Varmint's Pig Pickin', Version 2 -- 9/4/05

[Malawry]

OTOH, it was strange for me to follow so many recipes this weekend. They were mostly Dave's recipes and I felt an obligation to make them as he intended, so I actually measured and added in the sequence he specified. The hush puppies always take a recipe, as do all breadlike goods, but I rarely cook anything nonpastrylike while following a recipe.

[hwilson41]

Splendid folks, just utterly splendid! Wish we could have been there, but maybe next time. And the food...sacré bleu...I have seldom if ever seen such a feast prepared by so many loving and competent hands, with or without jewelry .

I showed some of the pics to my wife and suggested we do a mini version here. The concept was fine with her (because I'm the cook ), but she got a little queasy about the pig in the bathtub, so we're doing BBQ shrimp tonight . With cheese grits, and biscuits...or maybe hush puppies. Thanks again to all, and especially the McCords, for allowing me to enjoy this vicariously.

[Gifted Gourmet]

I want to know who took the first bath in the tub after The Pig?

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Actually, Varmint also prepared a goat for the occasion but I think the goat used the shower ...

[Curlz]

I suddenly remembered that the Pickin' was this past weekend, so I logged on this morning to see the pics. Thanks VERY much for making me laugh numerous times! Jason's porn pics rule, as usual, and every once in a while a caption got to me too. But did you have to further torture me with this?!?

Speaking of cocktails, Katie Loeb's Lemoncello makes an excellent Arnold Palmer.

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I'm a huge fan of a good Arnold Palmer. I'm also a huge fan of Katie's Lemoncello, so this basically puts me out of commission. Thanks a LOT.

[KatieLoeb]

Thanks Curlz! When the Bobolink Potluck gets re-scheduled for the springtime, I'll make sure I bring some Limoncello for more Arnaldos. They're just as refreshing on a nice spring day as they are in the summertime.

[Gifted Gourmet]

A few of my own photos to add to the wonderful album everyone has posted of this glorious weekend:

One of my favorites at the Pig Pickin' had the fewest calories ... thank you, Perlows from Weight Watchers!

The biscuits sun themselves on Dean's counter ...

shrimp bathed in butter ... how bad could that possibly be?

spicy spareribs in the sun on Varmint's counter await the grill ...

and how divinely decadent those hush puppies beckoning from the fryer ... thanks, Malawry!

[Carrot Top]

For not laughing at me when I brought my rabbi to a Pig Pickin' ... sure it was a huge display of chutzpah but he raved about it and bought the t-shirt to wear (probably while giving his "Live a kosher Life" sermons) ... he had never seen bacon used in so many unusual ways ... draping the goat with strips of bacon really knocked him out! 

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I really like the idea of bringing a personal rabbi to a Pig-Pickin'. I really like it.

And it also has great possibilities as the basis of a good children's book, too!

So. . .what did he eat, Melissa? Or was his feast just of the beauty and the cameraderie of it all?

[Carrot Top]

I want to know who took the first bath in the tub after The Pig?

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Actually, Varmint

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And that's as it should be.

[Gifted Gourmet]

He enjoyed many an item and smacked his lips at the dessert table as I arm wrestled him for the last bite of caramel cake ... he loved the ambiance, Varmint's love for traditional fare, the warm breezy night, Hummer's rendition of many old tunes on his keyboard ....

He averted his gaze when the pig made its appearance, preferring instead to quaff the libations of Loeb ...

[Varmint]

I love the fact that for years I'll be able to tell people that a rabbi came to my pig pickin'!

[Gifted Gourmet]

I love the fact that for years I'll be able to tell people that a rabbi came to my pig pickin'!

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a claim few can honestly make, I daresay ...

[foodiehall]

I wish I could post something original here instead of just echoing the praises of others who were at Casa Varmint this past weekend. Aside from the great food, it was such a pleasure to be among so many good people on such a lovely afternoon. It was truly a day when "....nothing could be finah than to be in (North) Carolina..." If you have the chance (again) to be part of a Varmint-organized Event, don't pass it up....this guy will see to it that you're well-fed and that you have the time of your life. Three cheers for the V-man and his clan!!

Cheryl, pearl-wearing GRITS

P.S.--....if only he hadn't invited all those bleeping flies

Edited September 7, 2005 by foodiehall (log)

[Gifted Gourmet]

P.S.--....if only he hadn't invited all those bleeping flies 

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au contraire, cher foodiehall, a few so enjoyed the food that they signed up as new members here!

[herbacidal]

Dean,

much love and respect to you for hosting the shindig.

I liked the stews the best myself from Sunday night, and the risotto from Saturday.

[Fresser]

I love the fact that for years I'll be able to tell people that a rabbi came to my pig pickin'!

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Rabbi Ribeye, meet Father Tenderloin

Father Tenderloin: Shalom, my circumcised brother! How about a mosh?

Rabbi Ribeye: Thanks, Father, but I'm kind of old for reckless dances.

Father Tenderloin: Dances? I just thought you'd like a snack after your long trip.

Rabbi Ribeye: Oh...you mean a nosh! Sure, I could use a hush puppy.

[philadining]

.....Hummer's rendition of many old tunes on his keyboard ....

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What? Did Charlie forget the words?

(oh, and I didn't realize this post would toggle over to a new page... go back a page, don't miss Fresser's screenplay for "All this smoke, and what, no salmon?" the Movie)

Edited September 9, 2005 by philadining (log)

[KatieLoeb]

That's it Fresser! Now I know you're nuts!

[Daniel]

Wow!!! Thats a serious bbq.. Great pictures too... Looks like it was a lot of fun....

[Fat Guy]

There's a wonderful story about the Pig Pickin' in today's News & Observer, by Debbie Moose. You can read it here.

"As the 120-pound guest of honor reclined in Varmint's bathtub, soaking up a brine, the cooks took over the kitchen, peeling peaches, mixing biscuits, shredding duck and chicken for Brunswick stew, slicing squash and chopping tomatoes and okra. . . ."

[Jason Perlow]

And an excellent article it was, capturing the very essence of the event. Great job Debbie!

[Gifted Gourmet]

Perfect as the Pig Pickin' turned out to be, your article got it just right! Bravo, Debbie! and one cheer as well for Dean and his patient family as we invaded his 'space' en masse!

[ronnie_suburban]

Very nice job, Debbie. Great piece!

Why am I suddenly jonesing for deviled eggs?

=R=

[Gifted Gourmet]

Why am I suddenly jonesing for deviled eggs?

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You ain't alone there! The mixture of blue cheese topped with bacon and creamy yolks has many of us drooling in memory so sweet!

[Jason Perlow]

Let me re-inforce that fond memory:

[Gifted Gourmet]

Let me re-inforce that fond memory:

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This is cruel and inhumane treatment, Jason ... but it was incredible going down our ravenous eGullets!