I need to wear gloves

[minoanmiss]

My fingernails are stained with charcoal dust.

Still it is very satisfying to get a fire going. Today's victim was a beautiful chuck roast that Wolf didn't have a chance to cook. I can't wait to see how it comes out -- I haven't seen yet, because it stalled spectacularly.

The "stall" is when certain cuts (famously brisket) reach a temperature in the 140s or 150s and their temperature rise slows precipitously. Instead of the meat just absorbing the heat as a 'black box' it starts using the energy for chemical transformations including the melting of fats and the hydrolization of collagen into gelatin, which means the energy goes 'into' the reactions rather than increasing the temperature further. I don't know why but this lovely well marbled chuck roast stalled for ~2 hours. I had to give up at 165 and swaddle it and bring it home. TL kindly preheated the oven so I could chuck it right in as soon as I arrived.

I'm a little worried -- it's leaking from the probe holes. I hope I'm not about to cook all the juice out. But cooking is an amalgam of art, science, adventure, and love. Here goes.

Comments

[amaebi]

I have confidence-- though I also hold my thumbs. :)

[minoanmiss]

*beams* It came out juicy and delicious!

[gingicat]

Yay!

[minoanmiss]

I really hope you enjoy it :)

[amaebi]

I am not even slightly surprised.

Brava!

[princessofgeeks]

Low and slow, baby. You know what to do.

Keep us posted. Sounds delish.

[minoanmiss]

*happy dances* it's so good I want to eat the whole thing

[lb_lee]

The rona is making it hard for me to stomach much, but I take vicarious pleasure in your culinary adventures!

[minoanmiss]

*sends tummy settling vibes*

[amaebi]

I'm so sorry you've got COVID! May it depart soon, without leaving any souvenirs.

[lb_lee]

It's okay, my case hasn't been too bad! It's flu level, I got off easy.

[amaebi]

Whew! I'm so glad!

[or_midnight]

Had absolutely no idea that meat did this, and I'm fascinated. I also craved juicy roast beef tonight out of nowhere, so please enjoy a bite or two for me!!

[minoanmiss]

I wish I could email a slice or two to you!

[kshandra]

I meant to ask in the comments on your last fire-related post: Does it have to be a match, or would an Aim-n-Flame or similar work?

[minoanmiss]

Fortuitously a coworker decided we needed a fire stick like that. It isn't strong enough to light the charcoal or the fire-lighter sawdust bricks, but it DOES light matches! So I've been using it to light matches and using the matches to light the sawdust bricks. Great minds and all that :D

[acelightning73]

Stick slivers of garlic or ginger into the probe holes.