WOODLAND RIBS & RODS

We are in Woodland California for a car show and rib cook-off. Twenty two championship bbq teams went to battle to deliver an award winning rib. We had some tasty fun and saw some friends.

MY BIG FAT FANCY DINNER AT THE AWAHNHEE

Yosemite National Park is a magical place. This is because of the spectacular views, hiking, biking, swimming and to me; dinner at the Awahnee hotel. Dinner at the Awhanee is a step back into time when fine dining was elegant and grand. There is a dress code which is loosely enforced. The historic dining room was built in 1926. The 34-foot-high beamed ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows, chandeliers, linen tablecloths, beautiful china and to set the mood; a grand piano player. 

I had a picture window seat for a million dollar Yosemite view. I began with bread assortment with whipped butter/olive pate. I splurged with some olives with spicy almond and then a Caesar salad with a tasty parmesan crisp. The Prime rib was fantastic with Yorkshire pudding and vegetables. Would the “Crumbsweeper appear? Of course, this is the Awhanee. Believe it or not I actually passed on dessert. I was just overwhelmed with Yosemite dining bliss. WoW!!!!

BAKED BEANS WITH BACON

 As you may know, I am a sucker for any product that hints at bacon. Sometimes a hint is all I get. Today we are trying Saucy Spoon baked beans with applewood smoked bacon. These beans were about as good as baked beans get in a can. There was some tiny chunks of bacon throughout. It did have a smoky flavor but I can guess it was enhanced by the dreaded liquid smoke. This product was decent but I would not go out of my way to purchase again. 

BLUE MEANIES

Today we were judging ribs & chili at the beautiful Valensin Vineyard & Winery. These are beautiful grounds with a lake for paddle boading and pedal boats. The lake is so blue that the "Screaming Blue Meanies" may live on the bottom.

DECISIONS

 

Red Velvet or Lemon cake? Why must I make such importamt decisions?

MOOSE LODGE RIBS & ATOMIC BUFFALO TURDS

 

Today brings us to a local Moose lodge for a very fun day judging ribs and ABT's. (atomic buffalo turds or sometimes called bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos). This was a backyard competition at its finest. The weather was great and people were happy and full. We judges got to taste and score some fantastic offerings of ABT's. This is what summer is in our world.

Stage 21………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

FIN….Today is the finale. The tour usually ends with a sprint on the cobblestones in Paris. Today’s 152.3km route starts in Mantes-La-Ville and ends at the iconic Champs-Elesees. Barring a catastrophe, Tadej Pogacar will be the triumphant yellow jersey recipient on the podium today. Congratulations!

The Snack 

I saved the best for last and that is the Coffee Crisp candy bar. This is a chocolate covered crispy wafer bar with a slight coffee flavor. It is a nostalgic flavor for me. These candy bars are mainly distributed in Canada and have a very limited availability here in the states.

Thankyou for watching and participating in Tour de France……21 Days of racing and snacks. This was a spectacular year and cannot wait for the next Tour. As we speak I am gathering Intel on Paul’s Fruitcake Corner and snacks for next years tour……..stay tuned.

Stage 20………Tour de France

 …………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

We are very close to Paris and the end of the tour. This next to last stage goes from Nantua to Pontarlier. It is 184.3km and is described as hilly. The riders are fatigued. The leaders will be protected by their teammates. It will take determination to prevail today.

The Snack  

California Bacon Maple Almonds seemed like an out of the park winner. They hit the fence but not over the wall. They are crunchy and yes they have a smoky maple enticing flavor. I did enjoy these almonds but believe they only added ‘bacon’ to the description to guarantee my purchase.

Stage 19………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

The tour is winding down but the racers still are going up. This is another mountainous stage from Albertville to La Plagne. The length is 129.9km. The climbers will prevail and the race leaders will dominate.

The Snack 

Sea salt caramels are a chewy sweet snack that satisfies. The kiss of salt has you begging for another bite. Oh yeah!

Stage 18………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Vif to Courchevel Col De La Loze is described as a leg-breaker. It is a mountainous 171.5km long tough uphill stage. The race leaders will battle once again.

The Snack 

Lime Bites from “Southern Supreme Fruitcake” are on the table today.  These are sugary fluffy pillows of lime flavored cookie like delight. They are sweet.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Stage 17………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Bollene to Valence the racers will race on a pancake flat (Maybe I should of said crepe flat....we are in France you know) 160.4k course. The Sprinters are chomping at the bit.

