On My Way Home… ::: October 8, 2009 :::

After 30 days of travelling around and writing about food my journey is complete. I didn’t really find all the answers I was hoping to find but I did enjoy some great food and learn a lot. I also rode Motocross, skateboarded, surfed, kite surfed, snorkeled, and swam with sharks! Through all of that I think I still managed to pack on some pounds. What I didn’t know was how much Caribbean people love deep fried foods! It is nearly impossible to eat a traditional meal without it having at least one element that floated in that golden liquid delight known as oil.

I was unaware how much I was missing out on plantains and yuca [cassava].  These two things will find their way into my cooking right away. I was surprised that the food wasn’t very spicy down there. I found very few spicy dishes. I also found very little slow cooked meats that weren’t done in a pot. The Caribbean use of the term “BBQ” does not relate to that of America. It is “grilling”. As we all know…grilling and BBQ are very different.

I also see trying to incorporate a lot more fruit into my cooking. Their use of fruits was great. I had sushi that had peach, avocado, and Yellow Fin in it…wow! Who would have thought?! Simple, straight forward, and delicious!

I will miss the mighty Caribbean but I am also looking forward to getting back to Los Angeles tonight. I miss the Mexican food! I have a lot to do and catch up on. So many new ideas to explore as well.

Thank you to all of the fun people I met along the way! Maira, Michael,  Tommy, Maria, the other Michael, Rudy, Tanya, Carmen, Carlos, Daniel, Susan, Barb, Hector, Manny, Julia, and the others. When I travel it always amazes me how great people are and how often that gets forgotten by people.

Someone who does forget that…some American Customs/Homeland Security officials. The couple dipshits in the Bahamas I dealt with are what’s bad with America in a post 9/11 world. Not only do they go way to far in their questioning of why someone would travel outside of our great country but their reluctance to back down when their profiling yielded them nothing is embarrassing.  They have used what happened to our country as a reason to act like dicks. I am all for the effort to stop and prevent terrorism but their treatment of me had nothing to do with security. They thought they had something when they saw a long hair…but they didn’t. Rather than be wrong they continued to push. When that didn’t work they got rude and tried to badger me into digging myself a hole, which I didn’t. I did get to the point where I told them how I felt and didn’t mince words or worry about being polite any longer. I would be lying if I didn’t say it felt good. I find that when you tell someone of authority what you think of them and to kiss your ass the best next thing to demand is to speak to their boss so you can file a complaint and refuse to say another word. Everyone has a boss

So there! The Caribbean is amazing but America is still my favorite by a long ways. Maybe that’s why I like Hawaii so much, all the beauty and all of the rights too. Plus, they properly slow cook their pigs.

Piñones Puerto Rico ::: October 2, 2009 :::

This place reminds me of the Minnesota State Fair. They LOVE fried foods! A few of the Puerto Rican masterpieces they showcase here are:

Alcapurrias – [from Wiki] A dish from Puerto Rico made from a mixture of mainly yautía and may contain ground squash, potato, plantains, green banana and other starchy tropical tubers filled with picadillo, chicken, turkey, etc… and deep fried in oil. Yuca “alcapurrias” are usually stuffed with crab, shrimp or lobster meat.

Bacalaítos - Codfish Fritters

Rellenos de Papas – This may be may favorite. Deep fried and stuffed mashed potato balls! You heard me right. So delicious!

If you get the chance Puerto Rico is a great vacation spot. The people, the history, the land, the sea, and the food are all amazing.

Bombas de Camarones y Papas [Shrimp and Potato Fritters] ::: September 27, 2009 :::

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of warm mashed potatoes
• 4 T butter (cut into bits)
• 2 T of butter (to saute with)
• 1 cup Munster Cheese (grated)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 pound raw shrimp (peeled and de-veined)
• 1 cup onions (diced)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• 1 cup fine bread crumbs

1. To the warm mashed potatoes add the 4 tablespoons of butter bits, cheese, egg yolk, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix the ingredients together until smooth. Cover and set aside.

