This weekend I decided to do some cooking for the family. The menu includes:
Smoked Brisket
Smoked Leg of Lamb
Glazed Salmon
Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Jasmine Rice
BBQ Baked Beans
Pancit Noodles (courtesy of my parents)
Roasted Fennel (courtesy of my brother)
Fresh Fruit
Key Lime Cheesecake (from Costco)
I have only done 3 briskets on my smoker thus far. I have tried all kinds of methods and for my 4th brisket, I am going to use a Minion basket, keep the temp at around 225, and wrap in foil at 160.
7:00 am - Brisket came out of the fridge
- Started fire in smoker
9:00 am - Smoker came to temp at 230. Put brisket in the smoker.
10:00 am - Pushed lit coals over and refueled the Minion basket. Brisket is around 110.
noon - Again, refueled. Brisket is around 140.
2:00 pm - Brisket hit its first plateau at 160.
3:00 pm - Refueled.
4:00 pm - Brisket finally climbed over 160.
- Foiled Brisket
6:00 pm - Refueled.
7:00 pm - Brisket is at 195.
- Did a fork test and it is still tough.
8:00 pm - Refueled. I did a small refuel thinking that that the brisket will be done soon.
- Brisket hit second plateau at 197.
- It backed off to 189. This always frustrates me and I always seem to pull the trigger too quickly, but this time Im staying the course.
- I did a fork test. The flat is still tough, although the point is pretty tender. Im beginning to wonder if I hadn't overcooked it...Im still going to stay the course...
9:00 pm - Brisket is down to 186 now...ungh...trying hard to fight temptation to pull trigger...
- DOH!...Thinking I was done earlier, I put up my wood chunks into my charcoal bag for tomorrows Leg of Lamb, but seeing that my brisket had hit a second plateau, I needed to refuel again. Unfortunately, when I poured charcoal in, I forgot my wood chunks were in the bag too. Adding cold wood to a fire will make a lot of smoke and could cause some strange flavors. I suppose Im ok because the brisket is in foil. Now I have to watch for the temp spike.
- Ambient temp is dropping. Keeping the smoker up to temp is proving to be a challenge.
10:00 pm - Well, the whole temp thing was killing me, so I posted on to www.texasbbqforum.com and got some really great advice. One of the regulars, OSD, recommended that I put the probe in different places to make sure that I hadn't pushed the probe into a fat pocket or too close to the edge. In my smoke filled stupor, I didn't even think about checking other places. Turns out that I had indeed had a long way to go as the temp read 175 in other places. So much for being close to done. Anyway...I repositioned the probe and adjusted the dampeners.
11:00 pm - Probe is reading 182 now. I think I should be done in another hour or so if everything holds up... Its getting windy outside and this is causing havoc with my fire. Im also getting tired.
12:00 pm - Ok, enoughs enough. The flat part of the brisket is tender, but it looks like it might be drying out. It read 188, but when I moved the probe, it went down to 174. I also moved my probes around the smoker, and I have lost faith in the probes. I suppose its time to spend money on a real therm. I pulled the brisket and now its sitting in a cooler wrapped in foil. Im going to just have to wait till tomorrow morning to see how it turned out. I am disheartened, but still hopeful.
Time for a shower and bed.
-ikiru
*enjoy the sauce*
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Is it the end of the week yet?
Dental Day
So, thursday, I spent the day sitting in a chair with Loryn sticking her fingers in my mouth and probing my gums. Yes, she was my Dental Hygienist du jour as I went in for my 6 month checkup. She is very nice, but I always feel awkward having a conversation while they work...its kinda hard to get a word in edgewise when they have their hands in your mouth. Either way, she is very good and my cleaning went without problems. However, the Dentist...well call him Dentist Danny, came in and reminded me that I still have $1400+ worth of work to do. Another reminder of how my childhood is coming back to haunt me. Kids, if you happen to read this, floss! Floss like crazy! Deep cleanings and root canals are not fun. Did I mention floss? Now, I sit at my desk with a pack of "Plackers" and pick at my teeth every time I think about it. I know that this sounds kinda gross, but, hey, I don't get many visitors to my cube and if I do, flossing with a "Placker" is visually more appealing than flossing with floss. "Oh, hey Bill, let me get this string out of my mouth first..." If you still think this is kinda off-putting, try getting a couple of deep cleanings and a root canal and see if your opinion changes :p
Athletics
Last night I played some open gym volleyball in Richardson. I was "forced" to play middle. If you have ever played volleyball at a competitive level, you know that the middle jumps on every play. Needless to say, I am extremely tired today. Plus, this morning was "Plyo Day" so I think Im going to just hang out in my cube...flossing.
