Two weeks ago, we descended on the mountains above Boulder, Colorado to cook for sixty people out of a tent in the woods. It was the Big Fish Foundation's 4th Annual Fundraiser and we turned out some tasty food.
I wrote an article about the emotional experience and my friend Chris Slye left an insane comment on that article. She said,
"I am so grateful you decided to come this year and love on everyone with your delicious cooking. Our whole family couldn't believe how amazing the food was. My four year old said "the meats" on Sunday night were the best she had ever tasted (I agree) and of course all of the Slye kids were 100% big fans of the ice cream sandwiches. But really, I was just blown away with the love you and your guys poured into the food, because anyone can cook food to be edible, but not everyone can make people taste the love in it. So thank you, thank you, thank you!"
A big comment that means so much. Chris clearly gets what we are all about and she inspired me to expand on the previous article to share the menu.
Taco Prep
I'm writing this for three reasons:
- To provide reference for future events.
- To share cool pictures of what we cooked.
- To raise awareness for The Big Fish Foundation.
We cooked all of this from a tent using a flat top "plancha", a three burner Camp Chef Stove, a pig roaster and a cooking dome over open fire we named the "pulpo" (Spanish for octopus).
THE MENU
Thursday Dinner:
"Tacos A La Leña"
Beef and Chicken Tacos cooked over Oak Wood (Leña means firewood in Spanish)
Served with Pineapple Salsa and Avocado on corn tortillas.
The average taker took seven tacos.
Beef Chuck marinated in Super Radical Rib Rub and Olive Oil
Friday Breakfast:
Bacon, Eggs, Roasted Tomatillo Salsa and Fruit
Shaver Leads The Way
The Flavor
Thursday Lunch:
Lemon Pepper Chicken with Cole Slaw
Nick Dupuy AKA Sweetness ate three pounds of coleslaw!
Here's the chicken:
Two Beef Chuck Rolls Top Left Rolling Low and Slow for Dinner
Friday Dinner:
Smoked Beef Chuck, Super Radical Pork Ribs, Baked Potatoes, Mango BBQ Sauce
Here's the Chuck Roll with a nice smoke ring. We cubed it up and let it finish in its own juices.
Smoke Ring up front, Smoke Dome in the back.
Super Radical Ribs
Saturday Breakfast:
Chorizo and Egg Burritos with Guacamole
One of my favorites.
Arturo and GC Burning the midnight oil to get it done!
Saturday Lunch:
Cheeseburgers with Watermelon
Here's a screenshot from a video as this was "go time" and not a lot of picture taking. We packaged the burgers in foil and held them hot in the grill so people could grab and go.
Primitive is better than sophisticated.
Between breakfast and lunch, Arturo and I ran to Costco for our seventh flatbed of food.
Saturday Dinner:
Tomahawk Steaks, Short Ribs, Fried Rice
Tomahawks in the dome. We finish seared them on the grill.
"An egg in anything makes it better." - Anthony Bourdain
This is a screenshot from a video of the bones pulling right out and the meat falling apart.
Nice smoke ring too!
Sunday Breakfast:
Sausage Scramble with Pancakes and Oatmeal
Griddle Cakes to start the day.
Sunday Lunch:
Chipotle Turkey Chili with all the fixins' and Tortilla Chips
We started it on the flat top and finished it in pans while we made our last trip to the grocery store.
THE LAST SUPPER:
Big Fish Lu'au
Whole Roasted Pig, Beef Ribs, Potato Salad, Green Salad with Mango.
Chipper Ice Cream Sandwiches for dessert.
I didn't get any pictures at the end because it was time to wrap things up. We set the buffet line, said our goodbyes and headed to the airport.
Here's a picture of the pig prep.
Here are my friends Brian Yolitz and Carleen Mathews. Photo by Jeff Case.
Chipper Ice Cream Sandwich Supplies
In the end, it was a whirlwind adventure jam packed with friends and food.
The cause is a worthy one and we are glad to be a part of it.
Big Fish is running their fundraiser through June 30th. If you'd like to help prevent veteran suicide,
If you'd like to get involved, please reach out. Helping people is hard work and we can always use an extra set of hands.
Until next time, HOLD FAST.
Your Pal,
Paleo Nick
