I definitely feel like I’m in limbo during this time of year. I know the groundhog said 6 more weeks of cold weather but I never trusted that big fat rodent. Known as a woodchuck or a Whistle Pig (that’s actually a pretty good whiskey), I refer to the groundhog as just Vermin.

Honestly, if I had the fortitude, I would smoke a ground hog and make it tasty! Hahaha. Actually a couple friends of mine in Wolfsville like eating Groundhog. Maybe, to get over the distain I have for this animal I should smoke it and eat it! That’s something for me to contemplate…….Maybe next year.

Okay, enough about all of that.

So, how about Valentine’s Day? What does this day mean to you? Historically it has a handful of meanings from Roman fertility rights to Christian traditions honoring martyrs named Valentine. I’m not that smart but google is. Haha.

In modern day, it seems that V-day has turned into a corporate holiday with sales of flowers, chocolates, and heart shaped boxes at an all-time high. Just a dozen reds almost triple in price from what they would cost the week before.

I try not to get into all of that. For me, this day is meant to celebrate the one you love and cherish. Sometimes life gets hectic and daily chores & priorities overshadow the most important things in life like professing your love to your life partner, wife, husband, girlfriend/boyfriend or just someone special to you.

I do believe that as a culture, we should profess our love to the one we love on a daily basis and not just once a year on February 14th. Why must we wait until then? Right?

I will say that if you do want to do “The Chocolate Thing”, check out Christopher Elbow Chocolates! They are out of this world and can be ordered online anytime. I found this company last year when I had a sweet tooth and let me tell you, I’m hooked. I have had to dial it down because my blood sugar was dialing up. Woops!

Another treat for your Valentine could be a big ole smoked meat platter, right? Why just chocolates? You can’t just eat chocolates. You need lots of good protein prior to dessert, at least that’s what my Mother used to tell me.

Black Hog can hook you up with that smoked meat platter. Anything from tender juicy smoked brisket, award winning St Louis Style Ribs, and smoked pork shoulder to smoked turkey, Sicilian grilled BBQ chicken, and Arkansas beef BBQ (aka our burnt ends). Call at least a day before. If you mention this blog, we will give you 20% off of any smoked meat by the pound. When you place your order just say BLOG#3 so we know to attach the discount to your order. Pease call ahead to ensure we have enough.

Remember, we smoke our meat every day in small batches to ensure high quality fresh BBQ. We don’t use leftovers or reheats!

I’m a little bias towards BBQ, but at this stage in my life, I would rather have the best beef brisket and a side of really good mac & cheese verses a seven course whimsical meal with 27 different ingredients on a dish as you leave the restaurant hungry. You know what I mean?

I can’t wait till the season changes. Before winter hit last year, I broke down my cinder block all-purpose pit. As soon as the ground dries up a bit, I’m gonna rebuild that pit closer to my woodpile and all my other smokers.

I do have a surprise for myself that I just remembered. Last year, I splurged and bought a classic 94 gallon Millscale Offset Smoker. This thing is downright “The Beast”! It’s been parked in my garage all season. Before the winter came in strong, I was able to season it 3 times with real post oak from Texas so this baby is ready to roll.

Honestly, one of my character flaws or personality pitfalls has always been the tendency to lose interest in something that I started off pursuing passionately with extreme motivation. This has reared its ugly head over the years throughout my business ventures and personal life.

Rather than back track and discuss the past, I can wholeheartedly say that I have never faltered or lost interest in creating REAL BBQ. My passion for this craft only gets stronger as I get older and hopefully wiser.

So Hoggers! Stay tuned, stay safe, and stay positive. Tell your loved one that you love them and want to be their Valentine!

Sincerely:

Mike Tauraso – Pit Master & CEO – Black Hog BBQ