New Kamado Accessory: Rib Rack

When you think of barbecuing one of the foods that you first think of is...RIBS! So we, or I should say my wonderful father, has designed a new Pin Cushion Rib Rack.

Unique Features:

• Adjustable to any height, as the pincushion slides up and down on the hanging rod. Same system as the adjustable grill
• Rotates 360 degrees (like adjustable grill). Nice feature when basting.
• Pincushion rib racks slide on the adjustable grill rod. Depending on the model Kamado there can be as many as three, maybe four total can be slid on the #9 Kamado hanging rod. On the #7, two maybe three. #5 two and #3 only one.
• The Pincushion Rib Racks are interchangeable with the present Adjustable grill and uses the same rod and hanging system.
• The Rib Rack does not have to “Hang” (as on the adjustable grill) but can sit on the ledge in place of the regular cooking grill or on the regular cooking grill.
• The Rib Racks or addition cooking grill are stackable by a rod on the rack or grill through the tube (same as the adjustable grill). The height of the grill/rack can be adjusted and held in place by a screw “stopper”.
• Drip pan usually used on the Lower Bracket.
• Remarkable uniform cooking temperatures are retained by the heavy ceramic walls (thermal mass) when the temperature stabilizes at the desired (lower) cooking temperatures. Very little temperature change results in same cooking times whether ribs are placed in center, outer, upper, lower close together or apart.
• Astonishing amount of ribs can be cooked at one time. Depending on the type of ribs and the size of the Kamado or BGE, one rack of 5 pounds or 75 pounds or more. More practical uses would be the using the grills or rack for cooking the entire meal items.

Now I have a confession to make...

We have never really BBQ'd Ribs or done a "low & slow". I know! :) We have our style of BBQ'n that we call "Fast N Furious", which consists of hamburgers, pork chops, chicken, pizza, etc. Now we use our Kamado more than 5 times a week, and we always enjoy the meals, but we don't take much time to prepare our meals and is something that I really want to make more of an effort to do. So, when my father designed the Rib Rack we decided that it was time to learn how to do Ribs.

For Mother's Day we did 2 racks of Beef Rib's and a rack of Pork Ribs.

First of all, I had NO idea how hard it was to remove the membrane!! It seems like such an easy thing to do...boy, were we wrong! Richelle & I split the work and I must have spent an hour just on the one rack of pork ribs.

After discussing my membrane issues with one of our great customers, R. Kim, he informed me on the tip of using a paper towel to grip the membrane.

We then poured some Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil over the ribs and then added Salt & Pepper and a dry rub. Put them on the Kamado, with the temperature set at 250 for roughly 3 hours.

And Viola!
















































They were delicious!! Another handy tip that R. Kim told me about was the 3-2-1 Method for cooking Rib's. Which is a method I should have known about with the wealth of information from our forum members at the Kamado Forum, but now that I have found the love for ribs I will certainly try it on my next Rib adventure.

Lastly, two family member's that always enjoy good BBQ:

Happy Mother's Day!

To all of the wonderful Mother's out there:






















We love you Mom, you are the BEST!!

Ensenada: Baja's "Love Boat" Port

If Tijuana is big-city hype and hustle, and Rosarito is beach-town easy, Ensenada is something in between. It's a college town, a thriving port, the center of Mexico's wine-growing industry and a commercial fishing center
.

The bustling harbor is one of Mexico's fastest growing seaports, and fishing is big business here, from tuna boats the size of tankers to a sportfishing fleet diverse enough to satisfy any ocean angler. But the harbor also hosts an endless armada of international cruise ships, and Ensenada has long been known as Baja's "Love Boat" port.

Ensenada's main downtown area is as tourist-friendly as Mexico gets. The city's merchandise selection is extensive, and most tourist-related shopping is concentrated along a single street -- Boulevard Lopez Mateos. Just a block from the waterfront, this walkable shopping section attracts mostly cruise passengers and day trippers who browse for an afternoon. Many of Tijuana's top stores have Ensenada branches on Lopez Mateos.

