2019 firsts for me.. looking back a year in review.

[Richard Chrz]

So, I have to admit a few things. I have never eaten most of the things I have cooked this year, well, at least not in the way that I enjoyed them this year. I have only had brisket maybe once before, and that was at a chain restaurant, so I hardly consider that something I had eaten. I had never had pulled pork except for maybe something out of a can, never had smoked or grilled ribs, (I did not grow up going to or hanging out at bbq's) my parents also sucked at cooking, but, they were good at other things. Also never made anything other then an occasional loaf of banana bread.

So, for me, "new to me cooks in 2019" were brisket, pork shoulders, flank steak, skirt steak, tri tip, smash burgers, a large porterhouse, or cowboy cut rib eye, turkey, prime rib roast, sourdough, pizza crusts and their sauces, Red Snapper, Patacones, and possibly a few I am not thinking about. 2020 I am eyeing up that giant dino beef ribs cook, that cook just screams out to me. and I look forward to trying a Prime cut of several different meats (tri tip, brisket, rib eye, and Prime Rib roast.)I also really want to try picanha. Seafood would be good to learn outside of salmon, I also want to focus more on taking the cooks and turning them into better full meals, and better plating, not just a meat cook. What else should I add to my 2020 cooks?

[Ahumadora]

Flat iron steak, smoked sweetbreads, smoked oso bucco (shin meat)

[texastweeter]

First time riding in an ambulance. First time to try fentanyl too... Same trip... I'll pass. Should just chugged a bottle of JD.

[CaptainMike]

Opiates generally make me sick so I avoid them at all costs. However, I had some post surgery fentanyl once and it was amazing. Sad, but I guess I can see how some folks get strung out on it.

[Richard Chrz]

Sorry to hear that. Ambulances and pain meds are not fun things to add to a did it in 2019 list...

[RonB]

Add a chuck roast to your list for 2020.

[Richard Chrz]

I need to edit that. I did smoke a few Chuck roast this summer. love that cook!

[RonB]

[surfdog]

S...my parents also sucked at cooking, but, they were good at other things....

I always say that I learned to cook in self defense.

Aside from that...
DANG! You took off running and never looked back! Well done Sir!
We've seen some of your cooks and they look spectacular. I can only imagine what next year is going to bring.

As for seafood, aside from the obvious things like shrimp...seared ahi is great, but can be tricky on a grill.
OTOH, making a paella isn't rocket surgery...can be relatively inexpensive, and feeds a crowd...and presentation is almost taken care of by itself,

[Richard Chrz]

I love to eat, that is my excuse, and I decided I wanted better food.

[CaptainMike]

Brisket chili and/or enchiladas. Burnt ends too.

[Richard Chrz]

i made a brisket point chili this year a few times, never looked back, can't beat it, even won a chili cook off with it. I am hoping to try making a pulled pork chili this year. in the green chili sauce. I will need to try Enchiladas with some of this as well. that sounds great. I really am not sure I have done "burnt ends" yet. I have cut off the thin meat on briskets and cooked them on the smoker in a little pan, no sauce, just salt and pepper.

[CaptainMike]

Here's my favorite recipe: https://jesspryles.com/recipe/best-e...et-burnt-ends/

[ofelles]

If you start cooking anymore than you do Huskee is going to have to create a section just for you!!
Kidding aside, my parents did not grill either. I'm very appreciative that you decided to join this group. You have inspired me because of and iinspite of your limitations

[Richard Chrz]

LOL, yeah, i tend to go big or go home if I take something on.. lol I really have very few limitations if you look at what is needed to cook. I have made a lot of adaptations, but, everyone has to make their adaptations for pretty much everything, legs are a bit over rated for cooking, hands although are not. I will continue to learn that stuff. For me, the lessons are in planning, and balancing energy. I am will always be learning the prep stuff and building schedules with it in advance.

[Richard Chrz]

a thing I noticed this year. the effort that it takes to make a burger is the same as it is to make brisket or a pork shoulder, the energy is in the set up. Honestly the energy needed to make a brisket is less then a batch of burgers. I try to string out cooks to a minimum of 90 minutes to 2 hours, energy wise, I get to rest a bit the longer the cook goes. Burgers probably are the biggest energy cooks I do. it all is started and done so quickly with no rest.

[Huskee]

Well said about the effort and energy to make a brisket vs burgers in your comments above to ofelles, Richard Chrz . I also teach folks that it is usually the exact same energy and effort to cook terribly (or BBQ terribly) as it is to do it perfectly. The only difference is the knowledge you use and apply to the effort you're making, hence the mindset here at AR; knowledge and mythbusting to do things the best way possible. From your pics you've nailed so many things!

[glitchy]

Richard Chrz I think you’re slipping into the danger zone...that zone where you don’t look forward to eating out because you can cook it better or so much cheaper that it feels wasteful paying for it. I usually only look forward to Mexican, Pizza, and Chinese and even those I keep thinking, meh, I need to learn how to make queso cheese sauce, pizza crusts and to stir fry.

[Richard Chrz]

My wife started saying that this summer, felt good hearing that, and I agree, I ow enjoy my cooking far more then eating out.

[Red Man]

You gotta add pastrami, bacon, and pork belly burnt ends to the list! Tomorrow I’m making bacon burnt ends with home cured bacon.

[Richard Chrz]

I did do pastrami a few times, fell in love with that.. Bacon I have not, was on my list, just never happened.

[Jim White]

Pork loins can be lots of fun, especially in how they can take on interesting sauces after cooking. I've had a lot of fun this year making sweet chili sauces with mango or peach.

[Troutman]

Oh where to begin with you padawan !! The force is strong in you. What more should you cook? There is no end to that question, so let’s begin with this. How about trying a nice porchetta?

....or if feeling adventurous try tying up and cooking a pork crown roast.....


.....or take the simple and turn it into the sublime by making a beef Stroganoff out of smoked short rib meat ...


I think you get the picture!! Watch what other cooks do and come up with variations on their themes. Your culinary adventure awaits. Seize the day my friend !!!

[Richard Chrz]

That pork crown roast looks amazing!

[Thunder77]

Indulge in a little MCS satisfaction!

[Thunder77]

Smoked meatloaf !