Introduction

[brandt]

Hey everyone,

My name is Brandt and I hail from the 'burbs of Portland, Oregon. I'm currently building a curing cabinet and have a summer calendar full of bresaola, coppa, soppressata, lonzino, and various other dried pieces of pig. Right now I'm on a steep learning curve.

My most common method is sous-vide, which I've used to make short rib pastrami, thanksgiving turkey, and bonesless leg of lamb.

I also have my dad's Smokin Tex, which I'll be experimenting with soon. I have 20# of Copper River Reds in the freezer that I need to do something with, so I think the smoker will be put to good use.

 

[sfprankster]

Welcome aboard from a former Hawthorne District resident. Had to escape, too much rain for me...

You'll find a great group of people here willing to help and answer any questions you may have.

Have fun!!!

 

[brandt]

Thanks for the welcome, Prankster!

Funny coincidence that you escaped PDX for Santa Cruz. I have my eyes on San Luis Obispo when my kids graduate from high school. I was born in Cupertino and was forcibly moved up here when I was two. Been trying to put my roots back in the old hole ever since.

 

[sfprankster]

I'm down in and near SLO(more so in Paso Robles) quite often for work. Beautiful area that's growing FAST!!!

Not sure how long ago you were in Cupertino, but a lot has changed there as well.

 

[brandt]

I left Cupertino in '73. I'm down in the bay area fairly regularly because most of my extended family is down there. My grandparents lived in Los Altos, and then in San Jose. That's REALLY grown since the  '70s. My dad used to work in the orchard where Apple now resides. 

I used to spend a lot of time at Santa Cruz. Most of my sunburns came from that beach.

I'd like to get in to SLO or someplace nearby before the prices get California ridiculous. Homes there are comparable to some of the mid-priced neighborhoods in Portland now. I do see a lot of higher density housing being built. Probably necessary, but not my thing.

 

[sfprankster]

I live 20+ miles from Santa Cruz in the mountains, outside of a little 1 stop sign town. Doesn't get more rural than this in CA. At least not this close to the Bay Area. 

SLO will surprise you, ever since Paso Robles went from 8-9 wineries to currently 300+, the prices of homes has taken a rise in the entire area as well. 

 

[SmokinAl]

 to SMF!

Glad to have you with us!

Al

 

[brandt]

Thanks SmokinAl!

 

[gary s]

  Good afternoon and welcome to the forum, from a cloudy and soggy day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about  everything.

Gary