Thursday, June 10, 2010

Toto, we aren't in St Thomas Anymore - We are in Kansas Smoking Butts for Pulled Pork

Well, for a day, and then we are off to South Dakota for my Mother-in-Law's 76th birthday celebration, and back to St Thomas on Monday... Been a whirlwind for a few days.  Did not expect the short visit, but on Monday Jackie got a bit homesick and wanted her mother.  Who knew 76 was such an important birthday that we would fly 2500 miles and then drive 600...


Besides, I got the word they were one trombone short for the parade.  So off we went...


But, we landed at 2 PM, on the way from the airport, we stopped at the butcher shop.  For a night (tonight), we are partying in Kansas like it's 2009.  By 5 PM, I was rubbing my meat...




I'll be honest, I cried just a bit as I rubbed down my butt.  It's been so long.




Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...




I am not sure if I can continue... I am getting a little misty as I type this.




15 pounds of meat, 225 degrees, scheduled to cook for about 18 hours...




And then the rain started to welcome us home... Hey, I live on an island, I am wet everyday.  I can cook in the rain.




Kick in a bit extra coal and temps were maintained.  All that smoke is not smoke, it is steam from the rain.  Rained for about two hours.




It is VERY important to mop your meat every hour (even in the rain)... especially during the first 4 hours (when the smoke actually penetrates and flavors the meat (as does the mop flavorings).


My smoker does a very good job of maintaining temps.  I went to sleep about midnight with the smoker humming along at 225.  When I woke up at 6 AM, it was running at 220.  Only a loss of 5 degrees.  refreshed my coals, another mop and my first temperature check.  Internal temp on the meat was 155 degrees.  Will leave it on till it reaches 190 degrees, and wrap in foil till ready to pull.


I have 6 racks of ribs, a pot of beans, and 2 pork tenderloins to smoke once the butts are done.


And cole slaw to make, a Caribbean carrot cake, a triple batch of Moomie Buns (I've gone this long without buying commercial bread, no reason to start buying bread now) as well as set up a blender station to show off the 12 bottles of rum I brought with me...


Pina Coladas for everyone, and I do mean everyone.  Either our friends and neighbors missed Jackie or they missed my cooking, but everyone we called wanted to come visit.  So, I am cooking for 16 people tonight.




All ready this morning, I have a batch of buns baking, and I just finished my Blue Cheese Potato Salad.


So, no pictures of oceans today.


No pretty fish or amazing views...





But again... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


Detailed recipes and procedures to come over the next few days...

16 comments:

  1. Welcome back home if even for a short time. The butts look fabulous.

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  2. You are back in your element Dave. Those butts look outstanding!

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  3. Damn, that is a BEAUTIFUL sight. Glad you got a fix of home. I know all about homesick and missing my family.

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  4. Yeah, your back grilling in Kansas for a few hours anyway! I do think grilled meat is a beautiful sight, so here I am drooling at your photos before 9:00 am. Enjoy your short stay Dave!

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  5. Nice ass, I mean, butt!!

    I'm making my blog private, so I need you to shoot me an email so I can add you to the list of privileged peeps who get to read it (snort). headhurtus at yahoo dot com

    I love coming to this blog. My two favorite things...food and the Caribbean!

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  6. Wow Dave! That butt looks finger-lickin' good! Happy birthday to your mother-in-law too!

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  7. I'm so glad you and your meat/grill have been reunited! Absence does make the heart grow fonder...

    I can't wait to see some recipes.

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  8. Ahh, missing your Q. We also smoked a butt over the weekend, best ever!

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  9. Great Post, you've got me laughing once again. Of course everyone wanted to come, I knew they missed your cooking (and of course you and Jackie too)

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  10. Wow, with that kind of hospitality, you'll have half of Kansas there! lol Great pics and menu! Yummm! Have fun, cher! Cheers!

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  11. No no no, it's "Beauty is in the eye of the butt holder" :) In this case at least!

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  12. Good to see you at the grill again. You've still got that black grill magic!

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  13. Phew! That's a load of food! I just made Moomie buns the other day and they are beautiful! Will be making them again and again!

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