How you guys staying sane during this pandemic and bball interuptions?

[Kathy]

Raised my cooking game noticeably. I now have an arsenal that includes a Weber grill, a box smoker, a pig roaster, 3 turkey fryers, an outdoor pizza oven and a deli slicer, meat grinder, commercial grade sausage press and a dehydrator.

Have home grown and dried oregano, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. A blend of different crushed red peppers. Fermented hot sauces - Jalapeno/Pineapple and a traditional Tabasco type. Made my own kimchi and sauerkraut. Made kielbasa for Christmas Eve. Also made breakfast sausage for my Thanksgiving stuffing, as well as regular hot Italian sausage and Broccoli Rabe and Garlic pork sausage.

And I lost 54 lbs since July.

Congrats on the weight loss - I know from my husband keeping it off is the hard.
Can I ask what deli slicer you bought and if you like it? Was actually researching them today. Mostly meats - being widowed I still likely cook but would love to be able to slice stuff and freeze for future use.

 

[87Xfer]

'If the business will any way benefit from adverting, send me a couple standard sized ads and I'll put them in the rotation.

Thanks for the offer! We're B2B - our clients are mainly enterprise tech companies, so we don't do any advertising. But I appreciate it.

 

[August_West]

Just wondering, because I think this snowstorm highlighted how boring being primarily indoors all winter can be. Books are no longer intriguing, Netflix/Prime is only getting me so far, can't fish, golf or do any outdoor stuff, my cigar lounges are closed so I have to smoke while cruising, its like I'm left to counting down the days till our next game. My wife and I aren't socializing, and will miss our annual Super Bowl festivities with friends this year.

I know I should be organizing things in my house, and my basement should be neat and tidy. I also know my clothes should be sorted and many donated, but I don't feel like it. Good time to improve my cooking skills I guess. Saving a boatload of money, and trading (see stock thread), but that's not that enjoyable. I think I gained a few pounds, so that's something to address tomorrow.

It just feels like I'm missing something. Its not depressing, more of a void looking to be filled.

So Yarders, how are you coping and whatcha doin to get by? Has anyone found a new hobby or something that's working to help you cope? Have anyone found any 'safe' activities to recommend?

I have a job.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Just wondering, because I think this snowstorm highlighted how boring being primarily indoors all winter can be. Books are no longer intriguing, Netflix/Prime is only getting me so far, can't fish, golf or do any outdoor stuff, my cigar lounges are closed so I have to smoke while cruising, its like I'm left to counting down the days till our next game. My wife and I aren't socializing, and will miss our annual Super Bowl festivities with friends this year.

I know I should be organizing things in my house, and my basement should be neat and tidy. I also know my clothes should be sorted and many donated, but I don't feel like it. Good time to improve my cooking skills I guess. Saving a boatload of money, and trading (see stock thread), but that's not that enjoyable. I think I gained a few pounds, so that's something to address tomorrow.

It just feels like I'm missing something. Its not depressing, more of a void looking to be filled.

So Yarders, how are you coping and whatcha doin to get by? Has anyone found a new hobby or something that's working to help you cope? Have anyone found any 'safe' activities to recommend?

In all seriousness this pandemic has been brutal. Ill likely for the first time in my life (45) will likely be getting help for my mental health asap.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Raised my cooking game noticeably. I now have an arsenal that includes a Weber grill, a box smoker, a pig roaster, 3 turkey fryers, an outdoor pizza oven and a deli slicer, meat grinder, commercial grade sausage press and a dehydrator.

Have home grown and dried oregano, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. A blend of different crushed red peppers. Fermented hot sauces - Jalapeno/Pineapple and a traditional Tabasco type. Made my own kimchi and sauerkraut. Made kielbasa for Christmas Eve. Also made breakfast sausage for my Thanksgiving stuffing, as well as regular hot Italian sausage and Broccoli Rabe and Garlic pork sausage.

And I lost 54 lbs since July.

Are you raising chickens?
If yes...

"Pets or meat?"