2. Chop the raw shrimp into coarse bits. In a heavy skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons of remaining butter. Sauté the onion until it is translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the shrimp and sauté until the shrimp just turns pink (about 2 minutes). Do not overcook.

3. Add the shrimp and onions to the potato mix and stir together.

4. To form the fritters, lightly four your hands. Scoop out 3 tablespoons of the shrimp and potato mix, and shape into a cylinder (bomba) 2 inches long by ¾ inch round.

5. Gently roll the bomba in flour and shake off the excess flour.

6. Dip a pastry brush into the beaten egg. Gently brush the egg onto the bomba and then roll the cylinder in the bread crumbs.

7. Place the coated bomba on wax paper. When you are finished shaping all the bombas, place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before frying.

8. Deep fry the bombas at 375 degrees for about 2 minutes and then turn them over and fry another 2 minutes. They should be golden brown on both sides. Only fry 4 or 5 at a time.

9. Serve the bombas at once with drinks, as appetizers, or as a snack.

Serves: Makes 14 fritters.

[I stole this recipe word for word]

Recipe From The Dominican ::: September 27, 2009 :::

Batida de Lechoza [Papaya Milkshake]

-2 cups Papaya cut into chunks
-1 cup Sugar
-1 T Vanilla
-4 cups Evaporated Milk
-2 1/2 cups of ice cubes

Put it all into a blender and blend until smooth

I had this nearly every day in the DR and I loved it. The bartender at my hotel showed me how to make it the last night I was there.

The Bahamas ::: September 27, 2009 :::

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I am in the Bahamas right now continuing to write my cookbook. I have been to The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and New York on this trip researching food and more importantly…eating it. I am noticing something very cool…if you are in a strange place to discuss food people get very excited and friendly. Food is such and easy thing to develop a conversation over and ultimately…make friends.

I will try to post some recipes when I get a chance. The internet can be a bit sketchy in the islands.

Love, Peace, and BBQ

By the way…if I have met you along the way and you have pictures of us together please send me a note. I would love to get a copy.

Puerto Rico ::: September 17, 2009 :::

The Dominican Republic was amazing. The food was great and I hope to return someday. Now, I am in Puerto Rico and enjoying it very much. I had some Shrimp Mofongo last night when I got into San Juan. WHY do you not find this all over America??? It is so delicious and perfect.

If you are looking for a vacation spot, I have found it for you. Puerto Rico is very inexpensive right now along with the rest of the Caribbean. The economic crunch has hit everywhere, especially areas that rely heavily on tourists dollars. For you this means that everyone is fighting for your tourist dollars. Airlines, hotels, and tour operators are all offering huge deals.

I am headed to Guavate to the same town Andrew Zimmern went to in order to experience “The Pork Highway”. Many pictures to come.

Here is a place I ate in the DR. This might look like a place to avoid in the US but somehow down there it seemed like the perfect place to go and it did not disappoint.

::: September 14, 2009 :::

Racing! ::: September 14, 2009 :::

Motocross tomorrow! Wish me luck!!!

What Do You Think? ::: September 3, 2009 :::

I think this is pretty close to our logo that you have all come to know and love over the years. I appreciate all of the emails letting us know that you are seeing this out and about and you are disturbed as well. I was happy to hear that someone thought we actually sponsored a huge concert with our logo on the side of the stage. I wish we could do those things and someday we will.

I have contacted Hard Rock again and hopefully they respond in a fair and American way. An amazing artist, musician, and friend JEFF CAUDILL designed that logo for me in 2001 and did an amazing job. He took it from my head and added his artistic talents and when he emailed it to me I was floored. It really helped to inspire me to continue the dream.

I think if the Hard Rock is going to continue to use the logo they should at least be serving my BBQ sauce in their restaurants OR make a nice fat donation to a charity of my choosing OR start a nice college fund for the artist’s daughter.