The Snack 

Doritos Golden Sriracha is an interesting flavor. How can you not like salty, crunchy, a hint of sweetness and very mild warmth? The fact that these are Doritos, I cannot resist. I question if I actually tasted a Sriracah flavor but I did not care. Thankyou Tracy, for contributing to “Tour de France……….21 Days of racing & snacks.

Day 16………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

171.5km length starting from Montpellier to the very tippy top of Mont Ventoux is the stage today. The 15.7 kilometer climb to the observatory on top of Mount Ventoux is legendary and should be exciting.

The Snack   

Candy Fish from Sweden has a sour raspberry flavor. It is chewy, sweet and does not taste like fish at all.

Rest Day.......Tour de France

 

 The Tour is taking a day off to rest. We will be back tomorrow  with more 21 Days of racing & snacks.

Day 15………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Muret to Carcassonne is a 169.3km hilly course. This roly poly stage may support a break-away and the peloton may scatter but the race leaders should prevail.

The Snack   

The snack today has the endorsement of the popular YouTube series; “Hot Ones”. It is a mixture of pretzels, cornnuts, sesame sticks, cashews and peanuts. It claims a habanero/peach flavor with a medium heat. Actually the heat level is mild and the habanero/peach flavor was hiding somewhere. Even though not as advertised, this snack is enjoyable with its crunchy, salty and slightly warm flavor………..Winner!

Day 14………Tour de France

 …………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Pau to Lucon-Superbaneres is a 4,950 meters climb in the Pyrenees Mountains. Hold on to your superbaneres because this is an uphill challenge.

The Snack 

 Peanut butter rice cakes are chewy and chocolatey. They make for a fun nostalgic flavor snack. 

Day 13………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Today is a 10.0 km time trial from Loudenvielle to Peyragudes. This is not your ordinary boring time trial because the course is basically uphill. Even though this is stage is not edge of your couch viewing it is vital for racers to gain/loose precious seconds in time in the overall standings.

The Snack        

Chocolate, everybody loves chocolate.

Day 12………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Auch-Hautacam; Gesundheit. I just am easily amused by the French city names. 180.6km mountain stage will be a test of attrition. The race leaders will be tested.

The Snack        

Unusual seasonal flavored nuts are on the plate today. These may not be available anymore because they are just plain odd… but tasty.  I am not sure if I would identify pumpkin but I do get a hint of cinnamon, cloves and ginger. I rather liked them.

Day 11………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

We start and end in a 156.8km loop from Toulouse. This is a fairly flat course. It also should be hot. The end promises to have a roller coaster terrain which will hinder the sprinters.

The Snack           

The race will be hot and a great way to cool down is with California watermelons. Today you can buy seedless varieties which takes out the fun of spitting the seeds. Ms. Goofy appreciates that.

Rest Day .........Tour de France

 The Tour is taking a day off to rest. We will be back tomorrow  with more 21 Days of racing & snacks.

Day 10………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Today is the first official mountain stage. We are going 165.3km Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy De Sancy. Those French sure has some funny town names. This uphill battle will bring out the climbers.

The Snack           

Ritz Habanero crackers are a decent enough snack to nibble on. The habanero in the title does not live up to its potential heat level and really is disappointing for that.

Day 9………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

A flat 174.1km course that starts in Chinon and ends in Chateausroux will be fast and furious.

The Snack           

Dee’s Nuts has a Banana Nan ner pudding flavored peanut snack that caught my eye. Yes it tastes like bananas. Did I like it and recommend? To quote Nancy Reagan; “Just say no!”

Day 8………Tour de France

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Saint-Meen-Le-Grand to Laval Espace Mayenne is a 171.4km flat route. Sprinters are ready to make this a fast and probably a little dangerous at the end.

The Snack            

Hot honey fudge delivers to this sweet tooth of mine. It has very pleasant warmth and is not hot at all. This is a winner.

Day 7………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

This is a 196.km hilly course from Saint-Mala to Mur-de- Bretagne Guerledan. A break-away group may succeed today. There is only one second between the Yellow Jersey and second place. WoW!

 

The Snack             

Pecan Pie Truffles by See’s Candies is a drop the mike moment…………So Good!!!!!!!

Day 6………Tour de France

 …………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Bayeux to Vire Normandie is the 201.5km and is described as a hilly route today. Today is a route for the “Puncheurs”. The Puncheur is a rider who excels on short, steep climbs and has a strong sprint finish.

