...because we are getting a Big Green Egg!!!
What? you might be saying? What is a Big Green Egg (hereafter referred to as BGE)? It's a ceramic grill and smoker which is loved dearly by its devotees. Here it is, in all of her glory:
I worked with a chef a few years ago who had a BGE which he used all the time (and made delicious things like amazing brisket and lamb bacon, and smoked maple syrup); he convinced me it would beat out all other outdoor grilling/smoking/cooking options and ever since I have been hoping and dreaming for a Big Green Egg.
This Saturday, my dream will come true, thanks to new RW sponsor the Hamilton Parker Company. If you are interested in seeing a BGE in action, please come join me this Saturday, May 1st at their Columbus (near East side location) from 10am-noon, when Doug the Grillmaster will be cooking up some brisket (mmmm....brisket).
What makes the BGE special is its ability to maintain incredibly consistent temperatures for long periods of time (the general consensus seems to be one can smoke an entire pork shoulder at around 225 degrees without ever opening the egg). It can heat to temperatures in excess of 800 degrees F, which means I can make really great pizza in it! and sear big steaks! Because it maintains temperature so well, it also works well as an oven. And to boot, it uses about 1/6th the amount of lump charcoal as typical charcoal grills, AND, it doesn't require any chimney starters - it's ready in 10 minutes. (I am most of this on their claims and from talking to some people I know and trust - we'll see how it works!)
So. I pick up my BGE on Saturday. Of course I have to work Saturday night so I won't be able to experiment right away, but I'm thinking I'm gonna fire that baby up on Sunday. No here's the hard part - something hot and quick or long and slow? Maybe both? Maybe something hot and fast and then let the temperature fall a bit and put in a pork shoulder.
I will, of course, be documenting this and pretty much every other BGE dinner. So, what do you think? What would you like me to do first? Assuming I can score some local asparagus this Saturday at the Farmer's Market, there will definitely be some asparagus on that puppy.
