Spring stuff

[Rebel SS]

Anyone ready to go out and tap those maple trees? Used to do that for  few years, took lotsa sap and long boiling down to get a small bottle of syrup.

Also used to go out around this time of year, along small creeks and springs, and pick watercress. Had my first watercress sandwich thanks to my ex-FIL. He was quite the outdoorsman. Anyone do that anymore?

[LPS]

I used to do the maple thing and it was fun.  Did it for 3 years.  Never did the watercress thing. 

[Dotch]

Were a lot of sappers around here once upon a time. A lot of them are dead now. The guy they fished out of the Straight River the other day was one of them. Sounds like a dangerous sport...

[Rebel SS]

Could be. I know a few they should bore a hole in and let the sap run out............ 

[Rebel SS]

I used to do the maple thing and it was fun.  Did it for 3 years.  Never did the watercress thing. 

You should give it a whirl Barry....

http://sixburnersue.com/cooking-fresh-eating-green/2010/04/stalking-wild-watercress-for-salads-sautes/

[Dotch]

Found a bunch of it one time in a spring along the Spring Valley Creek. Kinda peppery flavor, great stuff! Like the article said, somewhat similar to the salad greens I've been growing for fall consumption here.

[LPS]

I will try to find some.  Looks fun.  I ate some of the Lambsquarters that HD showed us last year.  My woods is a carpet of it. 

[Rebel SS]

Was a rite of Spring for years...even a lot of old paintings about it! 

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[glenn57]

 

                                 
                                     

[ThunderLund78]

I like to look for Morels when if I can get time during that narrow window in May.  I'm not great at it, but I usually find a few.

[Rebel SS]

Hey TL!! Yer still around! Howz that pigger smoker doin'?? 

[Dotch]

Made a quick stroll around the backyard and found these guys poking thru. Will we have rhubarb pie for Easter? 



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[mike89]

that would be good!!!

[Rebel SS]

I certainly hope so! I'll have my fork and bib ready!

[glenn57]

mines still covered wit snow!!!!!!!!!

[glenn57]

I certainly hope so! I'll have my fork and bib ready!

wouldnt that be a troff for you!!!!!!!!!!

[Rebel SS]

Ya mean that wooden tub you drink outta and take baths in? Boaranese spelling..

[glenn57]

Ya mean that wooden tub you drink outta and take baths in? Boaranese spelling..

[Rebel SS]

I liked eating the watercress on chicken/turkey sandwiches. Almost as much fun as it was getting out in the Spring to find it! And ya, I ran across a number of folks who hunted it, and like morel pickers, they wouldn't tell ya where they found it. We had a couple places that were actually little creeks that ran along by a wooded culvert, that was always dampish and on the cool side.

[ThunderLund78]

Hey TL!! Yer still around! Howz that pigger smoker doin'?? 

Yup still hanging around, don't post as much as I used to, not as much action on here as there used to be - I mean in terms of people posting about new recipes, methods, etc.  But I guess we can change that! Now that the weather's getting nicer, we'll be putting Apocalypse Sow to work on some things - Gotta fire up some kielbasa and maybe some spicy smoked maple breakfast sausage soon.  I'll post when I do.

[Rebel SS]

I'd love to see that! I still think "Apocalypse Sow'' is the greatest name I've yet  ever heard for a smoker... plus the "logo". 

[Rebel SS]

I was wondering...do you ever brine or marinate the meat yer gonna smoke, if it's a big chunk?

[ThunderLund78]

I was wondering...do you ever brine or marinate the meat yer gonna smoke, if it's a big chunk?

If Pork Roast for pulled pork - no-just dry rub.

If Beef Roast I'll inject it - The method RH describes on his site is a great starting point - basically onion soup loaded with garlic.  You can add other herb/spices to your liking, works phenomenal.

If BBQ Brisket - dry rub

The next time I do a whole chicken or turkey, I will be brining.  injection works for flavor, but brining does so much better at retaining moisture AND flavoring the meat. In my opinion, you need to at a VERY minimum inject poultry or it gets dry. (unless you cover it in bacon - which you CAN)

One thing I keep meaning to try is homemade pastrami - which is definitely a brine, that may be a summer project if I can find time in-between the boys' baseball obligations.

[Dotch]

Not generally considered edible altho they do adorn many a table this time of year as decorations.  Found them while out riding fences an hour or so ago. Oughta get me a little "sumpin'-sumpin'". "Sumpin'" as in "Gee, those are nice. Can you go pick me some more for the flower shop?" 



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[Rebel SS]

Willow Catkins! Pussy willows, not to be confused with Pussy Galore, Mr. Bond.
Good job dere, Dotch! Maybe the missus will bake ya a peach cobbler in return!   

[glenn57]

Willow Catkins! Pussy willows, not to be confused with Pussy Galore, Mr. Bond.
Good job dere, Dotch! Maybe the missus will bake ya a peach cobbler in return!   

such a filthy minded potty mouth!!

[Rebel SS]

WHAT??!?! No filth there!!!! Whatever are you jabbering about NOW??!??!!  You've never watched Goldfinger???!!   

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[Steve-o]

Willow Catkins! Pussy willows, not to be confused with Pussy Galore, Mr. Bond.
Good job dere, Dotch! Maybe the missus will bake ya a peach cobbler in return!   

such a filthy minded potty mouth!!

[mike89]

Willow Catkins! Pussy willows, not to be confused with Pussy Galore, Mr. Bond.
Good job dere, Dotch! Maybe the missus will bake ya a peach cobbler in return!   

such a filthy minded potty mouth!!

don't say it.................   

[Rebel SS]

I think it was a carefully perpetrated ruse by Dotcheroo to get a rise outta Glenn....