Fernando and I started our BBQ team five years ago Pappy joined us two years ago. Here is Pappy and I with a little over half of our awards. We have 65 awards in five years they include Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion. and top 10 finishes.
Posts Tagged With: BBQ
BBQ Awards
Categories: BBQ, Competition, Texas Style Cuisine
Tags: BBQ, competition, Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, Top 10
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Coopers BBQ Mason Texas
We had a quick stop at Coopers yesterday on the way from Molly and Danny’s wedding I did enjoy the Q. The brisket was good but probably better a little earlier in the day, the turkey and goat sausage were both fantastic. The Q is well worth your stop and the guys serving us were real nice great service. I will stop in again.
Categories: BBQ, Entrees, Texas Style Cuisine
Tags: BBQ, Copper's BBQ, goat sausage Mason, turkey
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Pre Thanksgiving BBQ Run
Waiting in line at
Franklin BBQ
Wow what a day last Wednesday. My son John and I got up at 5:00AM and Headed to Austin to see what all the hoopla was about at Franklin BBQ. We arrived at Franklin’s just before 8:00AM. There was already a nice sized line forming outside the restaurant. John and I parked and found our place in line. We figured there were about 50-60 people ahead of us. We were having a good time in line visiting with the people in line around us, one young couple was in from LA and wanted to try some great Texas BBQ. Around 9:00 one of the employees came by to let us know that they were already sold out of pulled pork and ribs. Now remember they do not open until 11:00, but they were taking orders. He then returned to taking orders. Now it is about 9:30 he is nearing us for our order. We are still feeling good about getting to try some of this much talked about brisket. At 9:35 he is taking the order of the people in front of us in line. One man orders a whole brisket and the other orders 1/2 brisket, the young man looks at us and says sorry we are sold out. Yes we drove for over two hours sat in line over an hour and a half and they sold out to the people in front of us. Well our search for BBQ was not over, we had alternate plans. We are now heading a few blocks south to La Barbeque, who’s pitmaster used to work for Franklin’s. Upon approaching La Barbeque we noticed no line and no smoke coming from the pits, they had closed for the holiday and would not be open until Friday. Well now we are hung on the horns of a dilemma. John searches the net for John Mueller Meat Co. and I search for Micklethwait Craft Meats. Mueller’s is closed on Wednesdays so our choice was easy we were headed to Micklewait’s. Upon arriving we see people who were inline with us at Franklin’s, so we take our place behind them. Then more people arrive that had been at Franklin’s and we all have a great conversation about not getting in. After an hour wait the line starts moving, we are in the front so there is no danger of them selling out before we make it to the order window. We spent about $60 on brisket, pork shoulder, Shiner Bock Sausage and chicken, John also got some jalapeno cheese grits. We quickly received our tray of food and we returned to our picnic table that we were sharing with a very nice young couple, their six month old son and their parents in from Florida. In line one of the ladies had told us that she eats at Micklewait’s and Franklin’s both and that the brisket at Micklewaits is just as good as Franklin’s. Now the brisket was moist and tender, but I did not think it was overly flavorful. This could be because of the simple salt and pepper rub that most central Texas BBQ joints brag about. The sausage was very good and I loved the course ground texture that it had. Chicken was very good but again there was plenty of cracked black pepper, but I did enjoy it very much. The grits were tasty but maybe a little undercooked. The plate came with red onions bread and homemade pickles, which were outstanding. Now for the pork shoulder, it was out of this world, probably the best I have ever had. John and I both agreed it was fantastic. Not sure if I will wait in line again for Franklin’s, but I will return to Micklethwait Craft Meats.
Our plates at Micklethwait Craft Meats
Fun, Food and Fund Raising
Steven Raichlen and I at the Showcase Dinner.
