April 28, 2008
It's time to get outside and enjoy Spring. Of course, that also means enjoying the smell and taste of food cooked on a bar-b-q grill. I thought I would go to the experts and get some tips to pass along so that we all can cook out on the grill and not turn everything into a cinder or have the meat holler at us when we go to cut it.
Now, when I say expert...I mean expert. I visited my good friend Chris Lilly at Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur to get the tips and a couple of recipes. Chris is the Head Chef of Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q team...the same team that has won many championships including,Grand Champion at Memphis in May twice, 5 times best pork shoulder, plus best sauce there.Chris and his team also took best ribs at the Houston Round-up...it's unheard of a team from east of the Mississippi to win out in Texas...their sauce has won practically every KCBS competition there is and Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q was named best in the nation in a competition held by the New York Times. Actually they have won so many titles, it would take two days to list them all.
Anyway...Chris and I had a great time talking about the differences between grilling and Barbecuing and sharing some recipes.
Speaking of recipes...here's a couple Chris sends along for you to try out at home...believe me,
you will love them and remember..it's ok to experiment with them. By the way, if you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share with our viewers, please feel free to send them to me so that I can post them.
Here you are...Enjoy!!!
Grilled Chops with Apple-Cranberry Maple Glaze
Experts Note: This can be made with either bone-in pork chops or boneless pork loin cut about 1 inch thick. The Apple cider brine will ensure your chops will not dry out when grilled over hot charcoal. The fruity sweet glaze made from Apple sauce, cranberry sauce, and maple syrup is a perfect compliment to the brined pork. For a healthier entrée, try the chops without the sweet sauce.
Makes: 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes, plus 12-24 hours for brine
Cook time: 16 minutes
Ingredients:
6 Bone-in Pork Chops or Boneless Loin Chops (1 inch thick)
Brine
2 cups water
2 cups apple cider
2 ½ tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tablespoon thyme leaves (dry spice)
3 teaspoons cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (dry spice)
6 allspice berries (dry spice)
1/2 bay leaf
Sauce
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup cranberry sauce
½ cup apple sauce
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1/16 teaspoon red pepper
Mix Brine ingredients and stir well. Place chops in brine and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
In a small pan add sauce ingredients and mix well. Heat until mixture is warm. Reserve ½ cup of sauce for plating.
Build a charcoal fire for direct grilling. Grill chops directly over coals (approximately 450 degrees F) for 8 minutes on each side. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, baste both sides of the chops well with sauce. Internal temperature of chops should reach 150-155 degrees prior to removing from grill.
Drizzle reserve sauce over chops when serving or serve warm on the side.
Sweet & Spicy Pineapple BBQ Ribs
2 slabs of baby back ribs or St Louis cut spare ribs
Dry rub marinade
¼ cup dark brown sugar 1 ½ cups pineapple juice
¼ cup paprika
3 TBL garlic salt
1 TBL onion salt finishing glaze
1 TBL chili powder ½ cup Big Bob Gibson Championship Red Sauce
½ TBL cayenne pepper 2 TBL Honey
½ TBL black pepper
1 tsp oregano
½ tsp white pepper
½ tsp cumin
Raw Preparation
Place slab of ribs bone side down on table. Slide knife under the membrane an against the end bone to separate the two. With a dry paper towel or rag, grasp the edge of the thin membrane and pull. The entire membrane should separate from the rib.
Combine rub and mix well or use Big Bob Gibson Seasoning and Dry Rub. Generously apply rub onto the front and back sides of ribs. Gently pat to ensure that rub will adhere. Preheat smoker to 250 degrees. Place ribs meat-side up on grate and cook for 2 hours 15 min.
Remove ribs from smoker. Place each rib meat-side down on its own doubled aluminum foil square. Foil should be large enough to completely wrap rib. Mix the marinade. Pour ¾ cup of pineapple juice over each rib. At the same time wrap and seal each rib tight. Place back in smoker for 1 hour.
Remove wrapped ribs from smoker. Remove from foil and apply a light shake of rub to the meat-side of the ribs. Place uncovered in the smoker meat-side up for 30 min.
