Carolina vs. Clemson Feast 2012

Most of you that will read this are from South Carolina, or close enough to understand. That from the moment you're born. You're either a Gamecock or a Tiger. The annual regular season finale is always a very heated match up, and this year, for the first time, both teams met ranked in the top 15 in the nation.

For the last 3 years now we've had some friends come over to tailgate before the game, and then sit down and chow out while watching Carolina beat up on klimpsun.

This year we were working to have a big shindig, but Thanksgiving plans (and scared fans of the OTHER team) got in the way.

We went to Sam's and picked up what I thought was an 18lb shoulder. Once I cut it open, it was actually 2 separate butts.

I made my own injection for this one, and then sprinkled on the tiny bit of Plowboys I had left, and covered them both with my Gamecock Sweet Rub.

I let them sit for an hour while the smoker got up to temp, so they could just soak up all of the deliciousness.

While everything was cooking. It was time to enjoy the day (while keeping an eye on the smoker). Before the season this year I made a mobile flag pole that I put up for every game (don't worry, I may be making some for sale soon.)

For the first time, we decided to decorate the house for Christmas.

Gameday cupcakes Dawn picked up from ICED.

As you can see, I didn't think to take pictures until people started munching away. I have to admit, I'm the guiltiest party for the pepperoni and cheese crackers. There's also some kind of dips there.

The Chocolate Shoppe cookie cake ... I may or may not have also been the guiltiest party for this now looking like this long after the picture was taken.

YES, this picture was also taken AFTER people had eaten a full first round haha. Needless to say, we had leftover.

All in all, everyone that joined had a great time. The Gamecock fans just had a BETTER time. The food was great, the game was great, and it was a perfect way to "end" an amazing Thanksgiving weekend (and have enough leftovers to last for a while).

Why Did Mr. Gobbles Cross The Road?

To get smoked!!!!!

As previously advertised. I smoked my first turkey this season, and I must say ... it turned out pretty daggum well. Dawn picked us up a 13lb Butterball Premium from the grocery store.

The inside was still a little "slushy". It wasn't 100% thawed out, so the neck was a fight to get out.

She injected it with a store bought injection we picked up (she did it because she likes to watch it go "poof"). I made this "rub" thanks to a fellow Brethren. We used regular Wershirshirshire sauce instead of the white wine they call for (we didn't have the other, and didn't notice it had to be the fancy smancy kind).

I patted the skin dry before throwing Mr. Gobbles in the smoker (patting the skin dry is supposed to help give a crunchier skin).

At about the 2 hour mark, Mr. Gobbles is getting a nice color to him. I covered him 45 minutes or so after this so he wouldn't get too dark.

After 3-3 1/2 hours of smoking it was time to rest, so we let him sit for a good hour and a half to 2 hours till it was time to eat.

It may look like I know what I'm doing ... however ... I DON'T!!!!!!!!!

As I said ... I have no clue how to carve a turkey ... it showed.

I can't remember what the white bowl had in it (something I don't eat anyway, so it didn't matter), every one's holidays favorite deviled eggs followed (if you look close enough you'll see the 4 that are empty ... those are mine), and followed with the butchered Turkey.

Dawn's mom's gravy, Dawn's sweet potato crunch (I don't eat sweet potatoes, but this was actually really good), and of course the dressing on the end.

Dawn wanted to cook me a surprise since I love green beans and bacon ... For the first time making them they came out pretty good. The beans were a little tough, so maybe they have to be cooked before ... the recipe didn't say so, so who knows ... still good.

Then it was finished up with mashed potatoes and mac'n'cheese (not pictured: rolls and pecan pie)

What? Oh, you're wanting to know how everything turned out? Fine! We had both families over, and I believe everyone LOVED the Turkey (except Kara ... only because she didn't eat anything ... literally). For my first doing, the turkey came out juicy and loaded with flavor. The rub definitely enhanced the injection and was one of the best turkys I've ever eaten. I think I may have just created a new family tradition.

Busy Cooking Weeking

Next Thursday, Thanksgiving, I will be trying my first smoked Turkey. We're going to have both families over at our house, and Dawn wanted me to give it a shot ... so I am.

I then, for the Carolina vs. Clemson game, will be throwing a butt or two in Friday night or first thing Saturday morning, around lunch on Saturday a couple racks of ribs will go on, and then I'll be adding some chicken wings to the grill.

It's going to be a busy weekend, and I will do my best to get plenty of pictures and report back.

Piggin' Ain't Easy BBQ Team

I'm still not completely sure when I'll join a circuit, but the official team name has been decided.

Me being the (older school) Wrestling fan that I am. I decided to make a play on words of a slogan from a former wrestler named The Godfather. The Godfather's character was of a "pimp" and he always came to the ring with his "ho's" (a.k.a. the Hooooooooooo Train). His biggest slogan/slaying was that "Pimpin' Ain't Easy". I decided to take that, and put a BBQ spin on it.

Or colors will be Royal Blue like SC's state colors, Black, and white.

Me being the impatient person that I am. I've had a few friends draw up a little something something. I'm sure over the next year as I start to prepare for comps, and I build a full team, I'll continue to spread the word (and the food).  

The first image was done by one of my good friends Alicia.

The second pictures was done by my fellow Brethren N8man.