Goulash on the drum

Talented friend Rolf in Germany shared his goulash recipe with me a few months ago. I've really been enjoying it. Thank you again Rolf!

2 1/2 lbs shanks (I use beef)
 2 1/2 lbs onions cubed
 5 cloves garlic
 1 tsp crushed caraway
 1 TBS marjoram
 1 tsp oregano
 4 TBS sweet paprika ( or more)
 1 TBS wine vinegar
 salt and pepper to taste
 1 tsp tomato paste
 lard
 broth

What I did...
saute onions in lard til brown, remove 1/2 of the onions and puree them. place them back into the pot, add minced garlic, caraway, oregano, paprika, vinegar, paste and a little bit of stock, Simmer for 30 minutes. Salt and pepper. Add cubed shanks and enough beef stock to come half way up the side of the meat. Simmer 2-3 hours or until tender. Stir every hour or so.

I let the goulash simmer in the drum..

The meat is fall off the bone tender, I love it!
 It's not like the macaroni, hamburger stuff that I grew up seeing here. lol
This goulash is one of my favorite new comfort meals. :)
Not sure if you will see this but Thank you again Rolf!

Christmas Dinner

Had a white Christmas this year! (Thanks Chris lol)
 It was a cold windy day and by the time I stepped outside to cook dinner the temps had dipped into the teens.  My plan was to have crab legs because they are my favorite food. I rate them right up there with bacon, chocolate and garlic. :)

I  baked a loaf of bread...

Lit some coals in the BPS drum and warmed the crab legs..

while the legs warmed I made a few twice baked potatoes..

then raised the hot coal basket on the drum to sear the steaks...

I didn't get a good pic of my plate. I also didn't make it to the steak or tatoes.... but I really enjoyed the crab legs and hot bread. :)


I managed to catch a cold that night too. Have been hiding under a blanket since Christmas but think I have the bug whipped now.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Early Merry Christmas!

Things have been busy around here and I want to tell everyone Merry Christmas while I have the chance.
Hope you have a nice holiday with friends and loved ones.
Remember, it's not about Hallmark cards and expensive gifts.

I know I say this often but give your loved ones a hug while you have them cornered. :)

Merry Christmas everybody!

End of the World?

Hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas! :)

Venison for the winter

Have this year's white tail deer cut up and bagged for winter use.  It's a nice feeling to have the meat on hand.

I left two of the back straps whole and cut the others into steaks..

I butterfly the steaks... make the first cut not all the way through, then the second cut...then  open the steak like a "book".

I ended up with about 50 steaks...

cubed meat for stew, burger, canning, etc..

saved the neck roasts whole...

bagged the front shoulders whole... they're pretty good roasted over a campfire.

I'm pretty happy!
It will be nice to have on hand this winter.


Hope everyone had a safe and successful season. :)

Playing with my food

Good ole spaghetti and meatballs....

simmered in beef stock...

It actually tasted better than it looked!  :)

I have a feeling cabin fever is setting in early this year.  :) 

Mad Hunky Grilled Ahi Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Kind of a big blog title. :)

Found some great looking Ahi tuna steaks at the store not long ago, I don't see these often so it was quite a treat for me.
First I let them marinade for a couple hours in olive oil, then seasoned with Mad Hunky General Purpose rub, and sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds.

heated up the Grill Mates on the Char Broil grill...
I like using these for fish.

I gave the Grill Mates a quick brush with oil before adding the Ahi...

Just seared them a short time on each side...

The tuna was soooo tasty.  Really loved the addition of Mad Hunky dry rub.. will do that again for sure!

I made the lettuce wrap with a bit of slaw dressed with an asian ginger onion dressing.

It was a nice treat!  Hope the store carries more ahi in the future. :)