But there's far more to do here than shop. Ensenada is the heart of Mexico's wine country, and nine wineries in Baja's "Bordeaux Belt" of sheltered valleys near Ensenada produce almost 90 percent of Mexico's wines. The scenery -- picturesque vineyards surrounded by mountains -- alone merits a trip to Ensenada.

Inexpensive tours and tastings are offered six days a week by several Guadalupe Valley and Ensenada wineries, and the mid-August wine festival, sponsored by the area's Wine Brotherhood, is one of Baja's most popular annual events.

Be sure to check out the popular sportfishing pier area in the heart of downtown. A pair of sea lions (Claudia and Pancho) have been known to leap from the water to the pier to snap a fish from your fingers. Pelicans, hoping for a handout, waddle through the adjacent Mercado Negro, Baja's oldest and largest fresh fish market, where you'll find everything from whole, fresh sharks to brilliant parrot fish. Bring a camera.

The Pacific coast's best deep-fried shrimp tacos are cooked up fresh at colorful stands surrounding the pier. Sit on a stool in the sunshine and enjoy a few, while mariachis serenade you. And while you're there, tour the harbor and see the resident tuna fleet and flotilla of visiting yachts. Small motorboats, with guides, can be rented by the hour for under $15. Sign up on the spot.

And by all means, make the half-hour drive south to Baja's famous "blowhole." Thunderous La Bufadora, one of only three continuous sea spouts in the world, can shoot a geyser-like spray 60 feet in the air. A quaint village of curio shops has sprouted around the spout and makes for pleasant shopping. Try a juicy mango-on-a-stick or buy a bag of decadent, hip-swelling churros, deep-fried on the spot.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are excellent in the La Bufadora area, and surfing is best north of town at San Miguel Beach, immediately after the toll road ends. Ensenada's downtown waterfront area is generally rocky, but good beaches for swimming are a few miles south of town at Estero Beach and a bit farther at Punta Banda.

Kayaking is popular around La Bufadora, where sea caves and sea lion rookeries exist, and around uninhabited Todos Santos Island, five miles offshore. Look for great camping, trout fishing and wilderness getaways at Laguna Hanson, a little-known, mountain-and-pine escape east of Ensenada. And there are two excellent golf courses, one north and one south of the city. And there are two excellent golf courses, one north at Bajamar and one south of the city at Baja Beach and Tennis Club.

The resident intellectual and university communities bring a different flavor to this diverse city than to other Baja towns, and here a Pro-musica choral ensemble and the Cuban Ballet School are widely supported. Spanish missionaries and groups of Russian settlers brought native vines to the area and then settled, leaving their mark on the cultural mix. Today, there are Russian museums, jail museums and a historic gambling casino to explore. Ensenada also boasts Baja's oldest bar, Hussong's (011-52-646-178-3210), one of the most famous drinking establishments in the world. Claims the current owner: "Ain't never charged a cover charge in 110 years, and ain't gonna start now!"

Accommodations
Places to stay run the spectrum, from $8-a-night campsites to $130-a-night resort suites. There are probably more camping sites and RV camps near Ensenada and on the hightway between Rosarito and Ensenada than any other destination on Baja's Pacific Coast.

Restaurants
Choose from fabulous fish and shrimp tacos and seafood cocktails at inexpensive stands near the fish market, or award-winning French food with impeccable service at several restaurants. Standouts on the upscale-but-not-outrageously-priced side are the award-winning El Rey Sol (011-52-646-178-1733) and the two wine restaurants in the restored Santo Tomas Winery.

Don't miss
Sample Baja's fine wines at the downtown Santo Tomas Winery. Both its wine cafe, La Esquina (011-52-646-178-3557), and its gourmet wine restaurant, La Embotelladora Vieja (011-52-646-174-0807), offer best-of-Baja, best-of-California and best-of-South America selections by the glass or bottle. La Esquina sells a wide variety of take-home bottles from numerous wineries at low vineyard prices. Make sure you climb the narrow spiral staircase at La Esquina and sip a glass of vino on the second-floor outdoor terrace. And for great Latin dance music and a cheery atmosphere, stop at La Tertulia (011-52-646-178-1952) on the main street. It rocks with locals Thursday through Sunday after 9 p.m.

