Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker: The WSM Experiment

Most girls receive a piece of jewelry for their birthday. Maybe some flowers, or a new purse, or, well, actually I don't even know. Because I am not in the know when it comes to stereotypical, cliche, bland gifts.

No. What does my husband give me for my first married birthday?

This baby:



And did I slap him in the face?

Heck no. I slapped him high five. As he puts it, win-win for everyone. I get a smoker and he gets to eat smoked meat. And I'm actually THRILLED about it.

Quick back story: One day I fell upon a BBQ Pitmasters marathon. I'm pretty sure BBQ is in my DNA, as my mother is from the South and I spent many a day drinking sweet tea and eating pulled pork at Bessinger's in Charleston, South Carolina (which I will review one day, officially).



Also, if you notice, I wrote this little dandy of a review: Arthur Bryant's BBQ, Kansas City which shares my experience of driving almost entirely across the country and making sure that we made a pit stop at one of the most renowned BBQ joints in the country.



Then, we went to Nashville, TN, and I dragged Brad to numerous BBQ joints, one of which you may recognize from Diner's, Drive-Ins, and Dives:



And let's not forget to point out that I obviously have documented evidence of all of these establishments. So, BBQ must be in my DNA. It's certainly in my blood. Still with me?

So, I was watching BBQ Pitmasters, having an early mid-life crisis, and decided that I could do that. And then I started getting all of these grandiose ideas about rubs and sauces and smokers. And then, one of the BBQ pitmasters, Harry Soo, said he cooked with a WSM. Wheels began turning...

And then, it turned out that one of the ladies I work with has done competition BBQ before, and she gave me a whole magazine, some tips, and a sample of her rub. It was all coming together. I just needed the smoker...

And on April 9, the smoker came to me. Sincerely, set up was a breeze, and I had the whole thing ready to go in under twenty minutes. I ran towards Home Depot, which I can drive to on autopilot at this point, and purchased myself some pecan wood and some cherry wood. (Also picked up hickory, but haven't used it yet.) I threw some coals into a coal lighter, and proceeded to spend the next hour and a half trying to get the coals to light.

Not fun.

I have heard that common sense advice: Don't use lighter fluid. So I didn't. I tried tequila (didn't work). I tried paraffin wax (didn't work), and then I just gave it the old cardboard try and finally got something going. It was a cold day, in the 40s, and I quickly learned that it would take a lot more coal than the instructions recommended because of the temperature. Also, because I filled the water tub as it asked, and probably didn't need all of that water, which makes it more difficult for the little bullet to get up to temp. But, after much struggle, I finally got it smoking:



I rubbed down my boneless ribs with some applewood rub, slapped it on the grill, and proceeded to battle with the temperature gauge for the next 5 hours. I felt like the workers on the Polar Express, shoveling coals into the oven, trying to keep the fire hot. After 4 and a half hours, I opened the top, glazed the ribs with some agave, and let them try to get a nice bark. It wasn't quite hot enough, but they certainly looked pretty good:



The real test is the pink smoke ring. So I sliced them open and found:



Looks pretty darn tootin' good for a first attempt.

Tasted mighty fine also, if you don't mind me braggin' a bit.

And now that I have a better understanding of my new smoker, I think I could make some pretty wonderful things. I'm definitely excited to give it a whirl this summer. Come on over, but, as Si does, BYOB. Even if it is just sweet tea.

Until I learn how to make beer, that is...

Fences, Vegetable Gardens, and Moss

Taking care of a home is a 24/7 battle.

Our lawn has been overrun by moss. #firstcountryproblems

I will not provide you with a photo, but I will let you know that we are waging a full-out war, using sprayable moss away and brute force. Three different types of rakes have been involved. The moss is a worthy opponent; but we have the hearts of patriots. Nobody will mess with out American, picket fence summer lawn. I am not exactly this is what Hal Higdon had in mind when he told me to cross train for the marathon on Sundays, but I am sure that this is more difficult than any cross fit or P90X experience I've been involved in.

