Today was my scheduled day to post on this blog but I was hoping to have done so a lot earlier than this. I was definitely dragging my feet as my creativity level dropped as the hours swooshed by. So here I am, finally, with the same mental block I had earlier, but I am determined to post successfully....
As I wrote my introduction, I introduced the acronym D.I.V.A to all of you. These four letters stand for the key elements you need for cooking success. Of course, this is as I see it and mentally have set this approach from the start of my cooking life. So today, I write the first post of a series to follow on the disasters that do occur in the kitchen, regardless of how much skill, technique or cooking knowledge you have. A new DIVA DISASTER will be posted every Friday, through July 31st.
Nothing can ruin a day faster than having to toss your main entree into the trash after spending and wasting all that time in your kitchen anticipating a great meal or at least an adequate turn-out.
I'm sure there won't be a last time that I've had to opt for take-out or settle a for sandwich, because I "effed up" and I mean BIG TIME! But in every failure is an experience and a lesson learned; And perhaps a way to SAVE. SLIGHT. SUBSTITUTE just to be able to put something on the table. I want to share with you my disasters over the years. There are many to name but the most important ones will make their own headline each week.
DISASTER #1. Barbecue Baby Back Ribs
There wasn't a barbecued rib I wouldn't eat until the day I glazed my ribs with honey and chili sauce. The prep time alone was excruciating, as I made a sweet dry rub and marinated these ribs for the better of 24 hours. They smelled amazing, uncooked. I started grilling them wrapped in aluminum foil. They were set on medium heat. This is the norm for me when I grill anything. The slower they cook the better they turn out. Halfway through, I opened the foil and began mopping this amazing sauce ontop of them. It was a little bit more than just chili sauce and honey (recipe to follow), but what in the world was I thinking, when I closed the lid and walked away? When I realized my mistake (11 minutes later), my beautiful ribs were charred. Now, we're not talking having bark on them, this was the whole damn tree! The honey went from the carmelization stage to this is history in minutes. How in the world can I salvage this? I immediately removed the rib racks from the grill and ran into the kitchen. I cut away as much of the burned areas I could without losing the meat. The inside was overcooked, falling off the bone. Nowhere near a perfect rib. I made a huge mess, as little charred crumbs wound up everywhere. I couldn't even remove the ash from my fingers. Who the hell would eat this? So, although I didn't attempt to serve it as is, I removed all the meat from the ribs and cut them up into bite-sized pieces. I warmed up some honey barbecue sauce I had in the fridge and tossed my pieces around in it. I served it over a bib lettuce leaf, with corn on the cob, baked beans and home-made coleslaw on the side. Everyone loved it. Regardless, I was disappointed. Lesson learned: Don't walk away from your grill...don't close the lid, unless necessary. Remember anything sugary burns in a flash and mistakes, thankfully can be disguised.
Visit the RecipeVault for CHICAGO STICKY RIB SAUCE.
COMING UP.
- WE'RE HAVING MUSTGO!
Well I can certainly agree with you. I too have had disasters happen to me. At least you were able to rescue your main dish. In my case it was a side dish of fresh string beans. As I was tossing them with oil and garlic my chewing gum flew out of my mouth and melted directly onto the string beans. There was nothing I could do but throw them out. So yes disasters do happen to the best of us. Love your blogs. Keep them coming.
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