I weighed in at under 202lbs yesterday. From when I started being "healthy" back in November, I have lost around 16lbs. My goal is 198...so, I should reach that within a month or 2. I think my new Plyo program is working not only to strengthen my legs for volleyball, but to help me lose weight as well...they say jumping rope can burn 1000 calories per hour...now, if I could jump rope for an hour, I would be set!
Family
The girls are doing well. Lisa was telling me that Aly really liked her swimming lesson. Also, potty training is coming along nicely. In fact, Lisa told me that Aly refused to go in her pullup while at the store. She actually held it while Lisa found a key to the store restroom! Our goal of getting her trained before we have another is looking to be well in reach.
Gaming
Next week is game night at Jason's house, but I won't be going because its Easter weekend. I really wanted to try out Pandemic, but I guess Ill have to wait til April.
Food
Last night was Pizza night! I like Pizza night because its so easy. Just pull it out of the freezer and plop it into the oven. I have still yet been able to justify the time it takes to make home made pizza...but Im sure a new Kitchenaid Mixer might help in that department.
I think tonight we are going to grill some burgers.
Kroger is having a 99¢/lb Brisket sale this weekend. Im thinking about buying a couple and cranking up the smoker.
Ah well...blog entry #2 is in the books. Im still pretty random and chatty, but Im hoping over time Ill be able to weed out the crud and actually produce a blog that is semi-entertaining (not that anyone reads this anyway).
-ikiru
*enjoy the sauce*
So, thursday, I spent the day sitting in a chair with Loryn sticking her fingers in my mouth and probing my gums. Yes, she was my Dental Hygienist du jour as I went in for my 6 month checkup. She is very nice, but I always feel awkward having a conversation while they work...its kinda hard to get a word in edgewise when they have their hands in your mouth. Either way, she is very good and my cleaning went without problems. However, the Dentist...well call him Dentist Danny, came in and reminded me that I still have $1400+ worth of work to do. Another reminder of how my childhood is coming back to haunt me. Kids, if you happen to read this, floss! Floss like crazy! Deep cleanings and root canals are not fun. Did I mention floss? Now, I sit at my desk with a pack of "Plackers" and pick at my teeth every time I think about it. I know that this sounds kinda gross, but, hey, I don't get many visitors to my cube and if I do, flossing with a "Placker" is visually more appealing than flossing with floss. "Oh, hey Bill, let me get this string out of my mouth first..." If you still think this is kinda off-putting, try getting a couple of deep cleanings and a root canal and see if your opinion changes :p
Athletics
Last night I played some open gym volleyball in Richardson. I was "forced" to play middle. If you have ever played volleyball at a competitive level, you know that the middle jumps on every play. Needless to say, I am extremely tired today. Plus, this morning was "Plyo Day" so I think Im going to just hang out in my cube...flossing.
I weighed in at under 202lbs yesterday. From when I started being "healthy" back in November, I have lost around 16lbs. My goal is 198...so, I should reach that within a month or 2. I think my new Plyo program is working not only to strengthen my legs for volleyball, but to help me lose weight as well...they say jumping rope can burn 1000 calories per hour...now, if I could jump rope for an hour, I would be set!
Family
The girls are doing well. Lisa was telling me that Aly really liked her swimming lesson. Also, potty training is coming along nicely. In fact, Lisa told me that Aly refused to go in her pullup while at the store. She actually held it while Lisa found a key to the store restroom! Our goal of getting her trained before we have another is looking to be well in reach.
Gaming
Next week is game night at Jason's house, but I won't be going because its Easter weekend. I really wanted to try out Pandemic, but I guess Ill have to wait til April.
Food
Last night was Pizza night! I like Pizza night because its so easy. Just pull it out of the freezer and plop it into the oven. I have still yet been able to justify the time it takes to make home made pizza...but Im sure a new Kitchenaid Mixer might help in that department.
I think tonight we are going to grill some burgers.
Kroger is having a 99¢/lb Brisket sale this weekend. Im thinking about buying a couple and cranking up the smoker.
Ah well...blog entry #2 is in the books. Im still pretty random and chatty, but Im hoping over time Ill be able to weed out the crud and actually produce a blog that is semi-entertaining (not that anyone reads this anyway).
-ikiru
*enjoy the sauce*
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Oh hey! Everyone else seems to be doing it!
Today is the birth of my blog...proving once again, I am no match for peer pressure... peer pressure 1000 - ikiru 2 (I didn't do drugs and I don't have credit card debt).
I suppose today is as good as any to start a blog. The winter indoor volleyball season came to a close last night. We got second place as our team was decimated by schedule conflicts and injury. The first place team was really good, but I felt that we had as good a chance to beat them as any if we were full strength. Oh well...well get 'em next time!