In more positive news, we finally finished off the fence. Shea, our beloved golden retriever, is thrilled. It took Brad an entire weekend and the purchase of a hatchet to get the fence posts in. Digging through the tree roots was not an easy task, coupled with making sure they are equally spaced and the right height--quite the adventure. Then, mixing the cement and getting them to stay. The next weekend he put up the fencing and the gate. Voila! A fence!



Also, we worked diligently on the vegetable garden. Brad grabbed some old Sea Girt boardwalk that is available at the Sea Girt recycling center, and sawed them into 8 feet and 12 feet pieces. It's awesome because it's made of composite decking, so it is perfect for outside use. Plus, there's some sentimental value, as I've run those boards more times than I can tell you. No splinters!




After Brad sawed them, I used my gnarly, new-found post digging skills to dig three posts. Brad nailed the boards in, and I spent a few hours raking and hacking away at awful (and oftentimes neon) roots. After I did my best in this other epic battle against nature, I planted my little seedlings which I had been growing indoors for the past month. We'll see if any of them fair well; I have a feeling the snap peas will make it, but I'm not sure about anything else. So I planted tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, cauliflower, caesar lettuce, and asian cabbage, which will go well with my herb garden of basil, thai basil, cilantro, parsley, sage, oregano and mint. Only time will tell...

Asbury Park Half Marathon

So, after the horrific events in Boston, the Jersey Shore Running Club asked that all participants wear blue and yellow (BAA colors) for support. They even had hair ribbons for the ladies and pins for the men, which I felt was a nice touch. I wore my BC shirt and kept getting cheers from the sparse group of supporters who were probably freezing, because it wasn't exactly warm. Brad and I toed the line, and I wish they had a better soundsystem, for most people kept talking through the moment of silence and the National Anthem. Then we were off. I felt pretty good, and in fact was rather shocked when I got to mile 8 that I was already at mile 8. That was the "turn around" area, as the half followed a new course this year due to the devastation of Sandy. So Special Olympics, Restore the Shore, and Support for Boston. Pretty intense year. We ended up running the route that we've been training on ALL marathon training long--through Allenhurst, Deal, and Long Branch. Relatively flat, with a few scenic ocean spots. I'm pretty sure we had negative splits, as after the 8 we definitely kicked it up a notch. We ended up finishing at 1:57:38, which is good considering this is supposed to be a decline from marathon training, and we were coming off some super long runs (20 miler, anyone?). Nabbed me 28 in my division (which is now +30. Eek!)

I know how I am, and I need to be careful. I get ideas in my head, and then I go crazy trying to achieve them, oftentimes bringing unnecessary stress upon myself (and those nearby). And that BQ is tempting... But, I'd pretty much have to run 8 minute miles over the course of 26.2 miles. And I've yet to run 8 minute miles for the course of 13.1 (Did break 40 in the Manasquan Turkey Trot back in the day!) So maybe I'll aim for a below 1:45 half first. Who knows?

I have all these crazy ideas for myself and my life, and I am not always the best at sorting out the sane from the mildly insane to the "What are you, crazy???" I think I get the latter the most.

But hey, why not?

Asian Meatballs

Let's talk meatballs. And sing some Sinatra. And watch "Moonstruck". Or... We could just eat insanely easy and delicious and mostly HEALTHY meatballs.

2 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 small minced onion
1/2 lemon squeezed
Salt and pepper
1 lb ground turkey.

Mix it all up, loosely form them into meatballs, fry in a small amount of olive oil for about 5 min per side, and squeeze the other lemon half on top. Insanely amazing. Seriously. I served this with spaghetti squash with quick-make homemade tomato sauce. (A can of Roma tomatoes, some olive oil, fresh oregano, basil, and parsley from my garden, and some shaved pecorino-Romano cheese.) Delish!!!!

Asbury Park Half Marathon: Blue & Yellow

Get your blue and yellow on to show support for the BAA and all those senselessly killed, injured, and affected by the events that took place at the storied Boston Marathon.

I will be there in a BC shirt for one of my last training runs before the NJ Marathon May 5th. Ran 8 today. Felt good. Which is surprising because we had our 20 miler last Saturday. So, I'll take it.

Come support the runners in Asbury! :)

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week: Daniel's Bistro, Avon, NJ

I don't have any pictures.