I remember when we did a special EP release and small show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Phoenix back in the 90’s. I was really proud to do it there and I thought they were an awesome company. They treated us like royalty and they definitely were helping to support live music even though they weren’t a venue themselves.

Keep sending me your pictures of these logos as you see them out and about. I have stopped two other companies from using my logo. I wonder if the government will be as cool to me when I have to fight with a bajillion dollar company?

On a more fun note, Rob Dyrdek’s show “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” has a new episode on MTV tonight as well as Nitro Circus…TUNE IN!

Big Rock & Roll BBQ Food Trip ::: August 22, 2009 :::

Thank you to the loyal visitors who stop by RnRBBQ on a regular basis. 2009 has not seen nearly enough updates I know. It has been a crazy busy year with lots of things in the works. Thanks to everyone who saw me on different TV shows this year and took the time to email, your kind words are appreciated and your not so kind words always make me laugh.

I am leaving for NYC in September to start a month long cooking/writing  journey. First stop is Daisy May’s inManhattan which I have really wanted to visited. It is Adam Perry Lang’s place and anyone that knows BBQ knows APL! Then to a Yankee game where I will fake clap for my least favorite team in the league. I will be stopping by some favorite restaurants and food carts before jumping a flight to The Dominican Republic! That’s right…the Caribbean baby!

The plan is to finish my cookbook of comfort foods with Mexican influences, traditional American BBQ favorites, and some funny stories thrown in for good measure. I am spending a month bouncing around down there writing my book with the final chapter being about the culinary goodies I find and recipes I can some locals to teach me. If all goes well maybe I’ll go back to do a whole show or book just on the flavors of the Caribbean…delicious!

If anyone had any great experiences in The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Aruba, Bermuda, or Barbados please pass them along. I am looking forward to seeing some great new stuff. I would be lying if I didn’t admit there will be some serious time devoted to surfing and fishing too. I hope they have Jack Daniels in paradise.

So there it is, a concrete plan of attack…kind of. I am going to try to update this site as much as possible with pictures and stories. Hopefully I can find someone to pay me some good old American dollars to chronicle this trip and all the adventures. That would be ideal but I’m going either way!

Another Great Gadget! ::: August 20, 2009 :::

Timers are boring and played out right? WRONG! This thing makes me want to bake just so I can use a timer!

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONE

The Scottish Munchie Box ::: August 11, 2009 :::

If you don’t know what a Munchie Box is please Google it right away.

Easy Made Even Easier ::: August 8, 2009 :::

Can’t handle the task of making pancakes? Let this little guy handle it for you! CLICK HERE

We have been deliously hard at work creating new goodies at RnRBBQ HQ. The dream of bringing you our brand of fun straight to your TV’s isn’t dead yet! Keep your fingers crossed.

It’s Gadget Day! ::: July 31, 2009 :::

Check out these fun things I found…

This is all sorts of awesome!!! CLICK HERE

Easy Grilled Veggies from William Sonoma

William Sonoma is on fire!!! This meatball griller is a thing of beauty!!! CLICK HERE

Want some healthy micro’d potato chips??? Try this…

It really is that easy!!! CLICK HERE

AND FINALLY, my favorite gadget of the day!!! It’s a simple pizza cutter.

Buy your very own HERE.

It Makes Me Hungry! ::: July 30, 2009 :::

Perfect for your iPhone or iPod

Again…Sorry! ::: July 7, 2009 :::

I have been very slow to update this site but over the next few months you will see lots of changes. We have some new people coming in to improve the website and make it a place you want to stop by often. I have appeared on a bunch of TV programs this past year but I have to admit I am most excited about this Friday. I will be on Green Bay Fox 11’s “Living with Amy”. I am very excited to share FOUR recipes over 16 minutes and chat with Amy Hanten. Amy is awesome and if you live in the area be sure to tune in. The theme for the day is “Beach” and I am making Mexican themed beach foods on the grill.