- Paula McDonald and Heather Gonzalez for SignOnSanDiego

courtsey: www.ensenada.com

Al Roker's 5 Rules of Barbecue

1. Never Touch Another Man's Grill. I will be the first to admit that when it comes to cooking, I'm a bit of a control freak. I love folks hanging out in the kitchen while I cook, but I don't want any help. The same holds true at the backyard grill. Don't ask to help me cook. I would never think of touching your grill. I know that every inch of soot-and-grease-encrusted metal has been lovingly and patiently created by you. It's one of the manly arts. Ever heard of the old saying, "Too many cooks spoil the broth?" Here's another one: "Touch my grill or any of my utensils, they'll be calling you 'Stumpy'!

2. Do Not Use A Fork To Move Your Meat Around The Grill. Use tongs. If you pierce the meat with a fork, all those wonderful juices will run out onto the coals, cause some wonderful flare-ups, and leave you with grilled shoe leather. While your friends "Oooooo" and "Aaahhh" at the flames, you're ruining your meat and run the risk of setting your facial hair on fire.

3. Don't Keep Moving Your Meat Around The Grill. Once you slap it on the grill, just leave it, unless it either: (a) starts to burn and you have to move it to a cooler spot or (b) there's inclement weather and you are threatened by floods, locusts, lightning, or all of the above. It may be very satisfying to flip your burger and push it down on the grill. Know what that does? Causes flare-ups and dries out the meat. See Rule 2.

4. Do Not Wear An Apron That Says, "Kiss The Cook." If you want to invite ridicule, scorn, and derision, then by all means, wear something like the aforementioned apron or like attire. By the same token, I always love those pictures of barbecues in the glossy food magazines with people wearing designer sweaters tied around their necks and khaki slacks or skirts. Who are these people? What kind of barbecue are they at? They probably eat ribs with a knife and fork! Me, I love grilling in an old T-shirt and shorts. In fact, I usually wear those sport shorts that are good on land and water. If things get a little hot, I take a break from grilling and jump in the pool. But not for long, lest somebody think the grill needs tending. See Rule 1.

5. Don't Take It Too Seriously. Enjoy yourself. That's the deal with grilling and barbecue. Friends and family. Laughter and good times. It's not like being at those trendy downtown bars, where everyone is dressed in black and they all look like they need a cookie. Backyard cooking is folks who look like you and me, people we know, but more important, people we want to hang out with.

courtesy: White Trash BBQ

National BBQ Month

I happened to stumble across a neat video from the 1970's that shows how to celebrate "National BBQ Month".

BBQ Recipes on your iPod

What a neat download for your iPod!

Pocket Bar & Grill has two sections, One is the "Bar" section with 750 mixed drink recipes from A through Z, each drink individually listed. The other section "Grill" contains 225 select gourmet recipe with an index in each category with links to the recipes within that category. All organized within Pocket Bar & Grill for your iPod.

Unfortunately, I don't have an iPod (I think that I might be the last person without one) or else I would download it and try it out.

We're baaaaack!

Hey Everyone!
I hope the year 2007 has gotten off to a fabulous start for you!

I know that we dropped the ball on our blog, but we are back! I have a lot of great things in store for the blog, so be sure to keep posted! :)

I would like to add that we are currently waiting to get our next container of the Extruded Coconut Charcoal in, so make that you check out the Kamado Forum to see if there are any pallets headed towards your city. Also, if you would like any estimated shipping rates please feel out the Charcoal Questionnaire and I will respond with the information requested.

Southern California Home & Garden Show

Richelle and I are currently in Anaheim representing Kamado Company at this years Southern California Home & Garden Show. It started this past weekend and is running until the 27th. We are having a blast! It has been so much fun getting to met people face to face and really get an opportunity to show off the Kamado's.

We could not have picked a better location...we are across from a large spa company, to the left of us is a company that sell beautiful outdoor furniture, and to the right of us is a company that sell's Plumerias (Alibubba & Mtbchip!!!!) And all of the exhibitors around us are so nice! I plan to walk around and take some pictures, so you all can see our booth along with all of the neat products that have booths at the show.

