SAFEWAY STEAK

The price of steak has gone through the roof and launched toward the moon. Actually the price of everything has too. Safeway is our local grocery store and has weekly ad specials. They advertised U.S.D.A. Choice N.Y. strip bone-in steaks at 6.97/pd. This was a deal I could not pass up. I did have to jump through some hoops to get it. The selection was very limited. It was incorrectly priced. If you are a club member you get one price and if you are Joe Schmoe a higher price. Both of these prices were incorrect. To add insult to injury the clerk told me I was getting the correct discount until I showed her the newspaper add. We had to call a manager to referee. When all was said and done, the steaks were actually very good. I have a feeling this will never happen again at this price.

 

 

12 BRIDGES RIB COOK-OFF

 

We have traveled to Lincoln California to judge a KCBS one meat contest. Twenty two teams did battle cooking ribs. This was a fun event for the whole family. It had all the right moves. I even found bacon wrapped Oreo cookies. It does not get any better than this.

 

YOU SAY TOMATO

It has been an unusual weather year here in California. This summer has been very mild and the winter was severe. Our produce has been in turmoil. It seems like the crops are confused. When they do decide to produce it is a miracle of life. These are some of the best tomatos ever.

 

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES RIB COOK-OFF & CAR SHOW

 We knew we were at the right place when I found the booth selling chocolate covered bacon and white chocolate covered cheesecake with strawberry topping. We left our judges badges at home and had a great time. I never did get any shots of the cars because I was too busy eating. Sorry!

HOT AUGUST BITES RIBS & CHILI COOK-OFF WITH A PIECE OF PEAR PIE

We are in Rio Vista California for Hot August Bites Ribs & Chili Cook-Off. Our judges badges are bright and shiny and we are ready to have some fun. We have been to this venue before and it has been in the triple digits of heat. This time Mother Nature blessed us with temperatures in the low 90's. This event has something for everyone. Cars, music, food, venders, ribs, bouncy houses and chili. We would like to share a couple of photos with you.

 

GREEN RIVERS RIB COOK-OFF

Well, take me back down where cool water flows, y'all

Oh, let me remember things I love

Stoppin' at the log where catfish bite

Walkin' along the river road at night

Barefoot girls dancin' in the moonlight

Some of you may remember these lyrics from a Creedence Clearwater Revival song titled; Green River. It is reputed that it refers to Putah Creek which just so happens to be the location of our rib cook-off. We are at the Green River Brewing & Taproom for a rib cook-off, car show and 'School of Rock" contest. Ms. Goofy and I were attending judges.

 

This was a great venue. It was situated right next to the infamous 'Green River". The grounds had plenty of shade and covered picinic areas. At the stage, the kids were having a rock concert which while looked like fun for the parents did not fare well for these aging rockers. They were not bad but the voices going through puberty left much to be desired. The BBQ competitors were spaced throughout the grounds. It smelled fantastic throughout. The judges were sequestered in an air conditioned bar area. We had access to plenty of liquid libations. This was a very fun day.

REVERSE-SEAR

We tried some reverse-seared Picanha steaks last night and they were fantastic. This technique was fairly simple. We started with a 300 degree indirect fire for 20 minutes rotating the steaks once. The target temperature was 115 degrees. The steaks were taken out and rested for 10 minutes. During the rest the Big Green Egg was cranked up to 500 degrees direct fire. The steaks were finished with a searing of 1 minute on each side. This was the perfect medium rare cook. I think I will make a sandwich.