Or just eggs?

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I have a low country boil every summer. Shrimp, crabs, andouille (from LA), corn and potatoes. I get all 3 going at once and dump it out on a 12 ft long table with Old Bay, salt, melted butter and brown mustard. No utensils, just a cold beer and feast.

Sounds delicious. Any guests?
If you have a teak table like I do, do you just let the butter seep into it?

 

[Hi-Low]

 

[temery]

Raised my cooking game noticeably. I now have an arsenal that includes a Weber grill, a box smoker, a pig roaster, 3 turkey fryers, an outdoor pizza oven and a deli slicer, meat grinder, commercial grade sausage press and a dehydrator.

Have home grown and dried oregano, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. A blend of different crushed red peppers. Fermented hot sauces - Jalapeno/Pineapple and a traditional Tabasco type. Made my own kimchi and sauerkraut. Made kielbasa for Christmas Eve. Also made breakfast sausage for my Thanksgiving stuffing, as well as regular hot Italian sausage and Broccoli Rabe and Garlic pork sausage.

And I lost 54 lbs since July.

'I've got a dehydrator. Does shaved steak make good jerky, or is it too thin.

 

[superjohn]

'I've got a dehydrator. Does shaved steak make good jerky, or is it too thin.

I make oven jerky all the time and use bottom round or whatever other beef looks to have barely any fat. It's way better than any store bought jerky.

 

[Mr. French]

I'm not.

 

[temery]

I make oven jerky all the time and use bottom round or whatever other beef looks to have barely any fat. It's way better than any store bought jerky.

Cut it yourself? What do you use for seasoning?

 

[Umami Zen]

Raised my cooking game noticeably. I now have an arsenal that includes a Weber grill, a box smoker, a pig roaster, 3 turkey fryers, an outdoor pizza oven and a deli slicer, meat grinder, commercial grade sausage press and a dehydrator.

Have home grown and dried oregano, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. A blend of different crushed red peppers. Fermented hot sauces - Jalapeno/Pineapple and a traditional Tabasco type. Made my own kimchi and sauerkraut. Made kielbasa for Christmas Eve. Also made breakfast sausage for my Thanksgiving stuffing, as well as regular hot Italian sausage and Broccoli Rabe and Garlic pork sausage.

And I lost 54 lbs since July.

Congrats on the weight loss. Not easy to do. You have an impressive inventory of cooking surfaces/grills/vessels. Have you ever "kicked the tires" on the Green Egg? Figured you would probably have an educated opinion based on your lineup.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Staying sane imply’s sanity is the norm for BY’s. That might might require a huge leap of faith.

 

[superjohn]

Cut it yourself? What do you use for seasoning?

Yep, cut it into strips with scissors. Season with pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper, brown sugar, smoked paprika, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Marinate for a few hours, overnight if you want. Lay it all out on paper towels and pat all the liquid out of the beef. Add a little more pepper, crushed red pepper before hanging on bamboo skewers on oven rack if you want it hot/spicy. Set oven at like 160 degrees or lowest setting and every hour or so open and shut oven door repeatedly. I usually make more than will fit in oven at once so I'll lay the excess beef on oven racks over sink and fan dry it. Different texture but also good.

 

[Mr. Hand]

I smoke copious amounts of weed.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

In all seriousness this pandemic has been brutal. Ill likely for the first time in my life (45) will likely be getting help for my mental health asap.

No shame in that.

 

[ThetaZoo]

A pickle doesn't seem like it would bounce.

You'd be surprised

 

[Zanzman]

I hang out here more

 

[CL82]

3 turkey fryers?

Because sometimes two turkey fryers isn't enough.

 

[Deepster]

Congrats on the weight loss. Not easy to do. You have an impressive inventory of cooking surfaces/grills/vessels. Have you ever "kicked the tires" on the Green Egg? Figured you would probably have an educated opinion based on your lineup.

