of BBQ, Beer, and Blues

Today we had a surprise party for a family members 60th Bday. I cooked up 23 pounds of pork butt over night, and brought it for lunch. Had a heck of feast. Now, a few hours later, i am sitting here drinking DogFish Head 60 Minutes IPA, while Big Mama Thornton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Jimmy Reed howl on the box. But hell, there are no rules here. The Music need not be the Blues, it just needs to be good. I spend most of the time drinking Busch light, not Dogfish Head. and BBQ is just another form of gourmet cooking. Its just different then French and Italian, but no less gourmet. Just don't ask a seasoned pit master to admit it. I am not sure what i am doing with this blog, but i KNOW i am not the only one to love food, tunes, and drink. Or, BBQ, Beer, and the Blues!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Welcome to BBQ B and B

A new blog devoted to the discussion of all things Music, Beer, and of course, great BBQ!! Over the next few weeks, i hope to everything up and running. Thanks for stopping!