Also, we were chosen to have our #7 placed in the 'Hot New Products' Showcase. And we got to meet Leslie Segrete from TLC's "While you were out" and "Trading Spaces", she visited our #7 at the New Product Showcase and she was very impressed.

Anyone who is in the area, please come and visit us! We are at booth #3611.

Southern California Home & Garden Show

Gorgeous View!

I just had to share this picture with everyone. This is our good friend/customer, Mr. Morkes' #7 Cobalt Blue that he received a few months back. He is lucky enough to live in Pensacola, FL with a fabulous view. I know I sure am jealous! :)

He just purchased some of the Cobalt Blue tile and plans to tile some planterns to go along with his Kamado. I can't wait to see the pictures.

Mr. Lucky

A few posts back I mentioned how my kitty cat, Mr. Lucky, loves to sleep inside the Vent-Free Meridian...well, I found him inside and I happened to have my camera. :)

I know this is late, but the weekend before last Kasey Kahne won his 3rd Cup Series win at Texas Speedway. And it was his third time winning from the pole, plus he was the first driver to win from the pole at Texas! Fabulous!
If anyone is interested there was a good write on the race on Nascar.com.

It was awesome because our neighbor, who has US satellite cable, invited my father & I down to watch the race with him...and my favorite driver wins! YAY!
I pay the $9.95 a month with www.nascar.com for the Trackpass, so usually on Sunday's we sit around my computer, listen to radio broadcast and watch the little bubbles with each car number drive around a circle. :) My mom & sisters think my father & I are crazy, but beats not knowing what is going on. However, when there is a good track coming up, such as Talladega, Daytona, Bristol, etc. we go down the sports bar and watch it there.

I'm Back!

Hello Everyone!

I finally got my laptop back. YAY! :)

The Extruded Coconut Charcoal is IN!!!!

After many months of waiting for our container it has finally arrived!

Richard & Deborah and all of the fabulous people at All Purpose Warehouse spent all day today unloading the container.

Tomorrow they will be making all of the pallets & UPS'n out all of the orders that have already been placed.

If anyone is interested in ordering please contact us so we can get you some before it sells out.

sales@kamado.com

877-257-6871

ps...Stay tuned for some long over due posts! :)

Fiesta!

So, this last Friday we had a party at the Factory to celebrate one of our employee's birthday, Mario, and Richelle's. It was so much fun! As usual. :)

Mario had went fishing and caught a large swordfish and we cooked them on the Kamado (if you can say that). What Mario had done was taken the proto-type for the Vent-Free Meridian and took the lid off and placed a papella pan in the inside, which is where he deep fried the sliced fish. And then our wonderful Miguel made an half upper bracket with half a grill for the "cooling" area. It was very clever, and boy did the swordfish turn out delicious! I could not stop eating it all night. :)

I'm suprised that is not my hand! :)

Here is a picture of the set-up from behind.

Here is the fabulous Mario!

Check out the cool tongs/scraper the Mario designed.
I love the "K" he welding on it! :)

A shot of the tongs in use.

I hope everyone enjoys the pictures! :)

PS...

Okay, I PROMISE I am not trying to turn this into a NASCAR blog, but when my favorite driver does well, I have to give him a little shout out! ;)
So....Congratulations Kasey!! He started on the Bud Pole this morning, was in the top 10 all day, lead 85 laps and then won the race! YAY!! He was the first Dodge driver to win in Atlanta in 29 years.

Kamado Newsletter 10

Richard completed Newsletter 10 and I highly recommend everyone take the time to check it out. We have some new & exciting things that we are working on. There is all the information regarding the Pre-Dealer Sale we are currently running, and a special invitation to become a part of the "Kamado-Owner Marketing Program". I think it will be a lot of fun (plus rewards) for all of our customers who already love showing off their beautiful Kamado's. :) Plus, info on the new Vent-Free Meridian that we have in the works.


http://www.kamado.com/Newsletter/Newsletter10/March06(1).pdf


PS. We are using one of the Vent-Free Meridian's at our place and it is fabulous! Down here, they build all of the homes out of Cinder Blocks without central heat. Yikes! So, it gets really cold in our house & office at the factory. And we were using those little space heaters, but they use up so electricity, and this turned out to be the best solution! And, I was very suprised because I am very senstitive to the smell of propane, and there is NO smell!