The Snack              

Secret Aardvark makes a great hot sauce and when I found out they made a habanero hazelnut snack, it was a no brainer to try. The hazelnuts are yummy with a buttery salty crunch. The habanero heat lacks and did not show up to this party. This snack was enjoyable but this is a one and done.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Day 5………Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

We are in Caen France for a time trial. A time trial is where the racers individually race a course trying to get the best time possible. This stage is not the most exciting to watch but it is crucial to the race. The leaders can be separated by seconds.

The Snack             

The Ollaliberry is a cross between a raspberry and blackberry. I say it is delicious.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Day 4………Tour de France

……………..21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Today is a hilly route 174.2km route from Amiens Metropole to Rouen. This route is classified as hilly but maybe should be called lumpy. There are lots of undulations to test the legs of the riders.

The Snack 

I was a little hesitant to try Boba Moki. I was pleasantly surprised. This is a soft & chewy snack made of rice cake and boba. Boba are balls made from tapioca starch, derived from the cassava root. This snack is of soft texture with a nice caramel/brown sugar flavor. 

Day 3………….Tour de France

 

…………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Today the course is 178.5 km long from Valenciennes to Dunkerque and is planned to be a sprinters day. It could be windy creating havoc and mayhem in the Peleton.

The Snack

Onion Chips sounded intriguing to me. They have a slight sweetness and combined with a crackly crunch, the salt and oil will have you begging for another chip.

Day 2………….Tour de France

 ………..21 Days of racing & snacks

 

 The Race

209.1 km from Lauwin-Panue to Boulogne-Sur-Mer is a hilly route. Yesterday the sprinters were favored but today the GC (General Classification) riders should prevail.

The Snack

Flamin’ Inferno Jalapeno Peanuts sounds daunting and was a gift from our bbq friend Tracy. These are a tasty and addicting snack. The salt, crunch and perfect amount of roasting make a good bite. While the title sounds scary they are actually pretty mild with heat. Thanks Tracy.

Day 1……Tour de France

 

21 Days of racing & snacks

Welcome to the 112th edition of the Tour de France. Each day I will give a brief description of the day’s stage race and an appropriate snack. Let’s go for a ride.

The Race

The race begins and ends in Lille Metropole, France. It is a flat course that is 184.9km long. Today should have a sprint finish to award the first Yellow Jersey.  I am excited

The Snack

We are going to start out with a healthy snack today. California peaches are in peak season now. Juicy, fragrant and sweet, these are a treat.

GRILLIN & CHILLIN

 Yesterday we were in Dixon California to judge ribs at the annual Grillin & Chillin festival. It is a fun local bbq contest, car show, music, vendors and community event. We had a blast but I do have to admit, I do not do so well in 97 degree heat.

POP TARTS PLEASE

 

I loved Pop-Tarts as a kid and still do. I normally do not buy them anymore but had to make a trip to Wallyworld when I found out they released a Pop-Tart ice cream sandwich. They are good and everything you would expect in a Pop-Tarts ice cream sandwich. I was really happy with the world when all of a sudden I found out that a fast food chain was selling Strawberry Smoothies with Pop-Tarts. I could not resist and made a rare trip to this fast food chain. This creation was decent but not 'happy with the world' good" It will be a one and done experience. I do love Pop-Tarts.

WAGYU RIBS

 

We have been on an exploratory culinary Wagyu journey. Today's stop is American Wagyu beef ribs picked up at Costco. These ribs were pre-sliced and around 6 dollars/pound. They looked meaty with a lot of intermuscular fat. In the same aisle Costco had beef ribs with out a fancy label which were a tad bit cheaper but did not have as much intermuscular fat. In hindsight I wonder if it might of been a better choice.

I seasoned these ribs with a rub and cooked them at 275 degrees for several hours on my BGE. I did not really have a method. I took them out when they looked done. I sauced them and returned them briefly to set the glaze. These ribs did have a wonderful beef taste. They were very rich. In fact, I would venture to say too rich. This is what the Wagyu beef is known for; richness (fat). 

I liked these ribs but this will be a one and done effort. You just do not need so much fat in ribs. I also did not like that the ribs were pre-sliced. It meant for a little uneven cooking and meat coverage on the bone.  It was a fun and tasty stop on my Wagyu journey.