Remove ribs from smoker. Brush finishing glaze on both sides of ribs. Place ribs in smoker for 15 min., or until sauce caramelizes. (yields 4-6 servings)
Recipes provided by Chris Lilly – www.bigbobgibson.com
For more helpful tips and recipes visit www.mealstogether.com
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Tigers for Tomorrow
Sunday March 16th, 2008
First off, I guess I had better give everyone the dates to cut the wild onions for April. March's dates have already come and gone. According to the "Old Farmer's Almanac" the dates to get rid of pests and weeds...(wild onions fall under both of these categories in my book)...are April 5th and 6th. Once again, no guarantees...just passing along the word that many folks swear by every year.
Heads-up....Don't miss tomorrow's Newschannel 19 This Morning. I am visiting "Tigers for Tomorrow" an Exotic Animal Park and Rescue Preserve. It is a two part Robert on the Road and you are going to love it!!! This is a fantastic place to take the kids or yourself if you care about wild animals at all. Susan and Wilbur McCauley, the owners and operators of the Preserve have spent a total of 32 years rescuing and caring for animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, wolves that have been either retired from animal shows or turned out by people who thought they could be made into pets. It is very educational and really cool to watch the interaction with these animals.
This would make a great field trip for school kids, church groups or just families...I am putting their website here so that you can learn more. www.TigersForTomorrow.org
I hope you get to watch the program, I know you will enjoy it.
First off, I guess I had better give everyone the dates to cut the wild onions for April. March's dates have already come and gone. According to the "Old Farmer's Almanac" the dates to get rid of pests and weeds...(wild onions fall under both of these categories in my book)...are April 5th and 6th. Once again, no guarantees...just passing along the word that many folks swear by every year.
Heads-up....Don't miss tomorrow's Newschannel 19 This Morning. I am visiting "Tigers for Tomorrow" an Exotic Animal Park and Rescue Preserve. It is a two part Robert on the Road and you are going to love it!!! This is a fantastic place to take the kids or yourself if you care about wild animals at all. Susan and Wilbur McCauley, the owners and operators of the Preserve have spent a total of 32 years rescuing and caring for animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, wolves that have been either retired from animal shows or turned out by people who thought they could be made into pets. It is very educational and really cool to watch the interaction with these animals.
This would make a great field trip for school kids, church groups or just families...I am putting their website here so that you can learn more. www.TigersForTomorrow.org
I hope you get to watch the program, I know you will enjoy it.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Cut The Wild Onions
Thursday March 5th, 2008
Ok, I guess it's that time again, at least based on the number of e-mails and phone calls I have received in the last couple of weeks. What am I talking about? Cutting the wild onions, of course.
Yes, it is time to cut the wild onions so that they don't take over your yard later this spring. According to the "Old Farmer's Almanac" the days to cut the wild onions for March are this Saturday and Sunday...the 8th and 9th.
Based on the "Old Farmer's Almanac's" astrological charts, there are certain times that are best for just about everything, from planting, destroying pests and weeds, harvesting, ...to even getting your haircut. Back some years ago, my dad, Grady, started announcing the days to cut the wild onions. This has become such a tradition that some folks get real anxious if I forget to start talking about the dates a month or two ahead. The idea is that cutting the onions on the days when the moon is in the sign of the heart means that they will bleed to death and not come back. Now, whether it works or not is up for discussion, I know some folks that swear by it and some that swear at it. Notice I gave credit to the "Old Farmer's Almanac"...that way if it doesn't work, HEY, WHAT CAN I SAY...I just read their charts.
Anyway, once again, the dates are this weekend...the 8th and 9th so happy cutting. Oh, by the way, there will also be a couple of days in April to cut the onions, but supposedly those days don't work as well. I will include those dates a little closer to April so there is no confusion, in the meantime, good luck.
Ok, I guess it's that time again, at least based on the number of e-mails and phone calls I have received in the last couple of weeks. What am I talking about? Cutting the wild onions, of course.