The SARA, San Antonio Restaurant Association, Showcase Dinner was a huge success once again this year. This years guest chef was Steven Raichlen and he helped to make the evening at the historic Pearl Stables just north of the down town, fantastic. The evening started with drinks and hors d’oeuvre that were prepared by Chef Johnny Hernandez and True Flavors Catering. Chef Hernandez and his people did an excellent job preparing the foods that Mr. Raichlen had chosen for the evening. Upon arriving I met my friend Ruben Sepulveda and his lovely wife Cheryl, who had graciously invited my wife and I to be their guest. My first tasting was Steve’s Buffla-Q Shrimp, I could have just continued with them and been so happy. Next I tried some Finger Burner Lamb Chops and then some Bacon-Grilled Dates, along with some Gentleman Jack to wash them down.
The meal started with a Grilled Caesar Salad, and we were able to enjoy it while Steven was on stage showing us how to make the shrimp hors d’oeuvres and each of the other courses as we enjoyed them. The main course was a grilled New York Strip with Jack Daniels/Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce and Hell Fire Peppers, it was served with a Smoked Stuffed Potato, Pimenton Grilled Asparagus and a Oaxacan Grilled Corn Flan. The dessert was an excellent Grilled Pound Cake with Fresh Berry Salsa and Tequila Whipped Cream.
I had a chance to meet Mr. Raichlen during the meal and again the next day at the CIA. It was a true pleasure, he was a very nice man and was sincerely seeing that you enjoyed your evening and his meal. I was able to pick up an autographed copy of his new book BBQ Planet to go along with his other books that are in my library of cookbooks.
Thanks Mr. Raichlen for a wonderful evening and to SARA for the hard work they put into this scholarship fund-raising event for the culinary students of San Antonio.
Categories: Appetizers, BBQ, Dessert, Entrees, Grilling, Hors d'Oeuvres, Side Dishes, Texas Style Cuisine
Tags: BBQ, bbq sauce, caesar salad, Chef Johnny Hernandez, Don Pedros, flan, fruit salsa, grilled, grilled asparagus, hell fire peppers, hors d'oeuvres, Jack Daniels, lamb, new york strip, San Antonio Reastaurant Assosiation, SARA, shrimp, Steven Raichlen, tequila, True Flavors Catering
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Smitty’s BBQ Brownwood Texas
What a great treat to stop into Smitty’s BBQ in Brownwood Texas and find Smitty himself there still cooking the Q. While spending my college time at HPU Smitty’s was an institution for us college kids. I first met Smitty lifting weights at Young’s World a gym owned by world champion power lifter Doug Young. Smitty was always nice to us young guys and always inviting us down to his BBQ restaurant for some good eating. So for the next four years we did just that. Now fast forward 30 years and I find myself having a daughter going to HPU. Now you know I had BBQ in my mind when we hit town for parents weekend. We hit town early and took Hailey to. Doctors appointment she had then headed to Smitty’s for lunch. Let me tell you I was excited to see Smitty sitting behind the counter. His daughter was running the counter and taking orders and his son was in the back running the pit. The Q was great like it always had been, moist, tender and tasteful. As I visited with Smitty he looks at me and says “trying to figure out how old I am aren’t you” I grinned and said yes sir I am “85 he says”. Wow 85 years young still in uniform and running the business he started in 1972. To all alumni make sure you stop in while passing through town and to all the new students make sure you drop in for some of the best BBQ you will have a chance to eat. Now make sure you say hi to Smitty and his family.
Categories: BBQ, Entrees, Texas Style Cuisine, Uncategorized
Tags: barbecue. Barbeque, BBQ, beef, brisket, Brownwood, Howard Payne University, HPU, ribs, sauce, Smitty's BBQ
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BBQ Spaghetti?
My mad dash to Tennessee was short one item, spaghetti.
I had always heard about it and wanted to try it while in Memphis, the the opportunity to try it never arose. So the other night I decided to give it a try. My wife thought I had lost my mind, but I talked her into trying it. Of course I had to promise to fix her something else if she did not like it, shock she was certain she would not. Well I must say she was wrong, it was a huge hit. The sauce was a deep red savory sensation that I used the left over pork butt that I smoked last weekend. I served it over some al dente spaghetti noodles , with a side salad. This is a recipe that will be used again and I hope y’all enjoy it.