I look at them from time to time. I don't know what I'd use it for that I don't have something equivalent for already? I am also infatuated with these:

La Caja China Roasting Box and Accessories

Want To Roast A Whole Pig and Have No Experience? Well, we can help you. Our roasters will roast a whole pig in less than 4 hours; No Experience is necessary!

lacajachina.com

 

[Deepster]

'I've got a dehydrator. Does shaved steak make good jerky, or is it too thin.

I feel like the thinner the better. If you go to my Facebook page, you'll see the turkey jerky I made recently. It's like stained glass. Delicious.

 

[UconnU]

I’ve found that many people at work have become complacent and lazy. So I’ve been working my tail off using this as an opportunity to make a name for myself professionally and have moved up 2 levels and doubled my pay since the start of all this.

 

[Umami Zen]

I look at them from time to time. I don't know what I'd use it for that I don't have something equivalent for already? I am also infatuated with these:

La Caja China Roasting Box and Accessories

Want To Roast A Whole Pig and Have No Experience? Well, we can help you. Our roasters will roast a whole pig in less than 4 hours; No Experience is necessary!

lacajachina.com

Fascinating. Never seen. Serious question. What would you use this for that you don't have in your inventory as an alternative?

You're obviously a passionate chef who is a student of the "game". All good.

Have a friend who is a meat guy. He has come up with a swinging grill over a log fire. The swinging grill is attached to a branch of a tree by a chain. The meat is always in motion because of the swinging grill. He has told me it's origin is Polish. But it works for a lot of meats. You could easily replace the tree branch with a iron teepee type configuration with the grill hanging from it.

Will wait to share with you what a butcher told me once about his favorite way to tenderize red meat.

 

[JakeTheDog]

Adopted a pup right before the pandemic hit and he’s been awesome. He alone would be enough to keep me busy. Also been trying to expand the cooking skills and have become respectable in the kitchen. The next dish I want to tackle is al pastor. We’ll see how that goes. I think mostly though it’s been practicing my drums and piano. I’ve finally got my Jeff Porcaro “Rosanna” half-time shuffle to the point where I wouldn’t be embarrassed to play it in public. And like @August_West said, I have a job.

 

[Umami Zen]

I have a job.

News flash.Many of us do.

 

[huskyinfl]

East Coast or West Coast of Fla? Have friends in Sarasota who say things are manageable there.

I'm in Sarasota area and it's fine. Was downtown a few weeks ago. Beaches are nice people stay away. I just dodge every tourist area as I live near the beach.

 

[huskyinfl]

I got a rescue dog that has degenerative myelopathy and I'm going to give her the best rest of life that I possibly can.

I'm also dating the craziest women in Florida which has been a bad idea all around but pretty funny.

 

[Umami Zen]

I got a rescue dog that has degenerative myelopathy and I'm going to give her the best rest of life that I possibly can.

I'm also dating the craziest women in Florida which has been a bad idea all around but pretty funny.

Got your hands full.Good luck. Will be looking for you to hook me up for watering holes to watch Husky games next season 2021/2022.

 

[Deepster]

Fascinating. Never seen. Serious question. What would you use this for that you don't have in your inventory as an alternative?

You're obviously a passionate chef who is a student of the "game". All good.

Have a friend who is a meat guy. He has come up with a swinging grill over a log fire. The swinging grill is attached to a branch of a tree by a chain. The meat is always in motion because of the swinging grill. He has told me it's origin is Polish. But it works for a lot of meats. You could easily replace the tree branch with a iron teepee type configuration with the grill hanging from it.

Will wait to share with you what a butcher told me once about his favorite way to tenderize red meat.

I don’t need it and there’s no use for it that I don’t have access to already. It just looks cool.

 

[Umami Zen]

I don’t need it and there’s no use for it that I don’t have access to already. It just looks cool.

Have you ever checked out the Slow Food Movement started in Italy in 1986?? Nice way to spend a Sunday. Based on your comments and culinary leanings. If not there already, you're pretty close.

We enjoy convivium with Slow Fooders. Lots of SF groups all over the world.