The First of May, the First of May, Outdoor Cooking Begins Today!
posted April 14, 2013 7:50 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Sun May 19 at 4:00 PM, Greg_Ace's house
4414 Southeast Center Street, Portland, OR, USA (Map & Directions)
We can't let National Barbecue Month pass by uncelebrated, can we?
We're doing a grill/BBQ-based potluck, where everything (well, except maybe dessert) (and beverages) is done outside and over fire or in a smoker. Including vegetables...and maybe even fruit. What else? Let's think outside the oven...

I have a smoker, and anyone who wants to bring over meat for me to smoke is welcome to do so. I'd need to have beef or pork by Friday evening the 17th as it will likely take most of Saturday to smoke; fish and chicken take less time - MeMail me to make plans.

I have only a small Weber grill, so anyone who has a portable grill and is willing to bring it please do so, so that we don't have to stand around serially grilling one or two items at a time.
posted by Greg_Ace to Meetup (60 comments total)

What else?

Bread! Apples! Very small rocks!
posted by cortex at 6:16 AM on April 15, 2013


The first of May is too early! I was actually just coming by IRL to propose a meetup for the middle of the month, since I'm moving out to Portland on the 7th.

But peaches are really, really delicious on a grill. Maybe with a little balsamic vingar.
posted by duien at 7:05 AM on April 15, 2013


Bread! Apples! Very small rocks!

A duck. Actually that's not a bad idea, anybody know the best place to get fresh or frozen duck around these parts?

duien - I wasn't really suggesting May 1st as the meetup date, we can figure out what day works best for everyone here in the thread before I make the event final.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:17 AM on April 15, 2013


At this point, all I have to say is: please not the weekend of the 11th and 12th. All other dates A-OK.
posted by mimo at 9:36 AM on April 15, 2013


So that leaves the 18th/19th, or 25th/26th.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:01 AM on April 15, 2013


Excellent! Either of those weekends works for us.

I like this duck idea quite a lot. They are some tasty critters.

My fiancé has some previous whole-animal-cooking experience (resumé includes two pigs, a goat, and a lamb) which he's agreed to lend to the festivities if desired. We won't have any facilities for roasting, but could probably assist with cinderblock oven creation if anybody is feeling adventurous.
posted by duien at 10:32 AM on April 15, 2013


Hello! I am said fiancé, and would indeed be glad to help out if desired. I would also be content to just show up with a side dish if there are already sufficient (or excess) cooks in this kitchen.
posted by djspinmonkey at 10:45 AM on April 15, 2013


That's an intriguing idea, but maybe too ambitious for this round. And since I rent, I don't think I could get permission for building a cinderblock oven. But the idea's worth discussing for the future....

I've got an electric smoker and a small Weber grill; there's plenty of room at my place for people to bring additional grills so we can cook a bunch of stuff at once.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:57 AM on April 15, 2013


Assuming the date ends up working out for me, I can bring a small Weber grill, but I'm not sure I can do a good job of cooking anything on it, so if someone else has an idea but needs grill space...

I would eat some duck if there was some. Or how about some fish? Is anybody good at grilling fish? Or maybe I could bring some over to throw in the smoker...
posted by Secretariat at 11:26 AM on April 15, 2013


Fish is good, it only takes about an hour in the smoker (or just a few minutes on a grill). If you decide to do that, I'd recommend brining it first (MeMail for details if you need 'em) to keep it from drying out.
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:48 AM on April 15, 2013


The 18th/19th would be best. And of those days the 19th would be most ideal since a newish Mefite would be able to attend with us (I was actually planning to propose a meetup for the 19th).
Unfortunately, we will be out of town the following weekend, unless anyone's up for Memorial Day?
posted by nickthetourist at 3:31 PM on April 15, 2013


I could make it the 18th/19th.

I'll bring rocks! Mmmm, smoked rocks. Er, that makes it sound like drugs.
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:45 AM on April 17, 2013


It's looking like Sunday May 19 is the way to go. Any objections?
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:42 PM on April 17, 2013


I could probably attend this!
posted by Kpele at 1:19 PM on April 17, 2013


works for me! woot woot!
posted by vespabelle at 1:34 PM on April 17, 2013


19th is good for me!
posted by Secretariat at 1:40 PM on April 17, 2013


19th it is.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:41 AM on April 18, 2013


Wow, I wonder if I could get one of these set up in time for the meetup...
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:38 AM on April 22, 2013


Is this still a thing?
posted by dersins at 8:32 AM on May 11, 2013


You bet your Sandra Bullocks it is.
posted by cortex at 9:01 AM on May 11, 2013


Yes indeed, though I doubt Ms. Bullock herself will be in attendance (but if you're reading this, Sandra, consider it an enthusiastic invitation).