Speak of TV, Adam Gertler from “Will Work for Food” on Food Network and I have been working on an show I’m sure you be able to see in 2010. It’s super awesome and that’s all you can know right now.

Anyone looking for a great recipe? Let me know. I am making a new round of How-To videos.

Breakfast Nachos? ::: June 21, 2009 :::

Someone said it and a light went on! Why have I never thought to do this? I love breakfast and I love nachos so why not make them happen at the same time. I can’t believe I never thought of doing this!

Learn To Cook ::: June 19, 2009 :::

In case I haven’t done it for you CLICK HERE for 10 great cooking videos!

Wisconsin in July ::: June 18, 2009 :::

I have been slow to update the site but things are moving along quickly. I am filming a pilot for a new show in July. I have teamed up with Adam Gertler from Food Network for a new show tentatively called “Unfair Advantage” that we hope you will see on your TV soon!. We are going to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan in July and doing a bunch of stuff. It’s all “secret” now but you will see the fruits of our labor soon. Check out Fox in Green Bay on July 10th  to see me make Carne Asada and a few other Mexican favorites with Amy Hanten. I think it is on the web too in case you live elsewhere.

Accident at Slim Jim Plant ::: June 10, 2009 :::

There was an accident at the Slim Jim plant today. Very sad CLICK HERE

Best BBQ in Hollywood. ::: June 6, 2009 :::

I forgot how much I loved Zeke’s Smokehouse in Hollywood. I went there for lunch today and everything about it was great. In addition to great food the service is really friendly and the decor is better than you would expect from a fairly new end unit of a small shopping center.

I went to Baby Blues BBQ recently I was totally let down. Their sauce was great but the food didn’t excite me. BUT…Zeke’s shows who is boss in Hollywood with amazing Brisket and Pulled Pork. It is done properly and served in large portions. The Brisket has a great smoke ring and so does the Pulled Pork. Both are super moist and my only comment would be that I would like the Brisket to be served without sauce by default. The sauce is great though and it’s not drowning in it. The vinegar based slaw for your Pork is excellent and they have a great Mustard BBQ Sauce.

Zeke’s has some non BBQ specialties but I haven’t…and won’t…try them. Why would I??? They do BBQ right and nobody else in the area is!

Do yourself a favor and check out Zeke’s in Hollywood or Montrose. You will thank me for turning you on to an amazing BBQ spot! CLICK HERE for more information on Zeke’s. Oh, the Sweet Potato Fries and the Mac & Cheese are great too.

Hi There! It’s Been A While… ::: June 6, 2009 :::

Howdy everyone! I’ve missed you, have you missed me? I have found some great stuff while we have been apart. Let’s get right to it! How about some beautiful microwaveable meat snacks? CLICK HERE

Delcious Meat Snack for Your Microwave

 
Maybe you feel like you aren’t getting your point across when you are seasoning your food. Check these out!

Salt & Pepper Pistol Shakers

 

And lastly, how about a crawling zombie Jello mold? CLICK HERE

Crawling Zombie Jello Mold

Back in Action! ::: May 19, 2009 :::

I was off in Hawaii for a while learning the Hawaiian way to BBQ. I learned a lot! Summer is here for most of us and it’s time to dust off your grills and prepare for your summer parties!!!

Bacon Lance ::: April 24, 2009 :::

As a side note…when doing cable TV shows get the money up front. They are lame. Look for me on ________ soon. I will mention their name when I see some money….to buy meat with.

My girlfriend bought me the book “The Face on Your Plate“. I guess it turned some carnivores into veggies but I don’t think it will work on me…

Jeff Caudill’s New Video ::: April 22, 2009 :::

Hey look! I directed, produced, and edited a video for my buddy and his band. Check it out, I am very proud. Also check him out at www.jeffcaudill.com

Don’t worry, we worked BBQ into the theme!

My newest article is now up on Fierce & Nerdy as well. Check that out for a chuckle. CLICK HERE

See ya’ll soon! The summer BBQ season is coming up and I am going out on the road to promote Rock & Roll BBQ and the sauce.

