Savory Muffins

My wife actually found this recipe in that USA Weekend thingy that comes in the Sunday paper. They had 3 different variations. She decided to make the Italian one, which included parmesan cheese, basil, and pancetta. The recipe actually called for prosciutto, but she couldn't find it in the store and went for the pancetta instead. The "savory muffin" is very biscuit like. It is also very tasty... even 3 days later.

Pappy's Smokehouse on Man v. Food

I somewhat recently went on a trip to St. Louis to visit some friends. Whenever we are down that way we just have to get some barbeque. Although St. Louis isn't as famous for barbeque as some other cities, it's still pretty abundant. Last year we hit up Fat Toney's, which was really pretty good.



This time we found Pappy's Smokehouse. It's good. It's very good. The line at the counter let's you know that immediately as you walk in. Pappy's opens every morning at 11 and stays open until they sell out of meat, which is 7 or 8 on weekdays and about 4 on the weekends. Mike Emerson, the owner of Pappy's doesn't believe in reheating his meats, so he tries to cook just enough for each day. Although, by now he may just be cooking to capacity. There is a small whiteboard that you pass while in line that will let you know what they are out of and when, if at all, they will be available again. If you are going later in the day, it's probably a good idea to call ahead first.

We showed up right around noon on a Saturday. The line was about 25 to 30 deep and it was that way when we left. The beautiful thing is, they move people through quickly and efficiently so that if everyone does what their supposed to, and be assured that Mr. Emerson is watching over his establishment, then there will be a place for you to sit and enjoy your meal.

We just missed out on the ribs. They ran out before we got up to the counter and weren't going to have any more until 1 o'clock. But that was ok with me, it just meant there was 1 less delicious meat for me to agonize over. I ended up getting the brisket sandwich. Everyone in our party (of 6) got either the brisket or the pulled pork, or both, in either sandwich or platter form. We all loved it. The brisket was smokey, tender, and juicy. It wasn't to the point where it would fall apart on your fork, but you certainly weren't fighting with it in the least. It was just about perfect. Pappy's cooks their meats in the Memphis style. That is, they smoke it using a dry rub and serve it dry with sauce bottles at the tables. Pappy's has 3 sauces, Pappy's Original, Sweet Baby Jane, and Holly's Hot Sauce. The original was my favorite. I do enjoy a little kick in my sauce from time to time, but I preferred the flavor of the original. For sides I had baked beans and sweet potato fries, I have a thing for sweet potato fries. The fries were good, but I like a little bit thicker cut, and there was nothing wrong with the beans. Both complimented the sandwich well.

The Travel Channel's Man v. Food made a stop at Pappy's Smokehouse while making their St. Louis episode, which airs tomorrow night. Adam Richman's food challenge, however, is to finish 5 24-ounce milkshakes in 30 minutes at Crown Candy Kitchen. I really do love this show. I didn't think I would. It's like Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, only with 70% more gluttony.

Good news! The Minneapolis episode airs on March, 25th. It includes Matt's Bar, Brasa, 5-8 Club, and Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit, so get ready for Juicy Lucys and Meterbratwurst on the Travel Channel.

What I Did on Valentine's

Instead of going out to eat, like a sucker, we stayed in and I attempted to make a nice dinner for my wife. I do normally do the cooking, so it wasn't some kind of crazy science project. I made shrimp cocktail for an appetizer. This is something I had never done before and it's really quite easy. The shrimp cook in only a couple minutes and then you just let them cool and chill them, and the cocktail sauce is also super easy. I'm not usually big on cocktail sauce, but this recipe was really good.



Dinner was a London broil and peas with smoked bacon and mint (pictured at the top of the page). The London broil didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. The flavor was good, but the meat was a little tough in spots. On the other hand, the peas were awesome.

Then for dessert I took the easy way out and got a Coldstone ice cream cake. It was delicious.

Welcome

I am not a foodie... but I think I'd like to be. I just don't think I have the time, effort, or resources to fully dive into the foodie lifestyle. And truth be told, I do like to eat stuff that a foodie probably wouldn't eat or admit to eating anyway. I prefer local to corporate, but I'm not adverse to the sit-down chains other than one, which will remain nameless (hint: It rhymes with Crapplebee's.) Plus, fast food is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine, namely Chipotle. With all that said, what hits my sweet spot are little, unique local places.

I think it would be cool to be a food critic, but I'm pretty sure I don't have the chops. I'm sure my reviews we be a lot like Homer Simpson's.



That's not going to stop me. This blog will be my attempt to talk about food and places I've been to eat. Think of it as an experiment... without all that sciency stuff getting in the way.