I'll be out later today to procure a duck for smoking; I'm also planning to smoke a pork roast. If anyone else has something they want smoked (fish was mentioned, for instance), let me know sooner rather than later since the process takes a while and needs pre-planning.

I'm going to buy a second inexpensive grill, but again I'm asking that any others who can bring grills and their appropriate fuel, please do so. The idea is to be cooking several things at once so that it's all ready at more or less the same time...which will take more than just my two small grills!

Also needed: food to grill (not just meat), non-grilled side dishes, beverages.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:10 AM on May 11, 2013


I will be NAMI-walking that day so I am a "maybe", but I have a portable grill if I manage to make it and will bring that.
posted by grootless at 1:50 PM on May 11, 2013


I'll be out later today to procure a duck for smoking

A smoking duck?
Oh, wait....you probably meant one like this....
posted by nickthetourist at 3:49 PM on May 11, 2013


You'll find out which once you get here.
posted by Greg_Ace at 7:03 PM on May 11, 2013


You'll find out which once you get here.

Either will be interesting, no doubt.
posted by nickthetourist at 8:38 PM on May 11, 2013


I'd still like to bring some fish for the smoker, if there's going to be space (if not, then for a grill). I was also thinking I'd bring some zucchini. I think I can bring a grill and whatever charcoal we have kicking around, some metal skewers, and whatever spare veggies or fruits are sitting around here on Sunday- maybe we can work out some sort of kebabs.
posted by Secretariat at 10:26 AM on May 14, 2013


Yep, space a-plenty in the smoker. You'll definitely want to brine it for a couple hours on the morning of the meetup; I'll MeMail you more detailed info this evening.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:50 AM on May 14, 2013


I think this could be good; if nothing else it makes for an amusing read.
posted by Specklet at 10:19 AM on May 15, 2013


That does sound tasty. I tried grilling romaine hearts once before, but I don't think I did it right and the results were meh. I'm willing to give it a shot with a different recipe.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:49 PM on May 15, 2013


I can't make it, but sibilatorix might bring a native sourdough bread. Even though that's thinking inside the oven?
posted by aniola at 12:57 PM on May 17, 2013


mimo and I are bringing some tasty appetizers.

I'd like to do a brief memorial toast to Prince of Cups. I think he was mostly a cocktails guy, but I don't know the first thing about cocktails! So I'll bring a bottle of something for us to share. If you have a cocktail you like and would like to bring things to make it for anyone who might be interested in trying it, that would probably be appropriate as well.
posted by curious nu at 3:43 PM on May 17, 2013 [1 favorite]


Aviation might a be good toast. I've got gin and maraschino around, but no creme de violette or lemons.
posted by Secretariat at 2:22 PM on May 18, 2013


I've also got fixings for mint juleps.

Incidentally, just in case anyone needs inspiration, a few ideas I've come across for non-meat grilling:
- bell peppers
- onion halves
- potatoes
- corn
- tomatoes w/ fresh mozzarella, basil chiffonade, and extra virgin olive oil
- hard squash filled w/butter & brown sugar
- asparagus
- stuffed mushrooms
- artichokes
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:19 PM on May 18, 2013


I've picked up the fish (grabbed both some salmon and some steelhead) for the smoker, and some zucchini and asparagus.
posted by Secretariat at 4:25 PM on May 18, 2013


Sibilatorix is bringing a molasses kombucha. I recommend putting it to use as a base for a BBQ marinade!
posted by aniola at 4:35 PM on May 18, 2013


Sounds tasty!

