Storytime

On the weekend I went to my first ever BBQ festival. I went with five men who were ready to celebrate the carnivore within. Now I know a little about these slow cookers---other half has one at home. But until now I didn't realise the huge variety of cookers - there were barrels and egg shaped ones, box shaped, ones like ours which resemble a small train (puffing billy in fact) and even this one... How great is that?  Not only did I get a lesson in the various types of cookers / bbqs available - it was also time to learn some of the lingo.  Talk of fireboxes and creosote. The difference between a dry brine and a rub. What makes a good bark (yes bark)- how to assemble the flavour base then the flavour layers . Talk of blind box, hickory pellets versus apple shavings.  Then of course there was the tastings... It reminded me how language plays a large part in creating an atmosphere. At the BBQ everyone talked of ribs and briskets, of flavour b...