Yes, it is time to cut the wild onions so that they don't take over your yard later this spring. According to the "Old Farmer's Almanac" the days to cut the wild onions for March are this Saturday and Sunday...the 8th and 9th.
Based on the "Old Farmer's Almanac's" astrological charts, there are certain times that are best for just about everything, from planting, destroying pests and weeds, harvesting, ...to even getting your haircut. Back some years ago, my dad, Grady, started announcing the days to cut the wild onions. This has become such a tradition that some folks get real anxious if I forget to start talking about the dates a month or two ahead. The idea is that cutting the onions on the days when the moon is in the sign of the heart means that they will bleed to death and not come back. Now, whether it works or not is up for discussion, I know some folks that swear by it and some that swear at it. Notice I gave credit to the "Old Farmer's Almanac"...that way if it doesn't work, HEY, WHAT CAN I SAY...I just read their charts.
Anyway, once again, the dates are this weekend...the 8th and 9th so happy cutting. Oh, by the way, there will also be a couple of days in April to cut the onions, but supposedly those days don't work as well. I will include those dates a little closer to April so there is no confusion, in the meantime, good luck.
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment
Thursday March 5th, 2008
Lowe Mill is one of the four major textile mills that fueled Huntsville's economy in the early 1900's. The mill was built in 1900 and employed entire families because each mill was a small community into itself. The mill would later become a shoe factory known as General Shoe. Then it became Genesco and even made boots for the military up into the 70's. Eventually the mill would fall on hard times and would stand virtually vacant except for a small manufacturing company that would use one part of the building. Enter Jim Hudson, he would buy the property and begin renovations to the inside and outside. His dream, to have a place for artists and entertainers to display their talents. The dream is well on the way as I can attest. From beautiful and amazing glass blowing to scuptures and paintings to all of the folks involved with the "Flying Monkey Arts" there is something for everyone. The Flying Monkey even has a new theater that features entertainment each weekend. Oh, and don't forget Tina's Cantina...great food available for dinner and soon for lunch as well. You can enjoy the food outside in the courtyard. For more info, check out these websites: www.lowemill.net and www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
Lowe Mill is one of the four major textile mills that fueled Huntsville's economy in the early 1900's. The mill was built in 1900 and employed entire families because each mill was a small community into itself. The mill would later become a shoe factory known as General Shoe. Then it became Genesco and even made boots for the military up into the 70's. Eventually the mill would fall on hard times and would stand virtually vacant except for a small manufacturing company that would use one part of the building. Enter Jim Hudson, he would buy the property and begin renovations to the inside and outside. His dream, to have a place for artists and entertainers to display their talents. The dream is well on the way as I can attest. From beautiful and amazing glass blowing to scuptures and paintings to all of the folks involved with the "Flying Monkey Arts" there is something for everyone. The Flying Monkey even has a new theater that features entertainment each weekend. Oh, and don't forget Tina's Cantina...great food available for dinner and soon for lunch as well. You can enjoy the food outside in the courtyard. For more info, check out these websites: www.lowemill.net and www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Special Needs Kids Dance
Saturday March 1, 2008
Friends, I am writing this to tell you about a wonderful group of teenagers that I had the opportunity to spend some time with Friday night. The guys and gals of the Junior Civitan clubs from Huntsville and Grissom High Schools hosted a dance for the special needs students that attend those two schools. Also sponsoring the dance were the members of the Huntsville Civitans and the Friendship Civitans, a group of special needs adults. Everybody had a great time and I am not sure who had the biggest grins on their faces...the students or the parents of the students. I do know this, the Junior Civitan members were great the way they paired off with the special needs students and adults and had them dancing and singing for two solid hours.Believe me when I say, based on the way these teenagers interacted and genuinely cared about their guests, the fuure of America is in some very capable, caring and compassionate hands. My stepson Jeff, who is autistic, had so much fun I was afraid we weren't going to be able to get him to leave. He commandeered one of the microphones and sang along with every song that was played. Jacque and I were grinning so big our faces hurt.