OMG! My Dreams Have Been Answered ::: April 13, 2009 :::

Our friends at THINKGEEK.com just unleashed a new great product to the internet. CLICK HERE to order some for your bad self!

Chopstick Modification for Extremely White People ::: April 6, 2009 :::

If you just can’t figure it out consider this purchase

Long Haul = Delicious Chili ::: April 6, 2009 :::

Long drive boring drive you say? Slow simmered yummy chili I say! What could be better than rolling through the desert with the smell of chili filling your car? Nothing!!! This is such a great and bad idea. I want one now! CLICK HERE to get your own from RoadTrucker.com

Porkgasm! ::: April 5, 2009 :::

CLICK HERE to learn about it!

It’s been a crazy spring! We are still scheduling guests for the Podcast so keep sending ideas. Please submit food questions as well.

Stone Bogart Reunion Show! ::: April 1, 2009 :::

April 1st House of Blues!!!

SXSW 2009 ::: March 22, 2009 :::

I will post pictures when I get back home but it has been another incredible year! The highlight for me was seeing The Hold Steady at the Rachael Ray Party. Rachael’s food was also really good and the booze was free which is always a plus.

Other highlights were: Grant Hart, Jason Isbell, Bob Schneider, New York Dolls, Jeff Caudill, Dash Rip Rock, Fastball, Maria’s Taco Xpress, Black’s BBQ, Smitty’s BBQ, Kreuz BBQ, Chuy’s Mexican Food, and my time at Casino El Camino on 6th. Check out the Verde Fries on their menu! That’s also where Van’s hooked me up with the new Iron Maiden shoes. I love Vans. Buy them if you don’t have any.

Podcasting Starting April 1st! ::: March 13, 2009 :::

OK, everyone is doing it so why shouldn’t we? I haven’t settled on how you can get the podcast but starting April 1st you will be able to download “Rock & Roll BBQ” to your iPod or MP3 player. Right now I am up for suggestions for things you would want to hear. So far there will be current food news, music reviews, cooking show updates, cookbook suggestions, alcohol suggestions and reviews, me complaining, and whatever else comes up. Guests? …maybe someday. It’s hard to do cooking demos on an audio format so maybe someday I will add a video component.

I have been VERY encouraged with the recent surge in email and questions. I try to answer as many as possible so be patient I have a stack of them to get back to.

I will be appearing on some television morning shows this summer and I am looking to do more. If your local channel has guest chefs send them an email and recommend me! If you get me on TV I will find a way to say your name and pretend like we are old friends

I’ve got the gear so get ready! I’m about to assault your ears!

Places I Ate Last Week ::: March 9, 2009 :::

Howdy! I had a few good meals last week while out and about. I have been cooking at home as much as possible working on my cookbook but I found time to visit a few places and here were my two favorites…

Yellowtail Belly

Midori Sushi- I love this place and there are three of them around the valley. I always eat at the one on Ventura Blvd which is odd because there are two closer to my house. I was lucky enough for my friend author/comedian Greg Behrendt and I have to have free time that matched up so off to Midori we went. It’s a pretty standard sushi menu and they have an all-u-can-eat option which is great because I can eat a lot of delicious sushi! I like the Hamachi, Hotate, Yellowtail Belly the best. The place is great and if you go there enough you may just run into newsman Chuck Henry or guitarist Dave Navarro.

