My favourite turkey photo opportunity.

Again this year the bird was brined in apple cider and herbs. The smoking was courtesy of apple wood and lacquered with smoked bacon. The cast iron stuffing was upped with duck confit. All the veggies roasted lovingly by Ms. Vicky.

A hardy and filling dinner for all with the host hitting the sheets hard after all had reached their capacity of  L-tryptophan and baked treats for dessert.

I hope all had a great Christmas and wish you a wonderful New Year.

Be well world.

Working as a meat manager I have been introduced to cap steaks, or in other words, Picanha.

I thought, until last night that it was a cheap, tough cut that was a last resort on the sparse shelf of the store or that it was just a way to get rid of the sirloin cap of fat. I was extremely mistaken.

This was one of the most succulent and flavourful cuts I have ever had.

The trick I found through talking with the Brazilian gentleman that buys it once a week from me was to go hard and fast on it over fire and keep it medium rare so it doesn’t toughen up.

This has to be my best steak of the year. Just salted (heavily) and let to rest for about an hour at room temperature before introducing it to the flames it was a send from the carnivore gods. Served with a chimichurri sauce and some quick pickled scotch bonnets it was a hit.

It just goes to show you that there are no bad cuts. It’s just how you treat them. Kind of like people.

(no discussion there), then this is how we started the New Year.

Drooling aloud and expected…

Cast iron seared sirloins (rare for my mine), broiled lobster with garlic and parsley butter, seared scallops with a vermouth butter drizzle, potatoes au gratin and carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

It’s going to be a glorious year.

Christmas is over. Bubbles & Squeak in the cast iron yesterday. I hope Christmas was full of love, laughter and good food. Here’s a recap from the Tait/Flood night. Smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, maple parsnips and salads galore.

Be well and eat well.

Another year, another Turkey Shoot. If your counting that makes 27 in a row.

As a family we value Thanksgiving more than Christmas. Ours is a weekend long festival of togetherness and love. Souls and loved ones have passed and new blood has joined in to keep us passionate about life and resilient to the scars that the years can create.

My children have never known a year without this gathering and hopefully never will. Time spent in front of the fire talking about what has transpired in our separate worlds and gathering strength from sharing thoughts and stories.

This year a new soul graced us with his presence. Asa, the happiest baby in the world brought his smiles and laughter to the table while Alex and Nicole shared their engagement news with the family. Love reigned abundant as always.

Thanksgiving is always a gift we treasure. Thank you everybody for standing against the tides of time in which we could have lost this experience. Be well for 365 days till the next one.

Papa Tait

Yes it’s that time again and the turkey will be over the fire on Sunday. 

Pictures and words to follow. 

Start drooling now!

Nickle Brook Maple Porter Bratwurst with onion and red pepper gravy. Get inspiration at the Beer Store!

Here’s a little something to make your outdoor cooking experience a little more creative. Check out @GOoutdoors recipe book designed with the outdoor adventurer in mind. See if you recognize one of the contributors. 

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/camping-recipes