Using that Incredible Kitchen

I've been having a great time using my Kitchen.  I love the oven and stove, but the warming oven has been the greatest invention ever.  When we are having people over for dinner or breakfast I don't have to try and co-ordinate so that everything is done at the exact same time.  I just finish a dish and place it in the warming oven, then when it's all ready- Voila everything is hot and delicious! The other very cool thing about the warming oven is that we can use it when we make BBQ.  Jay has a great smoker and he makes some of the best ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken.  BUT to get that slow and steady heat and flavor he has to be out at the smoker most all day tending the fire.  We have discovered that if he smokes the meat for 2 hours (brisket a bit longer) and then we bring it in and wrap it tight in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and put it in the warmer for 2-6 more hours (depending on the meat we are cooking pork takes the longest) it comes out perfect and we can go about our business while the oven does it's thing.

 

Now that's a serious smoker

My next two favorite items in my kitchen are my pot filler over the stove and my flat top grill.  Since I love to make jelly, soup and pasta I boil a lot of water.  Carrying the heavy pot to the stove is now a thing of the past.  Put the pot on the burner, slide over the filler and filler up!  When I need a little more water for the soup or whatever- slide the faucet over and done!!  The flat top is great for pancakes, toasting tortillas, grilling buns for burgers (which by the way, the next thing I am going to make is a grilled burger) and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Jelly season is upon us and I have added a new Texas treat.  Wild Mustang Grape Jelly- It is really good.  Our neighbor, Darvin took us to a couple of places where we could pick all the grapes we wanted.  I got enough grapes for 4 batches of Jelly.  So far the reviews have been great!  Almost time to harvest the Mesquite beans!

Still working on the label- any comments welcome!