I can't begin to thank the young ladies and young men of the Junior Civitan Clubs enough for their positive and enthusiastic attitudes and the way they accept and encourage the special needs students. My hats off to you, Junior Civitan Clubs of Huntsville and Grissom High Schools.
Friends, I am writing this to tell you about a wonderful group of teenagers that I had the opportunity to spend some time with Friday night. The guys and gals of the Junior Civitan clubs from Huntsville and Grissom High Schools hosted a dance for the special needs students that attend those two schools. Also sponsoring the dance were the members of the Huntsville Civitans and the Friendship Civitans, a group of special needs adults. Everybody had a great time and I am not sure who had the biggest grins on their faces...the students or the parents of the students. I do know this, the Junior Civitan members were great the way they paired off with the special needs students and adults and had them dancing and singing for two solid hours.Believe me when I say, based on the way these teenagers interacted and genuinely cared about their guests, the fuure of America is in some very capable, caring and compassionate hands. My stepson Jeff, who is autistic, had so much fun I was afraid we weren't going to be able to get him to leave. He commandeered one of the microphones and sang along with every song that was played. Jacque and I were grinning so big our faces hurt.
I can't begin to thank the young ladies and young men of the Junior Civitan Clubs enough for their positive and enthusiastic attitudes and the way they accept and encourage the special needs students. My hats off to you, Junior Civitan Clubs of Huntsville and Grissom High Schools.
Move It
Saturday March 1, 2008
I hope you are enjoying our Move It segments and are getting some incentive to join us in our quest to get healthy. Please feel free to let me know if you have any ideas, suggestions or comments for us concerning these segments.Our production guys, Jonathon and Zach along with the head honcho Lori are truly creative, but it never hurts to have other ideas in the mix. By the way, I am adding a couple of attachments from Mary Martin Nordness of the Southeast Dairy Assoc. These are good charts to hang onto when planning your diet.
I hope you are enjoying our Move It segments and are getting some incentive to join us in our quest to get healthy. Please feel free to let me know if you have any ideas, suggestions or comments for us concerning these segments.Our production guys, Jonathon and Zach along with the head honcho Lori are truly creative, but it never hurts to have other ideas in the mix. By the way, I am adding a couple of attachments from Mary Martin Nordness of the Southeast Dairy Assoc. These are good charts to hang onto when planning your diet.
http://whnt.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/news/health/Guide_to_good_eating.pdf
http://whnt.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/news/health/Healthier_Eating.pdf
I hope these help with getting you up moving toward a healthier life for you and your family.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Severe Weather Awareness Week
Thursday, February 21st
The National Weather Service is working very hard to bring our attention to severe weather awareness. This is Severe Weather Awareness week in North Alabama. Do you have a weather radio? If not, it would be a good idea for you to get one. The more ways that you can be alerted to severe weather the better. Most Weather radios have a back-up battery power system that takes over when the power goes out...that is if you make sure the battery is in place and hooked up. There are more good tips that you can find out about from the National Weather Service by going to their website,
http://weather.gov/huntsville , including how to put together a survival kit and where to go in your house that will offer you the most safety in case of severe weather. Help us at Newschannel 19 and the National Weather Service help you be safe, check out the tips and put them to use. By the way, the National Weather Service in Huntsville is having an open house March 8th. It is open to the public and free. You can check out more info on their website.
The National Weather Service is working very hard to bring our attention to severe weather awareness. This is Severe Weather Awareness week in North Alabama. Do you have a weather radio? If not, it would be a good idea for you to get one. The more ways that you can be alerted to severe weather the better. Most Weather radios have a back-up battery power system that takes over when the power goes out...that is if you make sure the battery is in place and hooked up. There are more good tips that you can find out about from the National Weather Service by going to their website,
http://weather.gov/huntsville , including how to put together a survival kit and where to go in your house that will offer you the most safety in case of severe weather. Help us at Newschannel 19 and the National Weather Service help you be safe, check out the tips and put them to use. By the way, the National Weather Service in Huntsville is having an open house March 8th. It is open to the public and free. You can check out more info on their website.
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