Let's be honest, the food was so exceptional, that I totally didn't even think about capturing a lasting moment on "film" (yes, I am dating myself by using such archaic jargon).

To start, a gift from the chef. Bruschetta and the most delectable little ramekin of creamy tomato soup I have ever tasted. Not tinny, not bitter, not too sweet, just delectable. A multitude of flavors, but nothing overwhelming. I wish I had a bowl of it. Maybe a gallon. Hence why the French call it Amuse-bouche. Mouth amuser.

Then, I had the escargot. When someone things about escargot, they probably think about: Endless Summer II (I can't eat these little guys! I'm going to set them free!) or, more likely, garlic.

These little guys were more lemony than garlicky, and let me tell you, it worked. I wish I had more bread at this point so I could lap up all of the sauce. The whole grain roll was actually quite good, too. But definitely better with escargot sauce. And the escargot themselves were tender. Quite a fine morsel.

Then, the pinnacle of the meal. Perfectly cooked medium-rare filet mignon topped with pan seared foie gras and a delicate what I can only assume to be 20-year aged balsamic reduction sauce. Plus garlicky spinach, mashed potatoes, and portabello mushrooms. Now do you understand why I didn't take any pictures?

For dessert, grand marnier creme brulee, perfectly blowtorched with an espresso on the side.

Plus, another offering from the chef in the form of a miniature walnut-chocolate brownie drizzled in a cherry/raspberry tasting sauce. And we were offered complimentary Sambuca, which I denied because I don't like the Buki.

Fantastic. And... It's BYOB! Yes! I'm serious!

It's a small little restaurant on the Main Street in Avon. Lower level of a house. Lots of cool canvas photography of the ocean. Boisterous because of the size, but everyone seemed to be smiling and enjoying themselves. Helpful waiters and waitresses. Great job keeping the water glass full, if you know what I mean. Also, there was a piano player when we first arrived at 8:30.

Verdict: Put this on your list. It may even be better than Nicholas, and wins extra brownie points for A) Not being stuffy and overly snobby, and B) Being BYOB. Plus, the menu is incredibly eclectic; I basically wanted to try every appetizer. Especially the special for the day which was duck meatballs stuffed with foie gras and drizzled with truffle oil. Yes, that happened! Now, go! Or don't go, so I can still get in.

The other Daniel's is in Point Pleasant and was closed due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. Check them out at: Daniel's Bistro By The Sea, Avon, NJ

Patriots' Day. The Boston Marathon

This weekend I ran 20 miles. And it was utterly exhausting, semi-painful, and difficult.

I can't imagine running 6.2 more and then dealing with explosives.

I was in Boston during September 11th. It was my freshmen year in college. I remember how they locked the city down: we didn't have classes, black jets soared over our campus, and various bomb threats were made at surrounding areas. It was awful. And now, on Patriots' Day, a day that brings the world together in Boston, we have not one but two bombs explode.

The time was 4:11. That's around the time that I hope to finish the NJ Marathon (probably around 4:30.) Absolutely terrifying. Just the average Joe. Possibly running his/her first marathon. Maybe even for charity. And then, this.

I've cheered for the marathoners in NYC. I've dreamt of one day getting a BQ (Boston Qualifier)--probably when I'm 80. This is such a great day in Boston, normally. One of my favorite memories of college. Cheering for those who put months of hardwork and dedication in for one single run. True optimists and symbols of inspiration. Gatsby's green light.

My thoughts and prayers are with those in Boston. I wish the world nothing but peace and happiness.

SEAglass

My uber talented mother made this for me for my birthday! Gorgeous! And while not overly difficult, definitely time consuming, making sure the colors are spread out and matching each piece perfectly like a puzzle. Anyone else out there want one?? Get your orders in now!

Run with the Royals 5k

So I am going to write about this because it probably will never happen again.

I just came in 13th/14th (Brad and I finished together) in a 5k.

The race: Run with the Royals 5K in Oceanport on a mostly grassy and semi-hilly terrain. And even though it wasn't my best 5K time, and I totally had the wrong shoes on for the type of course, I'm pretty proud of myself. :)

So, now it's documented. Whoo!