Smokin'
For years, Greg has been bugging me to let him get a smoker. He's had numerous barbecue grills, from low-rent jobbies to ultra modern and ultra expensive. Most have lived on the fringes, coming out only on special occasions like days when we lost the house during a hurricane. We had no choice but to cook outside.
I relented on the smoker when we found a particularly good price on one that looked heavy enough to withstand a zombie attack.
Let me say upfront that I'm not a big fan of smoked meats. To me, it was always heavy on the smoke which clouded the flavor of the meat, but Greg changed my mind.
So far, he's smoked chickens and a brisket.
Best. Food. Ever.
I wish this blog had smell-o-vision so I could prove it.
The chicken was juicy and so flavorful that I ate more than my fair share. The brisket, by far my least favorite meat (as meats go), was absolutely delicious in sandwiches. I was hooked.
This year we will be smoking our first turkey.
I was wrong about smoked foods. (Yes, Greg. I said I was wrong. Don't get a big head over it.)
Done right, smoking the food imparts a unique flavor and is so juicy it melts in your mouth.
Have you ever eaten smoked food right out of a smoker? Was that your reaction too?
I relented on the smoker when we found a particularly good price on one that looked heavy enough to withstand a zombie attack.
Let me say upfront that I'm not a big fan of smoked meats. To me, it was always heavy on the smoke which clouded the flavor of the meat, but Greg changed my mind.
So far, he's smoked chickens and a brisket.
The juice is from the marinade he used. |
I wish this blog had smell-o-vision so I could prove it.
The chicken was juicy and so flavorful that I ate more than my fair share. The brisket, by far my least favorite meat (as meats go), was absolutely delicious in sandwiches. I was hooked.
This year we will be smoking our first turkey.
I was wrong about smoked foods. (Yes, Greg. I said I was wrong. Don't get a big head over it.)
Done right, smoking the food imparts a unique flavor and is so juicy it melts in your mouth.
In front of the chicken are two baked potatoes wrapped in bacon. |
Have you ever eaten smoked food right out of a smoker? Was that your reaction too?
Comments
So yeah, I like smoked meats :-)
We used our own oak and mesquite to cook the meat and it gave it a flavor that artificial smoke flavoring can't duplicate.
And now I'm hungry. =op
Used it a dozen times.
Then it sat for ten years and rusted, until I finally put it on the curb for an optimistic neighbor to resuscitate it.
It was gone in 30 minutes. I wonder how many more pork loins it smoked to perfection after.
I never tried smoke meats before in a restaurant, so I had no true comparison to base an opinion on. I wasn't really impressed, but that might be the fact that they were just trying it out and trying to get it right.
Definitely more labor intensive than chucking it in the oven.
I love smoked brisket, though. If you spy someone lingering in the bushes next time you make it, that's me.
Greg used a meat thermometer to check for doneness and that seems to help in knowing when to pull them out.
Who gets to be called 'old smokey' you or Greg?
Maria now I am hungry for smoked brisket darn it!
Re: pork hash
I've never tried it, but I am putting it on my list! I love corned beef hash. I'm surprised I never thought of doing it with pork.
Thanks, Shelley!
Maria, just looking at your post made me hungry - and it's only breakfast time!
Dang, now I'm hungry.
It's a real art to cook food. Smoking and grilling has got to be the hardest of all.
So far I've not been disappointed. At this rate I'll be 300 pounds by next year. :)