HEADS UP: I got a notice that 42nd Ave might be blocked between Powell Blvd and my street due to construction, so if you're driving it might be easier to go past Powell on 39th/Cesar Chavez and (assuming you're coming from the north) turn left on Francis St, then jog right then left onto Center St. If you're taking the 9 bus along Powell, you should still be able to walk past the construction on 42nd without a problem.
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:04 PM on May 18, 2013


Looking back on that I realize that it may be too brief and lacking in details. If you have any questions about how to get to my house, feel free to MeMail me and I should be able to respond promptly.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:44 PM on May 18, 2013


I'm an idiot as if that's news. On re-reading the notice it says "later this summer", so ignore my last two replies. As you were, ladies and germs.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:55 PM on May 18, 2013


I'll be bringing some dessert, and maybe some drinks. Do we still have a stockpile of MexiCoke?
posted by Sibrax at 12:22 PM on May 19, 2013


I'm bringing sloppy joes and key lime pie.
posted by fiercekitten at 1:27 PM on May 19, 2013


There's 4 MexiCokes left.

If we're going to have cocktails, someone needs to bring ice, since I doubt my 4 trays will be enough.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:30 PM on May 19, 2013


My sourdough starter didn't wake up in time to bake bread, but I might bring some experimental sourdough pizza to grill. Also, tempeh in a kombucha-based marinade.
posted by sibilatorix at 1:55 PM on May 19, 2013


Djspinmonkey and I will pick up some grillable veggies on the way over. Since we're going to the store, anything else we should grab? Offer limited to things that will survive a bus ride.
posted by duien at 2:01 PM on May 19, 2013


I can pick up a bag of ice on the way.
posted by Sibrax at 2:07 PM on May 19, 2013


Maybe someone could grab a couple of lemons, or some lemon juice if we wanted to make a few aviations? No big deal if not, I figured I'd just throw the gin in the car in case it was needed.
posted by Secretariat at 2:39 PM on May 19, 2013


Corn! Red peppers! Pears! Lemons! These things have been acquired.
posted by duien at 2:57 PM on May 19, 2013


I'm bringing smokey deviled eggs with bacon (and without.)
posted by vespabelle at 2:59 PM on May 19, 2013


Man, it turns out on review that moving our dumb little Weber grill would be a lot of mess and effort for it just being a dumb little Weber grill, so I think we're gonna not bring ours and just proceed in a spirit of optimism and friendship without it. But we've got some fish brined and dried off, and some veggies prepped for instant grilling satisfaction.
posted by cortex at 3:08 PM on May 19, 2013


That'll do, pig. That'll do.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:13 PM on May 19, 2013


I'll be coming later, probably 6ish, and swinging by a grocery store beforehand, so if there's anything the party needs (more ice, more beer, etc.) let me know and I'll pick it up.
posted by Tsuga at 4:19 PM on May 19, 2013


Thanks to Greg for hosting! Hello new peoples, come to more meetups!
posted by curious nu at 9:11 PM on May 19, 2013


Thanks everyone! That was great as always!
posted by Lutoslawski at 9:30 AM on May 20, 2013


Indeed! Great time, nice to see new people, am pretty sure my body is made entirely out of smoked meat now.
posted by cortex at 10:15 AM on May 20, 2013


Yummy food and good company as usual. (Special recognition for the smoked fish and the cookie truffles).

There was mention of another fish and chips meetup at Horse Brass.
posted by mimo at 10:19 AM on May 20, 2013


Thanks to all for coming! I would be up for a Horse Brass meetup.
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:30 AM on May 20, 2013


Yay, everything was delicious.
posted by Secretariat at 10:57 AM on May 20, 2013


Thanks for the great welcome to Portland, everyone! I had an awesome time, and I'll definitely be attending again. Also, thanks so much to the providers and cookers of all the seriously delicious food and drink.

I was instructed to post my photo of the winning haiku, but it's basically completely illegible. So:
Going around punching people
Licking things to claim them as your own
Synergistic management solutions

posted by duien at 11:52 AM on May 20, 2013 [2 favorites]


Someone wanted to find duck eggs. I suggested the food co-ops, but aniola informs me that craigslist is also a good source.

Anyway, thanks for the tasty food and fun times! Great to meet and re-meet you all.
posted by sibilatorix at 11:05 PM on May 20, 2013


Specifically, the farm & garden section of Craigslist.
posted by aniola at 10:02 AM on May 21, 2013


Once the farmers markets start up, you should be able to find some sources for duck eggs there too! I also used to work with a woman who would sell duck and chicken eggs on craigslist whenever they laid more than she could eat, so seconding craigslist.
posted by Secretariat at 3:03 PM on May 21, 2013



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