Marc's Pulled Pork- Tina's 1st Experience

So, Marc's a little behind on his blog entries so I will go ahead and rave about BBQ.  You may get a duplicate entry about pulled pork from Marc later...  Marc made pulled pork a long time ago and this was my first time experiencing it. It was a nice and cold winter day so we had fun waiting 7+ hours on Ms. Piggy's bum to get done-- we had a fire pit, beer, and margaritas--- isn't that fun??!?!

We got a late start (normally he starts before the sun comes out) but it still turned out great.

We like to put slaw on our pulled pork sammiches (yes, I said sammiches).  The pictures are self explanatory!

Doesn't Marc look so handsome in his chef's jacket?

Getting the heat just right. SLOW and LOW smoking...

 

Look at that awesome char!

Jackson, MS: Saigon Restaurant

My besties and I ate at this Vietnamse restaurant in Jackson, MS called Saigon Restaurant (formerly Saigon Noodle).

It's not the greatest but unfortunately it's the only one in town.  We just try to make the best of it.  We started with Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls.  I love these two and I rather make them myself but sometimes you're just pressed for time or you rather have someone else make them even if they are cheapo-deapo on the ingredients (They cut a shrimp in half and put it in the roll to make it seem like you have two pieces of shrimp).  The eggrolls have shrunk since the last time I've been there and they raised their prices on EVERYTHING...even the Pho.

 My best friend, Nguyen ordered Pho with the Tai meat (thinly sliced eye beef round) and added beef balls (Bo Vien).  They give you a nice serving of tai but the beef balls, they jip you on (they cut those in half also).  WARNING:  If you don't specify you want a Small Pho, they will automatically give you a Large Pho and not switch it out for you.  "You should have said small", is what they told my other friend.

The broth that day was actually pretty good.  They put more herbs now on the side. Before we used to have to ask for all the good stuff and extras...

I had the vermicelli noodles with everything (Bun Dac Biet).  It has pork, chicken, shrimp, a fried egg, and eggrolls plus all the yummy herbs.  When I received it, it didn't have the eggrolls.  They said they would bring me the eggroll.  When I got it, it was ONE little bitty eggroll.  The pork was skimpy and rather dry.  It was good but so not worth $8.00...

I always like to drink Tra Da Chanh. It's jasmine tea and fresh squeezed lemonade. It's sooooooooooooo good!

And that's my review of Saigon Restaurant in Jackson, MS!

-Tina

Food Adventures

So, Marc came up with this awesome idea of visiting two restaurants that we’ve never tried once a month.  We decided to break it down to fine dining and casual dining.  I think our first experience for February will be Lawry’s- The Prime Rib in Dallas.  Haven’t confirmed a casual place yet but I’m thinking BBQ or perhaps a diner? 

Thennnnnnnn, my good friend Aminah told us about the International Grand Tasting event held at the Irving Convention Center on Saturday, March 31, 2012.  Over 65 chefs serving samples of their cuisine and more than 400 premium wine and imported beers.  Oh I am SO excited about this event!!!  Marc and I are going to volunteer for another “Savor Dallas” event so that we can attend the tasting event for free…hopefully (that’s what I’ve been told).  Tickets are $100.00 each so if we don’t get lucky, I guess we may shell out the dough… haha pastry joke—shell + dough!  Ok, I’m a little corny sometimes…

-Tina

BBQ Quest!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is it. This is the year that I will go crazy with the grill. At least once I find one anyway. But once I do and I get it seasoned just right then there will be no stopping me. I've already been known to try new things here and there. But this year I am making a personal challenge to myself to just go stupid on the grill. To find that perfect balance with different flavors of wood. To come with the perfect rub. And to create the sickest BBQ sauce. Fortunately, I have a team of friends that will be willing to try anything once. And if they like it, come running for more. So hang on tight because it is gonna be a wild ride. From beef to pork. Chicken to fish. And allllllllllllllll kinds of veggies. This spring and summer I am pulling out all the tricks in the bag and even attempting to create some new ones.

-Marc

Baton Rouge, LA: Tony's BBQ Pit (Plank Rd.)

Today's lunch is brought to you by the guy that owns a BBQ pit on the side of the road. The little mom and pop BBQ's are usually the best.

Omg, mmmmmmm AND then I ate part of this humongous turkey leg. Its literally about 12 inches long and 6 inches in diameter.

I ate a hot sausage link which is the best hot link I've ever eaten. You can see the red chili seeds in the sausage.

I'm gonna miss "Tony the BBQ man".

Oh by the way, I tried my coworker's "pickled pig lips" she bought today....it was not what's up! I think it was the pickled part that I didn't like because I've had pig ears (non-pickled) before and that's what it reminded me of.

Birthday Dinner

Check out Marc's Vietnamese culinary skills. He made this dish for my birthday this past October. I forgot the official name but it's a lemon grass sauteed shrimp dish with egg rolls. The herbs and vermicelli noodles are what makes this dish superb. We've got Thai basil, mint, cilantro, cucumbers, and bean sprouts. Then there's the infamous chili fish sauce or if that's not your liking, we have the chili soy sauce mix also. Kudos to Marc! Oh btw, he can make Pho also if he doesn't add too much rock sugar!!! (Then it starts to taste like the Japanese dish-- Sukiyaki, lol)  ;o)

Subway. Eat Fresh.

So, today's lunch really isn't anything unique or special. I just felt like ranting about it cause I usually never order Spicy Italian (I usually order turkey). Today I waited so long to each lunch that I ordered the footlong Spicy Italian on Italian Herbs and Cheese bread and ate the whole thing at lunch along with a bag of pretzels.

Salad again for dinner!

Yes, bad Tina.

Baton Rouge, LA: Sharon's Kitchen

Today, I got peer pressured in to eating fried chicken--cause I'm supposed to be eating healthy   (or healthier).  Lunch today was from Sharon’s Kitchen in Baton Rouge, LA.  They have the best fried chicken so far...at least near my job.

I was supposed to get the chicken with red beans and rice but opted for a breast, leg, mashed potatoes, and corn--and oh yea, CAWNBREAD (inside joke). 

Hmmmmm…yup, I will be having a salad for dinner.