Smokin' Monkey

According to the food writer for the independent weekly in Seattle, The Stranger, (yes, in addition to the NY Times, I read little known independents too) "The mastery of smoke is one of the things that separates humankind from monkeys."

She just might have something. I admit - even though I'm a big fan of cooking, and love the "q" -- when I make it myself - I resort to a low, slow oven rather than smoker or cooker or grill.

I personally am a big fan of Carolina Style Q -- but appreciate Kansas City for the sweet, smokey tomatoey sauce they produce. I can't really get use to the mustard based sauces of Low Country Q -- and have never really thought that gnawing three bites of meat off beef ribs ala Texas was really worth the time and effort. (The Phenom would laugh here, since I once forced an evening of smashing and picking crab meat into our lives.)

The northwest portions of the country aren't really known for Q -- they have fish, and organic veggies to contend with - and don't really need to find ways to serve up the cheaper cuts of larger animals. I find articles about Q coming from the northwest ironic enough to read carefully. Sometimes, like with children, a novice can point out the tiny detail the most seasoned experts over look.

She turned her lens on to the quality of the meat, the sauce, the "falling apart" qualities that are the hallmark of good Q -- and the sides. Yes, the sides. I think that along with using an oven (and dry rub) I fail with my sides. I make a sweet, smokey, spicy beer beans that are always popular - and sometimes hack up a cabbage for slaw (the creamy tang that balances the acidic heat of the sauce) --- but she mentioned mac - n - cheese. I love mac -n- cheese. In the southern states of the USA, mac -n- cheese is a veggie. The substancial starch and creaminess of mac -n- cheese would compliment Q and beans beautifully. And, I know why I've not ever thought of this combination before --- The Phenom does't do mac -n- cheese. But, this idea is brilliant.

Now I need to find friends to invite over for Q and m & c. Of course, I'll make the beans and slaw too. Perhaps, next summer, my project should be to master the smoke. I wouldn't want my lack of mastery over smoke to give me away. And, then I can pass along my knowledge to my fellow monkeys -- another line blurred!!!!!