BBQ Spaghetti
2 lbs Spaghetti noodles cooked al dente
1/2 stick Butter
1 Onion diced
2 Garlic cloves minced
1 12oz can Petite dice tomatoes
1 6oz can Tomato paste
1 4oz can Tomato sauce
1 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (I used my chipotle sauce)
1/2 cup Water
2 tsp Basil
2 tsp Oregano
1 1/2 tsp Salt
3 cups Pulled pork (left over from the weekend)
Sautéed onions in the butter
Add garlic the last minute of sautéing
Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes
Stir in tomato paste
Add the seasonings
Add the BBQ sauce and water
Bring to a simmer
Add pulled pork and return to a simmer
Spoon the sauce over spaghetti and top with cheese if desired
Brisket Chile
A nice bowl of red!
I had to throw a lunch together today for some of the staff. I decided to make ranchero beans, mexican rice, cornbread and some Chile. I had to extend the hamburger meat I had so I pulled out some chopped brisket that I had been saving. I browned the burger and sautéed the onions, while doing that I chopped up the brisket into small pieces and heated it to render some of the fat. I used 5lbs of hamburger and3 lbs of brisket. The Chile came out excellent. The smokey flavor that the brisket brought to the Chile really added to the chili.
BBQ Chili
- 5lbs Ground Beef
- 3lbs Chopped Brisket
- 2 Onions, chopped
- 3 28oz cans Diced Tomatoes
- 1 cup Chili Powder
- 1/4 cup Salt
- 1/4 cup Pepper
- 1 tbsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/4 cup Garlic Powder
- 2 tbsp Cumin
- 1 cup Corn Meal
- Brown meat and saute onions
- Add tomatoes
- Add seasonings
- Brin to a boil
- Thicken with corn meal
- Simmer for 30 minutes
Categories: BBQ, Entrees, Texas Style Cuisine, Uncategorized
Tags: BBQ, brisket, Chili
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Shrimp Skewers
I was looking for a quick meal the other night so I decided to throw together some shrimp skewers. Libby ran to the local HEB food store and pick up some 10/15 shrimp, while I was starting the fires. I put on some rice after starting the fires and washed up some zucchini squash. I had some of my Chipotle BBQ Sauce already made up and I threw together a balsamic vinaigrette. Once the wife got back with the shrimp I started peeling and deveining the shrimp. I left the tails on for presentation and skewered up the shrimp. Half the shrimp were brushed with the BBQ Sauce and half were coated with the vinegrette. The fire was ready when I was finished. I had the propane grill going also so I put the squash on after coating them with some of the vinegrette, and threw on some fresh green onions. The skewers did not take long at all about 3 minutes on each side. I plated everything up by placing the shrimp skewers on a bed of rice, two wedges of squash and a nice green onion. We had a great meal in just over 30 minutes. Not a bad meal for something thrown together at the last-minute.
Categories: Appetizers, BBQ, Grilling, Hors d'Oeuvres, Texas Style Cuisine
Tags: BBQ, chipotle, grilled, shrimp, shrimp skewers, skewer
3 Comments
Hello
Thanks for dropping in. I love cooking and love sharing with friends. Not only the food but also the adventure of preparing and serving it. My favorite style of cooking is what I call Texican. It is a combination of cooking styles found in and around south Texas. It’s not really Mexican and not really South Western it is the cuisine of Texas, so I call it Texican. I may cook it in the kitchen, over an open fire, in the BBQ pit or in a dutch oven. I hope you enjoy following me on my trip around the foods of our great state. Texican is my favorite style to cook, but my favorite dish is spaghetti, my favorite food group is seafood and I never pass up a nice pot of chicken and dumplings, rolled out not dropped dumplings. So as you can see this adventure will be as diverse as the great state I have the privilege of living in.
Texas Style Cuisine 