The Culinary Thread (edit - also acceptable: pocket knives and flashlights - not acceptable: canopies and mathematics)

[JustAnotherSquid]

Nice smoker!

Thanks! It's no Big Green Egg but it does smoke a pretty decent steak.

 

[bmart]

That's where the salmon will go...

 

[boike333]

Thanks! It's no Big Green Egg but it does smoke a pretty decent steak.

You smoke your steak? What temp?

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

You smoke your steak? What temp?

I'll pull them somewhere around 110 (depending on timing) and then sear them to about 125. Then let them rest up to mid-rare. Pellet grills give a pretty mild smoke flavor relative to other types of smokers (in my experience anyway) so the steaks come out with a very pleasant and subtle smoke flavor.

 

[boike333]

I like this JAS! Your impressing me! This is also known as the reverse sear. We should talk in depth about smoking things. I am back and forth about how I feel about pellet smokers. BTW I have received word from above that we WILL be buying a new grill! Haha! I’ve been pondering pellet smokers but don’t know if the purist in me can do it.

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

On the plus side, pellet grills are cheap, easy and versatile. They are essentially a wood-fired oven. But I've never been able to match the amazing flavors you get from a Big Green Egg. I do love my pellet grill though and have had it for six years now.

Some day, when we either move or re-do our kitchen and add a covered porch off of it I'll buy one of those Eggs.

Early congratulations on your new grill! Gonna get a Weber or something even more upscale?

 

[boike333]

Probably a Weber. They have the best reviews and have owned in the last. I have to have a side burner for the charcoal chimney. Also want smoking capabilities with wood/charcoal.

Yea, we have to replace our decks too. Not gonna be cheap!

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

I have to have a side burner for the charcoal chimney.

Ahhh that is genius!!! I'm always looking for paper to stuff in my chimney and it's a PITA. I love this idea!

 

[RocketDan]

Um, so when are you having me over for steaks?

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

Um, so when are you having me over for steaks?

Give us a heads-up next time you're going to be in Charlotte and we'll plan a shindig! I'm sure everyone here would love to see you!

 

[boike333]

So you can also buy a cheap single burner propane burner and use it to light the chimney. It’s so much easier and way faster and waiting for them to get hot.

 

[boike333]

Give us a heads-up next time you're going to be in Charlotte and we'll plan a shindig! I'm sure everyone here would love to see you!

Let me know!

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

Sorry cow I got nothin'.

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

KK is out of town tonight so I get to eat my all-time favorite meal: cheese, crackers, ham, and hummus. And wine! It's a $60 bachelor meal!

Smoked paprika elevates hummus to a whole new level IMO. Hummus is something I usually make myself but eh, cooking is only fun when you're doing it for other people. Plus, Boar's Head hummus isn't bad!

 

[RocketDan]

That’s not a meal. That’s a snack

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

That’s not a meal. That’s a snack

Fair enough! I forgot to mention that I started with a salad. Does that help?

 

[boike333]

KK is out of town tonight so I get to eat my all-time favorite meal: cheese, crackers, ham, and hummus. And wine! It's a $60 bachelor meal!

Smoked paprika elevates hummus to a whole new level IMO. Hummus is something I usually make myself but eh, cooking is only fun when you're doing it for other people. Plus, Boar's Head hummus isn't bad!

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$50 bottle of wine and 10 in the other stuff? Good call. Next time skip the food and get more wine!

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

Next time skip the food and get more wine!

I should have! The ham was a miss and the hummus was a miss. And that was $16 right there!

The cheese was fantastic though.

 

[boike333]

I should have! The ham was a miss and the hummus was a miss. And that was $16 right there!

The cheese was fantastic though.

Yea, bought hummus is not my fave. Make your own or buy from Yafo or Kebab Je or the like!

 

[JustAnotherSquid]

Yea, bought hummus is not my fave. Make your own or buy from Yafo or Kebab Je or the like!

That's good advice Chef!

Now I gotta figure out what to eat tonight. I'm thinking Chinese take-out because it's Chinese take-out but sadly we live in a ghetto and all the Chinese places around here suck ass.