Cafe Firenze- If you are a Top Chef fan you will be familiar with the owner/chef here…Fabio! This place was really awesome. I never order Martinis but they had a Cucumber & Jalapeno Martini. WOW! It was delicious. You could smell the Jalapeno as it approached your mouth, taste the cool Cucumber, and then it finished with a bit of spice. It was memorable. I had Carpaccio de Manzo for the appetizer. Beef Carpoccio is either great or it sucks and this was great. On top of the Carpoccio there was enough Arugula, Pine Nuts, and Shaved Parm that it pretty much served as a salad as well. Great presentation and everything was FRESH. The hard part was choosing an entree. I wanted the Ravioli since that seems to be a favorite of the chef’s when he was on Top Chef. Alas…I went with the Stinco dAgnello [Lamb Shank]. It was…perfect! It comes in a Barbaresco and Vegetable Sauce that was very flavorful and not too heavy. They don’t skimp either, the Lamb Shank was big and perfectly cooked. It came with a side of Gnocchi in Gorgonzola which may be one of my favorite things of all time.

I will definatley return to Cafe Firenze, they converted me into a fan. Most Italian restaurants here remind me of Olive Garden. This place had a great atmoshere, excellent service, and a menu that was big and filled with great options. I can’t wait to return. Check them out HERE you can see their menu and make reservations on their site. Oh…in case you were wondering…Fabio was indeed there in the kitchen.

The Owners of Cafe Firenze

The 70’s Were Funny ::: March 3, 2009 :::

I Love Egg Sandwiches! ::: February 24, 2009 :::

I found this online. It tops my 9 egg monster. It has 11 sunny side up delights!

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf w/ Macaroni and Cheese Center ::: February 20, 2009 :::

OMG! The Bacon Beerito Scares Me! ::: February 8, 2009 :::

Learn to make it HERE

Great Bacon Bowls ::: February 5, 2009 :::

Are you thinking I have been to bacony lately? Too bad, here’s more…

For something new and delicious try making your salad bowls out of bacon!!!

Sexy? I’ll Show You Sexy! ::: January 30, 2009 :::

CHECK THIS OUT! CLICK HERE

Fight! ::: January 28, 2009 :::

www.howmany90yearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com

Fierce & Nerdy Rules! ::: January 28, 2009 :::

Good Evening. I’m happy to announce I have officially started writing for Fierce & Nerdy… a website dedicated to just such things. I am flattered to be asked to participate in their site especially as someone who doesn’t nessesarily share all of their same views. The site is run by a great person with a great sense of humor who is letting me write with no restrictions.

My first column was about why you should never date a vegetarian. It already got some comments and some were kind of angry. I like it, strike that, I LOVE IT! It was clearly written tongue-in-cheek. I will say it again, vegetarians have no sense of humor. Sure, there may be a few out there but they are the exception to the rule. To add to that sentiment, wine drinkers are too serious. I have a whole lot of these stereotypes I think I will explore over my time at Fierce & Nerdy. Watch out easily offended lettuce eaters…here I come!

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE!

One last note…this guy ate meat when he wrote the good songs…

Took Some Time Off… ::: January 21, 2009 :::

Sorry I have been gone for a while. A lot has been going on. I just got back from Seattle and Vancouver. If you find yourself in Seattle you MUST go to SERIOUS PIE. It’s a Tom Douglas Restaurant and it is some of the most amazing pizza I have ever had. They also have Pabst in bottles and Salted Ox Tongue on the appetizer menu. I will more thoroughly critique my amazing adventures there soon.

What’s great about this bed? EVERYTHING!

As much as I appreciate fine dining I also enjoy the simple pleasures in my culinary life. Things like a nice warm bowl of Cup O Noodles puts a smile on my face. Leave it to the awesome Japanese to make yet another amazing food related product I can endorse. Nissin created this awesome vending machine that sells and adds the hot water to your tasty treat.

As you may know I also love USB gizmos that relate to food. Check out this USB powered lunch box that keeps your lunch nice and toasty until the lunch bell rings. It’s in Japanese but you’ll get the picture. Again! I love the Japanese

Looking for a new breakfast delight? Of course you are! Check out THIS RECIPE for the Eggless Bacon and Cheese Omlette.

If you live here in L.A. this video by Drew Carey will be of interest to you. It’s about the cops cracking down on the illegal bacon dog trade. CLICK HERE

READ MORE on this huge problem on the LA Times website.

I promise to keep up in 2009!