SPARTA Q III

Were loading up the Racing Honda and heading to San Jose for Sparta-Q-III. This is a fundraiser for the San Jose State University women's softball team. Hope to see you there.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE & IT'S-IT

All Hallows Eve brings out the pumpkin flavored treats. Cheesecake and a infamous San Francisco ice cream novelty,' It's-It' is on the plate today. We first go to Lucille's Smoke House a chain bbq restaurant and procure a piece of pumpkin cheesecake to-go. This creamy piece of flavored cream cheese has a wonderful sweet crunchy top. The pumpkin flavor was pleasant with cinnamon accenting this Halloweeny treat. Thumbs up is the verdict here.

Next up is a San Francisco ice cream novelty treat. It's It is a chocolate covered oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich. Around Halloween time the pumpkin flavor is released. The pumpkin flavor is nuanced and not very pronounced. The chocolate covered oatmeal cookie sure is good. Overall the pumpkin flavored ice cream novelty is good but I prefer the mint flavored version. Oh the sacrifices we make.
 

PRIME RIB TUESDAY

Sometimes, most of the time I just want a big ole hunk of beef for dinner. Our local restaurant, Rickey's Corner does not disappoint. They serve this with some of the hottest horseradish around. It does not get any better than this.

AMBER STIPICEVICH

This sad story begins at the end. Our friend Amber Stipicevich has passed away. Amber Stipicevich who went by the name of Amber Stippy was a friend from the barbeque community. Amber lost her struggle from complications at the hospital after a surgery preparing her for a heart transplant. She was a young woman in her forties with a young daughter and husband. Amber did not want a funeral but a gathering of family for a barbeque event. This should not be a sad day but a celebration of her life. As in life she is still a beacon of sunshine.
  Amber had a smile that greeted you immediately. Amber was a KCBS CBJ. That is how we first met her. She was a meticulously smart judge that came from her profession as a scientist. This past couple of years she started to compete with her young daughter introducing her to the bbq world. She even started to teach bbq at the ‘Advanced Barbecue Judging “classes offered by the California Barbecue Society. Barbeque was a big part of Amber’s life.

 Amber and I shared several passions. She loved hot sauces. We would share and compare notes about different sauces. Amber re-introduced me to a San Francisco ice cream novelty ‘It’s It”. She generously gifted me a case just to give them a try. She knew of my weakness for sweets.
  Today the barbeque community is gathering at the Elks Lodge in South San Francisco to celebrate Amber’s life. All the food will be prepared and donated by her barbeque friends. Ms. Goofy made some wonderful sweets to share with our friends. A trust fund has been set up for her daughter. Today is a celebration for our friend Amber. Amber Stippy we miss you.

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

It is 7:30 A.M. Pacific Standard time. My coffee is hot and I have a craving for bacon. The only bacon in the house is 'Uncle Oinker's Gummy Bacon (strawberry flavored). Against my better judgement I open the package. I scan the ingredient list to find no actual bacon is in this product. It is also made in China. Oh my! Here we go. Sweet & sticky with strawberry flavor is this chewy stick of baconesque looking object. It is not terrible but is not something I can give a Chilebrown seal of approval on.

THE BUTCHER SHOP Stuffed Pork Chop Heaven

This Meat Adventure brings us back to Chico California. We meet up with bbq competitor, certified KCBS judge and friend John Chips. John Chips is head honcho of the competitive bbq team; ‘Drunk Uncles’ (Ruining family gatherings for over 20 years). John is not afraid to wear a man kilt and he wears it well. He did not wear his kilt today but he was gracious enough to chauffer us around Chico on our Meat Adventure.. We knew we were in for a wild ride by the mascot on John’s dashboard.

One of our stops was The Butcher Shop which is part of the market; ‘S & S Produce & Natural Foods”. At one time the Butcher Shop was a separate business but in 1997 a wall was broken down and the two merged. The Butcher Shop prides itself in being a full service butcher catering to customer’s needs.  The emphasis is in local and natural meat. No hormones or antibiotics will be found in this shop. A 16 foot refrigerated case is devoted to nothing but fresh seafood. Local pork from Llano Seco is featured at this shop. Chicken and pork sausages are house made. So many choices, so little room in the portable ice cave. (ice chest).

Sausages, stuffed pork chops and uncured bacon were added to our shopping cart. I will spare you my rant on the uncured bacon until a later date. The Butcher Shop is a great place for Chico locals to one shop stop for a ‘Natural Food’ and meat meal. We made some other stops in town and had a great lunch. John was a great host and tour guide. We always look forward to seeing him at competitions. Let’s go cook some stuffed pork chops.

The stuffing is of seasoned bread and chopped vegetables. These chops were huge. They were dusted with our rub of the day and brought to room temperature. A medium hot direct heat charcoal fire was built. The grates were oiled. A cast iron pan was lined with several slices of bacon. This would act as a sort of trivet later. The chops were seared on both sides. They were gently placed into the bacon lined black iron pan. The pan was place directly in the middle of the grill and the lid was place to cover. Thirty minutes until the internal temperature hit the 140 mark and the chops were removed.
I have died and gone to Stuffed Pork Chop Heaven. One eats with their eyes first and we had a feast. They were gorgeously mahogany brown. The stuffing had crispy edges. We also had the added bonus of crisped bacon underneath the chops. This was comfort food to the max. The stuffing was like a warm hug. Filling and satisfying, who could ask for more?  Thanks John this was only a part of a great Meat Adventure.

S&S Organic Produce and Natural Foods
1924 Mangrove Ave.
Chico, CA 95926
 (530) 343-4930

REED RACING FOR A CURE BBQ COMPETITION

Stefanie Reed is a cancer survivor. Today we are at a celebration for Stefanie and fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Placerville California at the Gold Hills vineyards made for a beautiful setting for 10 teams to have a rib battle royale. The weather was pleasant with a sprinkling of showers. This did not damper the spirits of all involved. Ms. Goofy and I originally planned to attend as participants but when we found out there were two judging spots open we just so happened to have our Kansas City Barbecue Society Master Certified Judges badges handy. (We do not leave home without them because you never know when a bbq judge may be needed).

 Stefanie is the daughter of our bbq friend Dana so we knew a lot of the participants at this celebration.  It is always a blast to interact and connect with our barbeque community. Since we were at a winery the vino was flowing. Gold Hills also produces great micro-beers. This made Ms. Goofy happy because she is my beer drinkin women.

There was a raffle and auction for various prizes all benefiting the LLS society. Raley’s donated the ribs for today’s competition. The participants bought tasting tickets to sample all the competitors ribs. I found a booth selling homemade English toffee and cake balls. After judging duties a few sweets always hits the spot. Speaking of judging duties, I would like to point out the custom judging plates for today’s event.

It was a great day for a celebration and fundraiser. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society benefited from this festive celebration. We are happy for Stefanie and pleased that we were able to participate today. Thanks to everybody involved.