The Smokey Pig

The Smokey Pig
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

The kids and I ate at The Smokey Pig in Ashland VA.
We have never eaten here despite passing it multiple times on the road. The boy was hungry



the girl was in judge mode



We started with some hush puppies, which were great



They were crisp and bready with corn and apple taste



The boy considers himself a soup critic and thought the tomato soup was incredible.



The girl ordered a steak which came to the table perfectly grilled with a smokey exterior, medium rare interior.



The boy went with a burger (he shares my antipathy of pulled pork)
the burger was huge and tasty



I ordered the pork ribs



They were meaty, perhaps a bit dry, and not as smoky as Buzz and Neds but still very flavorfull. The house sauce is sweet and tangy and complimented the ribs very well.

We left very full, very happy with the food, and great personal service.



http://thesmokeypig.com/

Mofongo

Mofongo
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

The fortunate combination of fried green plantain and crispy pork is a delicious dish. I deep fried pieces of green plantain till cooked but not crisp then combined them with pieces of pork sauteed till crispy. This is actually pieces from my baked pork head.



I added a homemade chicken stock



mixed in the food processor till it all came together I molded it in a bowl and served it.



It is great with a saucy shrimp scampy (as I served it) or roast chicken or pork.

Strawberry Jam

strawberry jam
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

Remember the jam braised pork chops, well my daughter made that jam, and this (her favorite) strawberry jam. All I can say is that it is chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. I always forget the quantities and proportions which clearly signifies that my wife and daughter are much better bakers, candy makers, jam makers than I am. I am much more likely to vary and inevitably screw up a candy, jam, bakery recipe. (cooking is much more forgiving).

She combines all the ingredients and cooks them down



till they get sticky and gooey (my terms)



the girl actually spoons it onto a chilled plate and draws a line in it to test doneness



and when it is done to her satisfaction she cans it.



When I say she does it she is in charge, I supervise but this nearly 12 year old calls the shots. To her credit it is very good... (I would add some black pepper and strawberry brandy but that would probably screw it up).

I love food curated and her videos, but I am so jeleaous of the pizza oven, as I would love to build my own.

Retiring to Make Pizza: Paulie Gee's from SkeeterNYC on Vimeo.

Tostones again

bullet hole
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I know we have cooked fried plantains multiple times but here we go agagin.



the plantains are fried at a low temperature (325 deg) for 10 min then taken out to rest and flattend



in my house using the mortar

Making Tostones from Eugenio Monasterio on Vimeo.

then refried till crispy

My Empire of Dirt

Acorn Edition Salumi

la Quercia box
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I received our second shipment from La Quercia today (Acorn Edition hog share). This box contains cured items.



I am probably the most excited to try the Lardo





But we also got some Coppa



Nicely marbled



Guanciale (cheeks!)



Pancetta





Looking tasty



Somehow I missed a picture of the Lonza (cured loin) but it is in there.



Now to portion it out amongst the shareholders (my brothers) and feast!

Jam braised pork chops

weekend cooking 005
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

This was an easy dish that turned out great. Sweet and savory.
I started with a couple strips of bacon on a cast iron pan



I then added some thin pork chops seasoned with salt and pepper, and then painted liberally with a mixed berry jam (mostly blueberry).



I then layered some chopped onions on top



and reseasoned with salt and pepper. I put it in a 375 deg oven for 40 minutes, till It looked like this...



The carmelized and charred onions went well with the sweet jam, and the chops were very tasty. I served it with mixed vegetables on the side.