This is my grill.
I love to grill. One of my favorite family stories is about a cold winter snowstorm in Pennsylvania. A friend of my sister's lived nearby and had gone to the store, braving the icy conditions. When she returned home, she called my sister to say hello and tell her about the "idiot in the parka out on his balcony grilling in this weather." That idiot was my Dad.
Both my brother and I received the grilling torch from my father and both of us have become quite skilled over the years. If I could, I would grill every day for dinner. I never grow tired of the smoky taste and tenderness you get from grilling, whether through smoking with woods like Mesquite and Hickory or just the good old taste of charcoal. I don't use a gas grill much (I currently don't own one), but they are great if you're in a hurry.
Since moving to Texas, I really got into the smoking side of BBQ. I do live in the land of brisket after all. Smoking takes forever, but when you cut into the meat and see the smoke rings on the outside - that's a reward I love to have.
You can have your snowstorms and below freezing temperatures.
I'm not interested in the cold. Yes, it does get cold in San Antonio, but not nearly as much and not nearly as severe. Today, the high is expected to be around 75. It's November 22nd. I'll be out there all day; checking my fire, making sure the meat is moist, and enjoying time with my friends.
This is why I live in Texas. The long hot summer, the short cool winter. The ability to BBQ anytime I want (not that a little rain or snow has ever stopped me). Give me a meat or vegetable and I'll slap it on the grill: hamburgers, turkey burgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, Kielbasa, smoked sausages, Bratwurst, Knockwust, brisket, steak, chicken, fish, shrimp, mussels, lobster, Boston Butt roasts, turkey, beef ribs, pork ribs, baby back ribs, riblets, pork chops, lamb chops, leg of lamb, fajitas, corn on the cob, zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, onions, squash, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes...are you starting to get the picture yet?
Today's menu will be brisket, Boston Butt (pulled pork), and beef and pork riblets. My wife will make her famous potato salad, our friend who is a pastry chef at a local Inn will make her out of this world deserts, we'll drink some beer and enjoy the day. That's what BBQ is all about. Good friends and a whole lot of doing nothing.
I may not be a true Texan, but I will always be a member of the Texas BBQ lovers.
All content ©2008-2010 by Matt Stigliano unless otherwise noted.
Matt Stigliano, Realtor® Becker Properties | (210) 646-HOME | www.RErockstar.com
"Your all access pass to San Antonio real estate."
Hi Matt,
I'm not a true Texan either but I agree with every word you say!! Just love it!
Steve
Matt - That is great that you are a member of the Texas BBQ lovers ! That is good stuff ! Stephanie and I end up going out for our steaks and what not. We should grill more but live in a condo and the condo association frowns on grilling on the decks : ) .
"That idiot was my Dad." THAT is funny. I have my grill in the garage and a fairly high ceiling in the garage as well ... I'd be a liar if I said I haven't thought about lighting that thing up in the garage ...
This was this summer's purchase ... we like to have family get-to-gethers and we have a good sized family.
Hi Matt: Alright now you did it --> I'm hungry. It's nice to share!
:)
Does this happen to be an invitation to all of Active Rain? If so what time does the party start? I do need to move back to my hometown and see what is going on there in good ole San Antonio.
Steve - I'll probably never be invited to be a Texan, I tend to grill more pork than beef.
Christopher and Stephanie - Yeah, condos usually aren't that happy about grilling. My last apartment didn't allow it unless you lived on the first floor...so I chose a first floor unit. My neighbors hated it, because all the smoke always seemed to head straight up and into their place. Sorry about that!
Steve - That's a nice one. Love that you do corn on the grill. Not enough people do I think. Corn in a pot of boiling water is so bland to me now.
Matt - I have to cook it all day. I'm already starving!
Don - I may have to make a stop at the store if you all show up at once. Haha. San Antonio is cruising along. There's quite a bit of construction throughout town, how long ago was it that you lived here?
EVERY day is a great day fo Q in The Great State of Texas!!
Oh the mighty wonders of the grill, us gals like grilling to. Something about the heat and the sizzle.
Tom - Based on the perspective in that photo, it looks like those chunks of meat are huge (the beer can looks oh so tiny). That's a beautiful grill.
Joyce - Men, women, and children of all ages love the grill. My sister is quite the grill master herself. I think we were all raised on it. Since fire was invented, nothing has surpassed the simple pleasure of grilling.
You sir are a true Texan IMHO. Luck of the draw to have been born there is hardly a credential to hang ones hat on
You, on the other hand have embraced and enjoyed that way of Life VOLUNTARILY. That makes you more Texan than most I would assume
Daniel - I do love living here, that's for sure. Texans do have very strong opinions, which I enjoy - even if I don't agree with a particular one. It's an interesting, fiercely independent state and (for now at least) a place I love to call home.
Matt,
The last time I was in San Antonio was 1973(?). Being raised there Iprobably wouldn't even know it today!! I'm thinking that it is time for a visit.
Hi Matt:
I know...I know....very tempting to move south!
I'm NOT looking forward to the cold weather heading our way into the tri-state area here.
How do you like this one?
You can pull it behind your pick-up.