Also, we have a kitten, Lucky (my rescue kitty from the factory, hence the name), who the other night crawled inside of it (minus the ceramic wood logs that are in the picture) and fell asleep. No worries because we did not have it on and it had not been turned on all day, but it was cutest sight to see him in there because the lumpsaver that is inside was the perfect little nest for him. :)

Kamadettes Reunited

Tara and her roommated Colleen had Spring Break last week, and decided to do a road trip ending in Ensenada. We had SO much fun with them into town! We got to show Colleen around Ensenada and we spent one night out at Papa's N Beer to party with the people on the cruise ship. We had a blast! :)

Tara and Mohamed

Okay, so it just so happened that all of the "good" pictures turned out to be Tara & I. :( But, after one too many beers your picture taking skills go right down the drain. ;)

Yay! Kasey Kahne

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. We are having a nice relaxing one; it has been pouring down rain so we are staying in and having movie weekend. :)
I wanted to mention that at the last minute I decided to send my laptop with Deborah to Sacramento for repairs, so I am without a lot of my files & pictures, therefore it will make it a little difficult to post as often as I would like until I get computer back. I am going to do the best I can.


BUT, I have to say CONGRATULATIONS to my favorite NASCAR driver, Kasey Kahne. He won his fourth Busch race today!! yay!! :)

I am hoping he will be able to sweep the weekend with a win tomorrow!

For anyone who is interested, Nascar.com did a nice write-up on today's race.

Happy 21st Birthday Richelle

There is no Friend like a Sister

There's no better friend than a sister-

There's no one more loyal and true...

and even when sisters are different...

their likeness come shining through.

Perhaps it's a family resemblance

that strengthens the bond they share...

or maybe it's just that sisters live life with a similar flair!

A sister remembers your collegehood-

She knows more than you will admit

of times you were Little Miss Perfect...

and times you gave others a fit!

She's seen you in some situations

when silence just wouldn't suffice...

and managed somehow to get by with those sisterly words of advice!

And when some encouragement's needed...

a sister will always be there...

to listen...

to laugh...

or to lean on...

to comfor, or simply to care.

There no one who's more in your corner...

and no one you're more grateful to.

There no better friend than a sister...

and no better sister than you.

from "There Is No Friend Like A Sister"

by Mary Engelbreit

Richelle, I love you more than I can express. You are the best sister that Tara & I could ever ask for!

Now, lets have some fun! :) :) :)

Stuffed Pork Loin

Sunday's tend to be our family dinner & movie night. This past Sunday Richelle & I thought we would show everyone our BBQ'd Stuffed Cream Cheese, Galric, and Spinach Stuffed Pork Loin. :)

Ingredients:
3 1/2 pound Pork Tenderloin
Butter
Spinach
Cream Cheese
Garlic Cloves
Roasted Minced Garlic (we love Trader Joes)
1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 cup Wine Vinegar
1/3 cup Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Spread:
8 oz Cream Cheese
2 Tablespoons Butter
6 Cloves of Garlic

Spread the garlic cream cheese evenly on the butter flied pork loin. Then place any where between 2-4 cups baby spinach on top of the cream cheese. Close the pork loin and tie with cooking twine.

Pre heat Kamado to 350 degrees and cook for 30 minutes.

Flip and cook for another 45 minutes.

For our side dishes; we had sliced tomatoes with balsamic vingear and salt & pepper along with Brussels Sprouts and we made extra cream cheese & garclic spread to toast on sourdough bread.
And you can't forget the delicious Dos XX & Black Label (for my father) ;)

Eat Up! :)

ps...The movie we watched was "Walk the Line". For anyone who has not seen it...Go and Rent It!!! It was sooooo good! :)