Spicy Mango Pork

One of my favorite places to shop in the Raleigh area is Savory Spice Shop.  I recently tried one of their sauces, Spicy Mango in a marinade for some boneless pork chops.

Marinade: - 4tbls Spicy Mango Sauce, 2tbs Chipotle Powder, 2tbls Honey, 1tbs EVOO.

 

 

 Grill off on low heat, throw on some fresh yellow squash:

Add to that some stone ground Grits and you get a great meal:

Trying new Foods

These past few weeks have been all about fresh vegetables and the local farmer's markets. From local eggs to fresh strawberries to the first crops of vegetables I love this time of year.

Two weeks ago, we were home visiting my parents and were able to pick about 4 gallons of strawberries and somehow managed to talk them out of a dozen eggs.  They just started raising layers this year.

This past weekend we found some amazing jams and home made raviolis from the local downtown Wake Forest farmer's market.  I picked up a jalapeno/garlic jam that I used to create the best white pizza we have ever had.

Braised Beef Short Ribs w/Chatham Hill Cab

In keeping with cooking from local food supplies, tonight I am braising some beef short ribs from Walters in Meban, NC in the best local Raleigh wine from Chatham Hill Winery. I used their 08' Cabernet Sauvignon.  I seared off the meat, added some root vegetables, de-glazed with the wine, add enough chicken stock but don't completely cover the meat.  Simmer or bake at 250 for about 3 or 4 hours depending on the size of the ribs.

I am looking forward to trying more of Walters grass feed beef.  Their prices are very reasonable and you can't beat the quality. 

The trick for these is after you braise them for about 4 hours, remove the meat.  If you have the time, stain the liquid from the braise and reduce by half for a fantastic gravy.  The less you keep the quicker it reduces down. A cup or less is a good amount to start with.  You can always thicken with starch.

While the gravy is reducing, clean the meat from the bone and remove any extra fat.  In a non stick saute pan add 3tbls butter, 2tbls honey, 1tbls of you favorite BBQ sauce and heat to a simmer.  Add the meat and cover with the sticky goodness and finish off in a 400 deg oven for about 10 minutes.  OMG.

Taste of the Beach - NC Outer Banks

This past march the wife and I and her brother spent a long weekend in the outer banks during their food and drink festival called Taste of the Beach.  We had a great time visiting and eating at some great restaurants.  I highly recommend to anyone who is remotely foodie like attend this event.  If nothing else you should make it to the finale where most of the food and drink establishments are represented.  We were exposed to some tremendous food some of which was presented by chefs for the first time.

Event photo gallery:

My own photos:

My best time was the 3 hours we spent at Sanctuary Vineyards with owner John Wright and the time he spent with us on the tour and the blending and tasting from the barrel(s).  We had a great time and for the record Stephen, April's brother, won the blending contest. 

Wine Aeration

This is a great article about how aerators work. I have three types from the very basic decanter to the more modern and real time models.

http://www.homewinemakinghq.com/winemaking-tips/do-you-need-an-aerator-for-wine/

Check out this wineries' selections:

Here are three types that I use at home.   I like my Vinturi the best in that it has a screen filter but I use my Soriee the most for it's convenience of use.

Winter Snow Fall - Raleigh NC

It has been more than 30 plus years since I can remember this much snow this early in the year. NC was hammered this past week on Christmas Day. I live in the suburbs North of Raleigh and here are some of the pics the wife took around our home.

Annual Christmas Party

The wife and I love to entertain and this weekend is our annual Christmas party. Each year we try to come up with something different for the menu that we feel most of our guests have not tried but one thing we will be serving again is our Mulled Wine. It was a great hit last year.

We like to feature local NC wine from Chatham Hill and the Yadkin Valley region.


More to follow.....

Merry Christmas and God Bless

Here are some pics during setup and of the food:

Just about there with the setup

NC Wines for the heated mulled wine. Always a big hit.

Oatmeal cranberry cookies

Carmel cranberry and pecan popcorn

Boston Butt around the 5th hour on the grill.
The white specs are actually snow.
I use indirect heat with pecan and apple wood.
I smoked it to 135 deg the day before and the slowly brought it
back up to temp the day in a 10Qt electric roaster.