Anyone as Daring as I?

[pellet]

My wife works in a plant that produces organic spices and other products. Occasionally there are under or overweighed or other issue that the product cannot be shipped and is put into a freebox for the employees on a first come first serve basis.or she can buy for our own use at her cost. So We tend to get many herbs and spices,most anything under the sun. Anyway, I Like to make chili and other soups and stews and when I smoke I just start taking spices out of the cupboard and if it says good on meat, poultry, soup etc. I smell it and if it smells good I add it. I have had good luck doing this in the past couple of years since Ive had the smoker. I put things in my brine, I also put it in a bowl with olive oil for basting the skin and never had a a bad taste yet. Ive even put sometogether for rubs. I dont keep track of what I put in or how much. I have been asked for the recipie I used and cant produce one and have to admit that I threw everything but the kitchen sink in. I guess I like living dangerously like that. Is there anyone else that does the same? Just curious.  For the big bird this weekend I am going to use a convetional brine recipie that I found here but going for the spices on a rub.

 

[adiochiro3]

sounds like you have a great connection!  I would love to have access to pricey spices and herbs like you!

 

[SmokinAl]

Yea wouldn't we all!

 

[rbranstner]

I do the same thing to a point where I will throw anything that sounds or smells good into my smoking but I usually try to jot it into my smoke log as I am all about recreating something that is good. I get a little ticked off at the wife from time to time because she will look up recipes on the internet and then combine 2 or 3 of them but she never keeps track so if I want her to make it again it's almost impossible. She has been getting better but she still does it frequently.

 

[mossymo]

Your spice connection has me jealous!

I would suggest to start taking notes and jotting down ingredients and amounts you use... My wife is big into canning and cooking, about 6 years ago she made up I don't know how many quarts of salsa like she does each year using her old method of a little bit of this and little bit of that. The salsa was out of this world sensational and to this day she can not duplicate it.

 

[pellet]

I need to write it down, at least if not how much I guess I could put whats in it. Usually tho, its just a couple shakes of this and a pinch of that til I get that aroma that is just right. Earlier this year she brought home a jar of BBQ sprinkles. They're like bacon bits and are great for shaking on meats or cooking, I am going to try some on ribs as a rub.

 

[alelover]

I made some Eastern Carolina Vinegar BBQ sauce for the wife once that she said was the best ever. I have no idea how I made it.

 

[sprky]

Been there done that got the T-shirt. Couple years ago we had a ton of green tomatoes just before a frost, I wasn't going to wast them so I made green tomato relish. I searched the net for recipes, found several I liked and combined them. I tweaked this and that never keeping track of how much or what. The relish was KILLER, my Mon loved it so much she wanted the recipe as it was better then hers. I told her i could give her the basics but not exact as I had no clue what i tweaked. She told me to always keep track of what I do so I can duplicate it. Lesson learned to always keep track, cause to this day I have not gotten the same results, always been good just not as good.

 

[venture]

I often do that with marinades.  I have made so many, I know the basic elements needed.  From there, sometimes it just goes according to my mood for the day.

It backfires, tho.  Once in a while I get a real gem.  My other half tells me to make it that way all the time.

What the h...   do I do now?  LOL

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[pellet]

I do woodworking as a hobby and I tend to divert from any plans no matter how much I vow to follow them and end up with my own version  and everything  I make is unique in its own way although similar in design. Thats how it seems I like to tinker with flavors. But will try to take notes so I can share and to get others opinions. I have to be careful though, the wife doesnt care for spicy.