MAPLE BACON REVUE (DEES MEATS)

 The Bacon Revue is hitting the road for a traveling show called Dees Meats in Galt. Galt is not the Celtic spelling of the 'Rich Man's' disease but a small rural town located south of Sacramento California. The Mad Meat Genius received a hot tip from Caleb Sehnert about a small butcher that created magic with his sausage and cured meat products. This small bit of information led to a wonderful discovery.

You would never know about Dees unless you were guided there. The trusty GPS brought us to the front door of a small building next to a residential house. There was a fence around the house. We noticed about a half dozen St. Bernard dogs in the fenced area. These 200 pound Wooly mammoths charged the fence. It was a little intimidating until we figured out they just wanted to be petted. Once we finished greeting these beautiful guardians of Dees we entered a meat sanctuary.

Dees has the whole range of meat products. They create and smoke sausage, hams, and jerky on the premise. We purchased some of the best choice rib-eye steaks ever. Today's act is all about the bacon. Some sliced 'old fashion' and some maple bacon was procured.

We will concentrate on the Maple bacon today. The package was open and a maple aroma grasped our senses. The 1/4 slab  leaned heavily to the meaty side versus the fat. It just had this beautiful mahogany sheen from the smoke and sugars. It tasted good just by the smell and appearance. A minor obstacle of the rind was removed before cooking in our trusty black iron pans. This was some meaty bacon. We cooked it low and slow because of the sugar content. It crisped up to a very nice texture. The salt to maple sugar balance was perfect. Smoke entered into this equation to tip the rating scale to 4.5 stars out of 5 for this designer bacon. Our bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich rocked our world. Dees Meats is a destination worthy of a visit, I guarantee!

Dees Meats
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Cost: 3.85/pound
Where: 10145 Twin Cities Rd.
              Galt, Ca. 95632 209-745-1224

JALAPENO POPPERS

We were at the farmers market in Kelsyville when we saw these huge jalapenos. They were screaming to be stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon. The farmer warned us that these jalapenos were very hot. 'Oh Boulderdash!', I have never met a jalapeno too hot. Once we got home these beauty's were rinsed in cool water.

Some 'Old Fashion' cured bacon from 'Dee's Meats' (Bacon Revue to follow) would  blanket  these cheese wielding peppers.A combination of cream and cheddar cheese was stuffed in a clean jalapeno half. I have handled peppers hundreds of times and always have rinsed my hands after slicing them. Today was no exception. Somewhere this farmer had a smile on his face. Of course I rubbed my eye and immediately realized my mistake. Have you ever seen a grown Mad Meat Genius cry. This was not the only area that I touched. I will spare you the details. This pepper was smoking hot. Once I stopped blubbering the peppers were baked on the Weber.

The peppers were arranged on a sheet of aluminum foil A couple of holes were poked in the bottom to allow bacon fat to drain. 50 charcoals were lit and arranged into a indirect heat pattern. A aluminum pan was placed under the foil to collect the drained grease. Once the fire was to temperature a stick of applewood was dispatched to the fire. The vents were closed half way and the peppers were left to bake for 20 minutes. These bacon cheese bombs were so hot and tasty. Bacon, melted cheeses, and super hot jalapenos make for a delicious snack or side dish. Nest time I will wear protective gear while preparing these treats

PEOPLES CHOICE (SMOKIN" ON THE WATER)

 Congratulations to all the teams that competed at 'Smokin' on the Water' at Konicti Vista Casino this weekend. In my book all the teams scored '9's across the board. A lot of preparation and work went into each and every barbeque entry. A special shout out to the team of 'BLUQE' CUTIN" EDGE' who won Grand Champion. The four meat categories of chicken, ribs, pork and brisket were well represented. The 'Peoples Choice competition brought out some very creative entries.

The bacon explosion was a wonderful sausage loaf covered by an explosion of bacon. This was sold by the team of 'Big B's Down & Dirty BBQ' team.

The 'Peoples Choice' category is won by who sells the most taste tickets. Half of all money collected is given to a local charity This is were the teams can be creative. The four meat categories and anything else that the team cooks can be sold. Bacon seemed to be a common theme this year. Smoked Bacon covered Jalapeno poppers, Moink balls and the Bacon Explosion were a few of our favorites.

