Posted By Russ Emerson on May 9, 2004 at 3:34 pm
Yet another meme makes the rounds, via Dodd Harris.
While some of the listed books I haven’t read are on my to-read-eventually list, many are on my avoid-like-the-plague list. Some are on my never-heard-of-it-or-maybe-I-did-I-just-don’t-care-to-make-the-mental-effort-to-remember-them list.
Posted By Russ Emerson on May 7, 2004 at 10:26 pm
Steve H. of Hog on Ice and Val Prieto of Babalu Blog are having a smoke-off. Steve will be smoking a duck; I think Val is doing a chicken.
I’m torn as to who I should throw my support to. I mean, I have conversed with Steve on several occasions, whereas I’ve never done so with Val. So Steve gets points for acquaintanceship.
But Steve fallaciously insists his electric smoker will outperform Val’s charcoal smoker. Oh, sure, the finished products of the two smokers will likely be nearly indistinguishable, taste-wise. Steve, however, omits the “soul factor” from his calulations.
Smoking is more than just putting a hunk of meat into a warm smoke-filled enclosure until it reaches the peak of tenderness and tastiness. Smoking is a labor of love – tending the fire, keeping the temperature on the sweet-spot, adding the smoke-producing wood chunks. It demands periodic attention throughout the day, and when you’ve finished, you have a work of art that the people you’re feeding know is the result of your expert ministrations.
It shows them that you care enough to smoke the very best.
</sentimentality>
Plus, of course, during the intervals between smoker-tending sessions you can drink beer. Make sure you have at least a twelve-pack handy.
If you’re using an electric smoker, you might as well just oven-roast the meat and add Liquid Smoke when you’re done.
Sorry, Steve – I have to go with Val on this one.