Doh ! I cooked this about a month ago and it's been one of the posts waiting in the wings. Yeah, it's like that and I have more than just a few.

I been so tired of the chile powder, paprika and the likes. I've had so much over the years which is why I've been using mostly good kosher salt to marinate my meat in lately. A while back Eric the Knife Guy and his lovely wife Janet gifted me some spice blends from Oregon Spiceman. This particular blend is their Pepper Rub. Black pepper, white pepper, sweet basil, garlic powder and salt. Sounds good and smells even better.

I had a good load of fancy pork country style ribs from Ted of Highland Hills, it was time. Brought down the trusty clay cooker, sliced up an onion, too much garlic, rubbed the meat 2 hours before, installed enough chicken broth, and slid it in to a cold oven set to 400 degrees. I probably even soaked the clay cooker a bit, like you're supposed to.

Pull when pully aparty, pull when broth is rich in flavor and texture. Probably around the near 3 hour mark.

How was it? The fancy pork and its flavors pulled right through, so tender, so juicy in its own perfection. But the clean bite of the pepper delivered to my waiting gullet everything I was looking for. The onions brought to the table a sweetness, the garlic rounded out all the flavors with a husky bellow. The pepper rub was a delight and packed a slight punch, tilted my head with complex flavor thinking. It wasn't something I could serve the boys with their "tender" (read: undeveloped) palate. But brother, or sister, this juicy delectable is absolutely divine poured over a more than heaping pile of buttery mashed taters, even perfect for a mid July festival.

fini

A year ago I received a nice email from a guy who was working for a large ad firm, who was in turn working for a grill manufacturing company. He wanted to know if I was interested in posting about some fancy grills. I took a look and they were propane, even the charcoal versions weren't much to speak of. I passed.

Forward to today and the same gentleman emailed me again, wanted to know if I remembered. I did, and had saved his email from last time. This time he's working with Mug Rootbeer, wants to know if I'm interested in a BBQ Sauce recipe. For trying out the recipe, he'll send me a Mug Rootbeer cooler filled with nearly all the ingredients to make it.

Sure, what the hell, count me in.

At first glance the recipe actually looked decent, I was surprised. I didn't really know what to expect. If it sucked, I was going to rework it and see if I could have some fun, post or no post. If it was decent enough, I'd give credit where credit was due. It was good and the other 6 tasters felt the same. Good Sauce.

One of the benefits of this recipe is that while it does have a good list of ingredients, it doesn't lean heavily in one direction. Got a good sweet background, tasty tang where it's wanted with a little swing of fun in the middle. Yeah, yeah, I know. It's got the liquid smoke, a controversial ingredient. As my sister says, "Don't add too much ya bone and it's fine, small amounts." Or just don't add it. And as near as I can tell, it's very reproducible. When I was simmering it down, I lost track of time and volume. Stirred it and tasted, worked out just fine.

If I were to try this again, I'd add a tablespoonful of the red pepper flakes to make it jump. Oh, yes. Please click on, Mug Rootbeer BBQ Sauce Recipe to view and print the card.

I surely have no idea where this recipe came from, I made it and it was good.

Biggles

Editors Note: Yeah, confused? I didn't know how to title this one either. I received this email the other day and was really blown away, I did tear up. We all make jokes, tell "stories" and enjoy the Meaty Lifestyle. But how many of you, and raise your hands, where meat has come in to your life and given you a venue to share the last life & times with a loved one before they pass?

I asked for permission to post this email and to post an image. Please read on and dare to keep a dry eye.

Hey Biggles,

First, I have to say a huge 'Thank You' for telling me about subscribing to Toponia's weekly newsletter for the Fatted Calf a couple years before she and Taylor took the leap and started their operations in Napa. I *so* looked forward to reading her updates and although it wasn't convenient to hit the SF Farmer's Market, I knew that one day, I'd get to taste their their products.
Move ahead to a year ago. The Fatted Calf has been running at the Oxbow Public Market for a while, and my dad, who was living in the Yountville Veterans Home was talking to me about Charcuterie and stoking the fires of meat love. I made a promise to create a nice Cheese Board lunch the next weekend, and so, finally stopped by the Fatted Calf for sausage.
Bailey was working the counter, barely two weeks into her start with the 'Calf. I sampled my way through just about all that was available that week and ended up buying more than a pound of some of the most wonderful sausage I'd had in many, many years. I was sold.
Stopping at the 'Calf on my way to visit my father became a habit very quickly.
Sadly, my father passed away on April 21st. I thought that I might not head over to Napa so much, but then, I got the heads up from Toponia about their first ever, up-n-coming Basic Pig Butchery and Sausage Making class. Lemme tell ya, I grabbed the phone so fast it set records in three states. I thought it would be a nice way to keep fond memories of hanging out with my dad over exceptional food.

The class was wonderful. Taylor, Toponia and the rest of the crew are fine people indeed. I had such a good time, I'm tempted to volunteer for them sometime.

Thanks so much for sharing your love of meat.

Best to you and yours,

-CM

Eidtor's Note: Please take a moment and hoist a cool refreshing beverage to CM and his father, a moment of silence and respect.

Hi Everyone!

Wanted to stop by and say hi to everyone, Hi! While I do have a few posts in the wings awaiting some inspiration, we're not up to much here at Meathenge Labs. Cooking for me these days consists of burgers, a red sauce sphaghetti dinner and calling Mountain Mike's Pizza. Sad, yet true. In any case, the boys and I are doing fine, I'm not driving nearly 500 miles a week (until school starts in a few months).

Here's Tiny E's feet as he's sleeping, right now. Sleepy Summer Mornings, ain't they grand?

xo, Biggles