Weekly Cooking (and related issues) Thread

[Jamestown1630]

We’ve got some family issues – brother in hospital – and I won’t be able to do much on the thread this week. But here’s a link to a very beautiful ‘nachos’ preparation, from Almazan Kitchen. While we don't make them in this same elaborate way - or out in the forest! - Nachos (or Tacos) are among our favorite fast, go-to weeknight dinners:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldjquhxwIEo

-JT

[CottonBall]

oh thanks. The one from the Portuguese place was really beautiful, you could get rock or brick all around the outside. But I think you got that at the expense of how well built it was :-(. I meant to say forno bravo in my previous post. They are expensive but I figure it might last. Especially with the four seasons here – being from Southern California I’m still not used to those!

LOL it’s view ;)

This is its view these days!

[MomwithHope]

I’ve looked at that size which would be good for us too. definitely want one with a lid that will hold coals.

[pugmama]

I grew up in Canada and this was comfort food st times. My Mom made a version if this at home:

http://www.perpetuallyhungryblog.com/2015/07/03/short-rib-poutine/

[pugmama]

This is a husband favorite. I use the end pieces of bacon you can get at Trader Joes’s if I can’t find the slab bacon. I reduce the sugar in it to our taste. Sometimes I will add TJ’s frozen roasted corn to the taco ingredients.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018991-slab-bacon-tacos-with-burned-scallion-crema

[leaning conservative]

When I get home I will watch the video. Why are nachos so delicious??!! I discovered a week ago that the sour cream (Daisy, my favorite) had expired 2 months ago. It smelled great & looked great, BUT the great find was how thick it was & the intensified flavor. Amazing!

Prayers for your brother.

[Jamestown1630]

Thank you.

I’ve been surprised at how long sour cream and even whipping cream last in the fridge these days.

[Ellendra]

There's an alternative, since your fire pit is probably going to be in the same place every time. You could use a reflector oven to do your baking in,and save the dutch oven for stews.

You can get reflector ovens pre-made, or make your own using half a metal barrel. I once made a mini one using the top half of a camping grill. It was already the right shape, I just added a rack to hold the baking dish.

Here are some examples: http://scoutmastercg.com/reflector_ovens/

This isn't mine, but it's almost the same shape. Mine used a wire rack, and sat a little lower so the food was in the center, not just the shelf:

[FreedomPoster]

Brasstown Valley Resort in North Georgia (USA) has one in the lobby that’s getting to that scale. Minus the hangers and cooking implements.

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/0c/f1/3c/fe/lobby-fireplace.jpg

If you’re ever driving I-24 just a tad west of Chattanooga, do not fail to stop in at the Lodge factory outlet store in South Pittsburgh, TN. There are other Lodge “factory outlet” locations, typically at outlet malls, but this is THE one. It’s a couple blocks from the foundry, and is all kinds of fun. I’ve filled up shopping carts there on a couple occasions.

[Liz]

CUTE BREAK

This is a cake.

[Jamestown1630]

There is NEVER any required topic to stick to on this thread - it’s a free-for-all; I just try to start off with something to get y’all talking ;-)

[lizma2]

Bought some cheese curds a few years ago. Very Tasty.

Gotta try this if I can find the curds!!!!!

[CottonBall]

free for all, lol! that is how it turns out. there is such a variety of topics!

how is your brother doing?

[boatbums]

So there’s no mention of dealing with the ashes all over your clothes, smoke in your eyes, or accidentally dropping the food in the dirt?

Isn't ashes on your food just called "Boy Scout pepper"?

[miss marmelstein]

I had Brunswick stew in Owensboro, Kentucky in a restaurant famous for it. It was mutton-based, I think.

[Hiskid]

That is exciting! What kind of pizza oven did you get?

[MomwithHope]

Sometimes to relax I watch a few cake decorating videos on youtube. Fun to watch.

[Liz]

Will check them out.

[MomwithHope]

They are all at fast speed with music. One channel I like is TwinVid

[Jamestown1630]

Brother is doing much better, but not quite released into the wild yet; when he is, he’ll probably be staying here for a while, so we’re turning the dining room into ‘recuperate’ space.

I’m very grateful for everyone’s concern and for all the prayers sent up.

(If I can’t keep up with the thread in coming weeks, would you and/or Yaelle like to carry on for a little while?)

[leaning conservative]

This is a hungry girl!