I hit the gym today for lunch. I always feel extra motivated the day after volleyball season ends. Last season end, I vowed to lose 10 pounds, and achieved my goal, plus some. This time, Im vowing to lose a bit more, plus really increase my vertical. I've started a jump program three weeks ago and it seems to be helping. Today was leg day. Because of the post season motivation, I really pushed myself and Im on the verge of suffering at work. Thank goodness I have a desk job!
Last night, Alycea (my 2 year old daughter) and I were playing with her shape sorter...you know, the toy where you have to put plastic shapes into holes only designed for them. Previously, she really had no idea that the shapes were different, just that somehow, if she wiggled a piece enough, it would fit into a hole. Yesterday, however, she was able to visually match the piece with its proper hole and do the game by herself. In fact, we had just pulled it out when I had to get up to briefly take care of something on the stove. When I got back, she had already put in three pieces by herself. I couldn't believe it! She made Daddy proud. Even Mommy was surprised...and she spends the whole day with her. Aly is getting smart, and I'm positive Mommy has a lot to do with that. Unfortunately, Mommy has her limitations when it comes to computers, so I will just have to pick up the slack. I heard toddlers pick up languages quickly, so I'm thinking of getting her into C# as fast as possible. I think programming is a good thing to teach her. It will increase her problem solving skills and overall intelligence. Plus, if my experience has any truth to it, it will keep her from dating...hmm...maybe a CHS and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu may be a better option.
Wow! One can really waste a lot of time on these blogs...I suppose if you made it this far, you are proof...and no, you can't get your 5 minutes back.
I've been reading up on a game called Pandemic. One of my gaming buddies got it for his birthday. Its basically a co-operative game about finding cures for 4 major pandemics before they destroy the world. Sounds interesting and it is well received by the BoardGameGeek.com community. I'm not sure how I feel about co-operative games as I have fallen out of favor of the last few offerings that have crossed my plate (Shadows Over Camelot, Vanished Planet, Lord of the Rings), but this one promises short playing time and intense action. I hope to play it at the next Game Day.
Well, I suppose this is enough for my first blog. I didn't want to set the bar too high, but blogging can be a bit addictive. Till next time!
-ikiru
*enjoy the sauce*
I suppose today is as good as any to start a blog. The winter indoor volleyball season came to a close last night. We got second place as our team was decimated by schedule conflicts and injury. The first place team was really good, but I felt that we had as good a chance to beat them as any if we were full strength. Oh well...well get 'em next time!
I hit the gym today for lunch. I always feel extra motivated the day after volleyball season ends. Last season end, I vowed to lose 10 pounds, and achieved my goal, plus some. This time, Im vowing to lose a bit more, plus really increase my vertical. I've started a jump program three weeks ago and it seems to be helping. Today was leg day. Because of the post season motivation, I really pushed myself and Im on the verge of suffering at work. Thank goodness I have a desk job!
Last night, Alycea (my 2 year old daughter) and I were playing with her shape sorter...you know, the toy where you have to put plastic shapes into holes only designed for them. Previously, she really had no idea that the shapes were different, just that somehow, if she wiggled a piece enough, it would fit into a hole. Yesterday, however, she was able to visually match the piece with its proper hole and do the game by herself. In fact, we had just pulled it out when I had to get up to briefly take care of something on the stove. When I got back, she had already put in three pieces by herself. I couldn't believe it! She made Daddy proud. Even Mommy was surprised...and she spends the whole day with her. Aly is getting smart, and I'm positive Mommy has a lot to do with that. Unfortunately, Mommy has her limitations when it comes to computers, so I will just have to pick up the slack. I heard toddlers pick up languages quickly, so I'm thinking of getting her into C# as fast as possible. I think programming is a good thing to teach her. It will increase her problem solving skills and overall intelligence. Plus, if my experience has any truth to it, it will keep her from dating...hmm...maybe a CHS and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu may be a better option.
Wow! One can really waste a lot of time on these blogs...I suppose if you made it this far, you are proof...and no, you can't get your 5 minutes back.
I've been reading up on a game called Pandemic. One of my gaming buddies got it for his birthday. Its basically a co-operative game about finding cures for 4 major pandemics before they destroy the world. Sounds interesting and it is well received by the BoardGameGeek.com community. I'm not sure how I feel about co-operative games as I have fallen out of favor of the last few offerings that have crossed my plate (Shadows Over Camelot, Vanished Planet, Lord of the Rings), but this one promises short playing time and intense action. I hope to play it at the next Game Day.
Well, I suppose this is enough for my first blog. I didn't want to set the bar too high, but blogging can be a bit addictive. Till next time!
-ikiru
*enjoy the sauce*
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