Preparing for winter!

OK it is the end of summer and some of us put away the grill until late spring. Here are some tips you can do to save yourself some costly replacements by doing a few things before putting it away.

55 Gallon drum smoker

I was over at the Instructables website and seen this interesting way to make a smoker out of a 55 gallon drum. I have had this on my mind for a while and I might have to try it out. If I do I will post how I did it in comparison to this guy..


Making of a Drum Smoker - More DIY How To Projects

Tri-Tip and Eggplant

Tri-Tip definitely one of my most favorite type of meats and it is one that is a simple fix. Simplicity rules this game in creating a delicious grilled meat. Cook it in roast form although you can pull it off in steak form but you get more flavor and texture ranges from a roast. the crispy salty outside layer to the soft, pink and juicy middle Oh and lets not for get about the end pieces for people that like there piece a little more done... Can you say YUM!!! OK wipe the drool off your keyboard I know I have to. I'll post the very basic but very delicious recipe of what I did at the end.

Grill Brush

Have you ever given the thought of your grill brush. Probably not I would say because it just become normal to most people to buy a new one every spring and maybe another in mid summer. Have you ever been annoyed by this because I am. The only reason I was thinking about is only because a buddy of mine bought me a grill set because the store he works for was clearancing them out and he could get them for about $5 a set with his employees discount. In this set was a grill brush the kind with brass bristles, you know the kind that gets all bent out if shape after the first use. Bristles fall out every time you use it, oh ya you know the kind, it's kind of annoying huh! I looked at another grill brush that I bought about two and a half years ago and noticed it has steel bristles and is in perfect shape. I also noticed that it scrapes the grill a hell of alot better than that Brass one that looks pretty. So my advice to you would be especially if your a thrifty shopper buy the brush that will last you some time even if it costs a dollar more than the brass one next to it because you'll keep it for years instead of a couple of months.

Eggplant

My neighbor came to me this morning offering interesting delectables from his garden that he didn't have time to cook. He came along with some nice purple Eggplant, this is something I do not have a lot of experience with. The fact is I have only attempted cooking this bad once and I didn't pull it off successfully it came out a little chewy and lack of flavor but that was when I was less experienced in the grilling art. My neighbor suggest just simply cut it in half and use olive oil, salt and pepper then grill. So if anyone has any suggestions for a main course for this meal that goes well with Eggplant I am open bring it let's see what we can get! I am going to research a little more about this eggplant and see if we can succeed. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts..

You wouldn't boil Bacon would ya!

This guy cracks me up, it is pure southern hospitality here as he gives you some tips on BBQ etiquette. Watch the video and enjoy!

Spicy Fish Tacos

I've been thinking about these fish tacos all day and from the response of my family and the neighbor they seem to have been better than expected. Can't complain about that if I did I would be a fool. The fish was marinated in oranges and then topped with my spicy chili rub and then finished off with an orange glaze. I also did some shrimp that was marinated in lemon and lime and grilled. Not fair I'm getting hungry again so I guess I should start so I don't get up an fix another taco...

Tonights delicacies

Man this is great sitting outside in this great Pacific Northwest summer weather watching the kids drinking iced tea. Can this get any better! Tonight is fish taco night so I started thinking what i could do to them. I've been on a real citrus kick lately but since it is summer I'm taking advantage of the lower prices on citrus fruits and using them in my recipes. On tonight menu it will be Spicy Orange Tilapia on a cedar plank over coals with Mexican coleslaw and lime sour cream. Can't wait getting hungry just thinking about this. I'll post some pics and some details of what I did. See ya tonight.....

POK ribs

I had this idea for ribs after having a South American dish called POK CHU this is very delicious and I thought would be great as ribs. I would do this with baby back ribs since they are naturally the most tender ribs.

The Beginning

Ok so here I am this maybe rough the first few times I start this out, but hey this could be fun. I am going to blog about Barbecuing, Smoking, Grilling and a few beer reviews here and there. From past and present experiences of cooking for people I get great comments ie. the guys from boys camp for those who don't know what that is we'll get into that later as I do this blog because I get alot of great ideas from this event and will be major content in the spring.

Here is my goal, I want to provide people with some insight on how to achieve that perfect or at least enough that your guest are willing to come back and enjoy your flavorful bounty. I will give tips and tricks on how to prepare items and different items you'll wnat to setup your pantry for the type of cooking you want to create. this is where supply and demand comes in because some people aren't interested in creating that perfect rub or sauce they'd prefer to buy it and achieve the same thing with less preparation. That is ok some people want the taste without all the prep work to get there. So if I can help you out sweet more power to you I'm glad to help.

To all the people that have enjoyed good BBQ from myself this will help you out on creating your own spectacular food at home. If you haven't well read and learn and keep the drool off your keyboard.

Any ideas of what you'd like to see I'll put it in my list of items to do, just respond to the current posts.


Shanks