This event was a family affair. The young women pictured above was having a fantastic time selling chocolate covered bacon. You know who had to try this. This was a great weekend. We are looking forward to next year
.

Award Ceremony

'BLUQE' CUTIN" EDGE'

RODEO CHILI COOK-OFF

We are loading up Ms. Goofy's 'Formula One' racing Honda with an appetite and our judges badges. We are traveling to Clear Lake to judge a KCBS sanctioned barbeque, "Smokin' On the Water", contest. It is how we roll. When we are not  eating and judging some of the best barbeque of the nation we are entering chili cook-offs. I would like to mention the "Rodeo Chili Cook-Off and Car Show".

This will be our third year of entry and we have high hopes of winning. We have won this contest and we have also taken a second place losing to a higher authority. This event will be a local showcase for business's and individuals of my home town of Rodeo, California. This event will take place on Saturday October 16 at Lefty Gomez field. I will have more information later. We leave you with our theme song of the weekend. Let the good times roll.

2nd ANNUAL SMOKIN' ON THE WATER

'Konicti Vista Casino' in beautiful Clearlake California will be hosting the '2nd Annual Smokin on the Water'. This event is a great event for the public to actually taste competition barbeque. Depending where a competition is held will dictate the rules and regulations the local health department will impose. Sometimes this bureaucratic department will impose draconian and over zealous rules in distributing food. One barbeque event was actually cancelled because of the fees, permits, and hoops the department demanded. Konicti Vista is controlled by the 'Big Valley Tribe of Pomo Indians. They have created a barbeque friendly atmosphere which will allow the public to taste these barbeque treats. Each competitor will sell samples for 1-2 dollars. The amount of tastes they sell will determing the 'Peoples Choice' award.

Ms. Goofy and I will be attending this meat smoking extravaganza and wearing our judges badges. Last year this event was a blast. We were so full of great barbeque that, we could barely pull the slot handles. The casino is located right on the edge of Clear Lake. There is a Marina to park your Yacht or in our case inner tube. The competition will end with a fire works display. Hope to see you there!

Smokin' on the Water  Aug 28

WILD FLOUR BREAD

Bread, baked in a wood fired oven, and using organic sourdough is a special treat. It is even more special when it is in the middle of your scenic drive. Wild Flour Bread fills this bill. Wild Flour is located 10 miles away from Bodega Bay or ten miles away from Occidental. California. It is a scenic drive which ever way you travel. The Wild Flour Bread bakery produces ten to twelve different breads daily. From cheese fougasse, cinnamon buns and even a 100 percent rye bread is baked in a eucalyptus fired wood oven. The tattooed and pierced staff is very friendly and will dole out samples to your hearts desires. There will be a long line but it is worth the wait and you can view the birds painted on the wall, a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds'.(filmed in Bodega Bay 10 miles down the road). There is a wonderful garden to explore right outside the bakery. The next time your are traveling on the 'Bohemian Highway be sure to stop at Wild Flour Bread.

Wild Flour Bread 

APPLE FESTIVAL

The county fair circuit has passed and we still have not found chocolate covered onion rings. Last weekend the Gravestein Apple festival was held in Sebastapol. It is a wonderful event celebrating the Gravestein apple. At one time this area was famous for its production of this apple. A lot of the apple orchards are being replaced with grape vines. This festival is a local event that showcases a lot of artisan craftsmen and food vendors. This is not your typical fair food. There were apple fritters, juice, dumplings and of course apple pie. Luther Burbank a botanist and pioneer in creating new strains of plants, did a lot of research in the Santa area. His old jalopy was on display.

We were entertained by a Cajun Zydeco band named the Wild Catahoulas. They got the crowd in a dancing mood. I actually swayed a little bit to the music on my bench. With all that swaying we worked up a powerful hunger. We spotted our good friend Angelo selling tri-tip sandwiches.

We talked to Angelo for a little while and noticed a long line in the food booth next door. They were selling grilled cheese sandwiches. Ms. Goofy said that is what she wanted. Angelo gave us a wink and we got in line. What a great idea. "The BestGrilledCheese.com" takes slices of whole grain bread and slathers them in butter. A blend of cheeses is put between the slices and it is pressed and grilled on the flat top. It is served with garlic sweet potato fries and some home cured pickles. Brilliant! This comination was comforting, oozy, gooey and just plain delicious. Who needs chocolate covered onion rings?