Just Wonderin'

[Troutman]

So I get involved with statistical analysis of sorts in my profession so I tend to think in percentages. As with many of you, I post a fair amount of my cooks in both the open forum and in SUWYC. I've noticed that certain proteins, methods or cuisines don't seem to garnish the attention that others do. I suppose things like smoked whole fish don't interest many of you because of availability or you just don't particularly like certain kinds of seafood. But when it comes to Prime Rib, there is an audible standing ovation.

That said, I'm curious as to what most of you like to see in the way of the major choices of proteins (yes another survey FireMan). I won't list other types of cooks, techniques or cuisines, just keep it a simple choice. When you click through the posts, what do you react to the most? Multiple choice allowed.

[LA Pork Butt]

Multiple choice doesn’t work.

[Troutman]

Thanks, I clicked the box but it turned off. Should be working now.

[Elton's BBQ]

I've voted almost all of the above..

[Troutman]

But that's not fair Elton. We need bold decision makers !!!

[Johnny Booth]

IMHO - a whole fish looks better in a photo. I don’t eat lamb, so I cannot relate.
In order of my preference.

1. beef smoked
2. beef grilled - steak
3. pork smoked
4. pork grilled - chops
5. chicken grilled whole spatchcock
6. chicken grilled, parts - wings
7. Chicken whole smoked - pulled
8. Grilled fish filet
9. Fried fish filet
10. smoked fish

[bordercollie]

I'm with JB.

[Mosca]

Good topic.

I prefer reading about and seeing smaller cuts of beef and pork. Not because I prefer eating those, but because I think they photograph better and make more complete “stories”. That being said, when I view SUWYC I’m prepared for almost anything, and often I like the best photographs or presentation of a cook over what it’s actual content is; I don’t eat seafood, but a well told story about crab cakes, with excellent photographs, is more fun than a poorly lit photo of a dry aged prime ribeye.

[Troutman]

Yea I was trying to avoid preparation or cuisine in the poll. Only what type of protein, when it's pretty much presented by itself, is most attractive to your eye and/or taste.

[barelfly]

I enjoy all cooks, regardless. most of all, dishes that I have not cooked that will bring new experiences to me. That’s what I love most about this site, is seeing the variety of cooks we all bring to the show.

I think it was Mosca’s recent post that discussed the feeling of nailing a cook that you get to share with others, and I think of our sharing here in the same way, sharing ideas and ways of cooking that bring that same feeling to others across the country and world.

Regarding your choices above, I’ll react similar to most of them, but also like Mosca, the presentation and story that comes with make an impression on me as well.

[Troutman]

I got ya, but that then leads down a rabbit hole of preparation of said proteins. I was just trying to gauge what I think I already know, what certain proteins always attract more attention here then others. Besides, you could make tacos out of any or all of them, right??

[barelfly]

Troutman - I know, hard for many things to be listed. But, I have even noticed that BBQ type meals, steak and such, get the Thumbs compared to other dishes/styles, like you mention.

And I do dig smaller cuts, seafood and chicken from what you have above. Fun to see the styles of those, which do end up being many different dishes.

And of course Tacos are always the answer!

[Troutman]

I'm surprised that Lamb doesn't seem to be getting much love. That's interesting, I love lamb. I do understand the "gamey" taste but that's the most inviting aspect to its flavor. In fact we've noticed that the American lamb in particular seems to be lacking that quality, I suspect they are trying to breed it out to make it more appealing. My wife says she doesn't like it, it's too bland for her. Oh well, each to his own, just surprised its trending that way.

[SonOfAButcher]

I remember vividly my Dad teaching me how to process lamb because he really didn't care for it much...It seems to be an acquired taste..Around Easter time I spent many an hour at the meat block working on legs of lamb..I remember 20 or 30 saddles in the walk-in waiting to be cut and wrapped..

[Henrik]

I'm a lamb lover, so that one def. got my vote :-)

[mrteddyprincess]

The lamb gamey complaint seems to be cured for me with salt. My wife is sensitive to "gamey," but if I add Kosher salt directly to lamb chops I think it transforms into a non-gamey situation. (Sprinkling extra on after cooking and slicing.) Huge lamb fan here. B

[STEbbq]

I voted for a few of the less common options I guess.

Like others, a good story and good oics get a vote no matter what the protein. I am sure if we did an analysis of my last few hundred votes, they would probably be equally dispersed among all proteins. I also vote because even though the pics and story might not be fabulous, not everyone here is an expert at stories and photos, and I think we all know the amount of work that goes into some of these meals.

So votes might be not be super clear on my end.

I will say I appreciate less common cuts and more creative techniques more than the billionth pic of brisket just because it is new to me and maybe I learned something. So there is probably a different set of considerations if you have been here since for a few years versus being a newbie.

I question whether the results of this poll would be useful without a few more polls to better stratify the audience essentially.

[DavidNorcross]

This is a tough one. But for the sake of the data, I did narrow it down. The results will be interesting.

[fuzzydaddy]

I like them all, but steaks, specifically a ribeye is my #1. Shrimp and scallops #2. Thanks for the post.

[mrteddyprincess]

I'm right there with you on shrimp and scallops! Brian

[bbqLuv]

I enjoy pictures of cooked foods and the reviews.

[captainlee]

I voted smaller cuts and lamb hopefully to learn more about a variety of ways to cook. Used to smoke some salmon for appetizers, but a lot to go through for just a small amount that you are going to eat.

[Troutman]

Like others, a good story and good pics get a vote no matter what the protein. I am sure if we did an analysis of my last few hundred votes, they would probably be equally dispersed among all proteins. I also vote because even though the pics and story might not be fabulous, not everyone here is an expert at stories and photos, and I think we all know the amount of work that goes into some of these meals.

So votes might be not be super clear on my end.

That's not the purpose of the poll, again I think you're reading too much into the intent (which is a little personal actually). I agree that if you take a piece of chicken, boil it and set it on a plate no one will hit the LIKE button. But if you do an over the top chicken shawarma well cooked and photographed then it gets folks attention. That's in the area of subjectivity of preparation and cuisine.

I'm hoping to see, what I think I've seen already, what proteins folks tend to like the most in general. It may be a subconscious visual decision where you tend to get more excited about a beef cook then say fish one. I can tell you that from a pure attention grabbing standpoint, I find that posting beef cooks (again in general) outweigh that of lamb or fish. I think there's a direct correlation between barbecue and beef that tends to grab the attention of members here. That's not to say other proteins well cooked and presented are not given equal or better standing.

Hope that makes sense, I'm trying to boil this down to a common denominator. Maybe I'm being too specific on a complex and very subjective subject. Let's see what the poll says. If it's too broad then maybe we try a more specific approach.

[STEbbq]

I think that makes sense and I guess we will see what the poll results tell you. I think you could probably do some follow-ups too but I will leave it up to you. I guess I’d also be interested in see what you interpret the results as telling you too.

[Potkettleblack]

Not to yuck anyone else's yum, but I don't really eat fish beyond shellfish (and really, not all of those), so I don't engage with whole fish or filet posts. They look fine, just not my jam.

I did everything else, but would pump brakes on some things that also produce minimal milage for me, while working well for others. Mustard based sauces, chili with beans, being two engagement killers for me.

[Mosca]

I don’t eat seafood, either, but a really nice writup and photoessay will get a thumbs up here. I enjoy it when others share their pride and their satisfaction!

[smokenoob]

Looks like I’m in the minority 😁
I forgot to vote for lamb though, I do love lamb!

[HawkerXP]

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...