FEATHER FALLS CASINO BBQ COOk-OFF

This will be the third and final contest in a three part series. There are quit a few teams that are separated by a slim margin that will be competing for the grand prize. It will be held at the Feather Falls Casino in Orville this Saturday. This event will be bittersweet for us because it will be the last scheduled contest we will be judging this 2013 bbq season. It promise to be a doozy of an event. Hope to see you there.

Feather Falls Casino

OATMEAL BREAD

I love whole wheat bread. The flavor, texture and even the health benefits float my boat. This bread even uses oatmeal.as an ingredient. There is honey to add a little sweetness to this nutty hearty loaf. Ms. Goofy calls my whole wheat breads: 'Sticks & Stones' bread. It is not her favorite. That is fine, because there will be more for me.

Recipe Here

LUCKY DOG

Our dog Lucy is one lucky dog. But, she does not have her picture on a hot sauce label. Our latest review is  from 'Lucky Dog Hot Sauce". Click the link below and give it a gander if you will

Read Review Here!!!!!!

EAT REAL FESTIVAl

It was a beautiful afternoon to indulge in fun, sun and good eats at the Eat Real food festival held in Jack London Square Oakland California. Jack London Square is a beautiful waterfront area that is lined with restaurants, shops and hotels. This area was transformed into a festival dedicated to 'Real Food'. How could we resist an event were you are required to eat and have a good time. We would like to share a couple of images with you.

 The event was divided into two areas. An outside food area and an indoor pavilion that was dedicated to fun and specialized food products. There was something for everybody. Our friends from Heat Hot Sauce shop were there selling their latest hot creations. Pop Art Bake shop was selling home made bisquits and gravy. They also had cheesecake on a stick. You had many choices of premium chocolates. We bought some chocolates that were laced with the deadly ghost peppers from Barlovento chocolates. If you needed a little caffeine boost there was probably half a dozen local independent baristas to get your java fix. Pastries, baked goods, breads and so much more was available. Almost everybody was offering samples to entice your purchase.

It was time to go outside to enjoy the sunny afternoon. The outside area was lined with food trucks and food vendors. Where do we start with all the choices. Our friends from Belcampo were offering some of their tasty beef as sandwiches. Let me tell you about our favorite nosh first. The first image of this story is a sandwich/slider offered from chef Mistry from 'Juhu Beach Club. It was a smoky cardamon braised short ribs with a cucumber raita called the Holy Cow. Holy Cow was it rich, decadent and terrific.

 So much good food but we did have a couple of misses.Sometimes the descriptions of the food was better than the actual product. This was the case With the Lechon Burrito. It maybe should of been called the "Wish Burrito" We wish there had been some more meat. We also had some lumpia that was a grease bomb that should have been dispensed with some antacid for later.

You would not believe the size of some hand dipped corn dogs that were offered. The nice thing about this festival was that all the foods offered were priced for under 5 dollars. You could have your fill without breaking the bank. We did just that. There was music and food demonstrations. Food related competitions were going to be held. Just strolling around and soaking in the view of the waterfront was entertainment itself.

This is a three day event so get yourself motivated and come eat some real food. Bring your appetite and be prepared for some fun in the sun. We had a blast. Thanks for sharing with us.

Eat Real Food Festival

Jack London Square 

Oakland, California

SABA LIVE POULTRY

The not so secret to great cooking is to use the freshest ingredients available. Is that the case with meat? We are taking a Mini Meat Adventure to Saba Live Poultry and picking out a live chicken. They will dispatch and clean the fowl immediately. We will then cook and eat said bird. Let me start out with saying I have no knowledge or experience about slaughtering an animal for consumption. You even  might say I am a 'Greenhorn City Slicker". My only experience with dead animals is in the meat aisle of Wally World. This will be an experience.

Saba Live Poultry is located in an Industrial area of East Oakland. It is a large warehouse with plenty of parking located in between the tractor trailers making their nearby deliveries. Once inside you are greeted by the smells and sounds of hundreds of caged pidgins, ducks, chickens, roosters, and somewhere were I did not see lambs and goats. The place was clean and recently scrubbed. It did not smell unpleasant but did have a noticeable odor. With that many live animals, barnyard like smells are unavoidable. A friendly, english speaking clerk asked me if I needed help. I told him I wanted a chicken. He knew right away that this was my first time. I did stand out being the only Anglo shopping with predominantly ethnic customers. He warned me not to get to close to the cages because I would get scratched. A chicken was picked and the clerk grabbed it by its feet and turned it upside down. It clucked but quickly became docile possibly knowing its fate. The clerk took the chicken behind closed doors for cleaning. I asked him if I could watch and take pictures. He replied the owner would not allow it.  Five minutes elapsed and the clerk returned with a black plastic bag. This chicken cost me ten dollars.

I returned to my car holding the bag out from my body. I just had a creepy queasy feeling that this cutup chicken might jump out at me or something. I opened the bag to see my chicken. I bravely touched the chicken to feel warm flesh to my fingers. After verification that is was really dead, I took a deep breath and returned home.

They included the feet, gizzards and head. The neck was still attached. I reserved the neck and feet for stock in the future. The chicken was seasoned for the barbeque. My initial queasiness has subsided because this was only cutup chicken. The chicken was good looking. It cooked just like any Wally World chicken. The million dollar question is how did it taste?

This chicken looked really nice. I cooked it to the proper temperature and let it rest for 10 minutes. Drum roll please. This was one tough old bird. What did I do wrong? It had good chicken flavor but it was tough and chewy. I am a little lost because this is the first time I have cooked such fresh chicken. This was an adventure that will not be repeated. My killing floor with be the meat section of 'Wally Mart".

Sabla Live Poultry
845 Kennedy Blvd
Oakland Ca.

BBQ BLESSINGS & CARIBBEAN KISS

We had the pleasure to try several new rubs from La Pan's Food Corporation. We never need an excuse to fire up the grill but it did get a work out. Give it a look, it may make you hungry.

                                            Read Review Here

BACON FLOSS

We would like to end this fun week of bacon novelties on a serious note; 'Dental Hygiene'. After your bacon indulgence one should brush your teeth and floss. Why not floss with Bacon Floss? Thankyou Ms. Goofy for all my bacon presents.