New Years Cooking Battle
Its that time again. New Years fast approaches. I wanted to extend an invitation to everyone that does not have plans to the annual Pickens farm party. If anyone that I know is reading this and does not know what this party is all about or needs directions call me at 202-997-2354. This year the cook off will be pork tenderloin. At first I was unsure of this one but I have gotten excited. There is of course an oven and a wood fired grill at the farm. If you want to bring some unusal wood for yours feel free. We could wood grill it or build a smoker possibly. I am going to revisit a summer ritual from my childhood for mine - cooking by burying meat. The basic process is simple. We dig a 4-6 foot deep pit and build a huge fire in it. We add some bricks and rocks to space out the coals and keep some oxygen it it. We then put some chicken wire on top of the coals. All the meat is seasoned and wrapped very very tightly in aluminum foil. We then put the wrapped meat on top of the chicken wire. Then we put several layers of cardboard on top of all the meat. Finally we put all the dirt back on top. This sits for 1-2 days slowcooking. Then we dig it up and its the most tender meat on the planet. When I was a kid we would sleep on top of the mound while it was warmed from the fire in the earth. I will probaly due a boston butt as well. This is a great way to cook hams, whole chickens or turkeys, vegatbales etc as well. I will be going to the farm on Sunday after the wedding. If anyone would like to prepare some meat and wrap it I will bury it for you. You can give it to me at Robb and Lydia's wedding reception or in Birmigham before and I will take care of it. I hope to see you all there.