I’m Smoking two Beef Tenderloins (Dad paid for it!) for tonight. My side of the family gets together on Christmas Eve. I experimented with an awesome sauce that’s not too horseradishy and a little cheesy. What the heck is Gorgonzola? was my questions to. It’s sort of like blue cheese.

Gorgonzola/horseradish Cream Sauce
4 cups heavy cream
3-4 ounces crumbly Gorgonzola cheese (not creamy or “dolce”)
3 Tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 Tablespoons prepared Horseradish
In a large saucepan (cream expands and makes a mess!) over medium-high heat, bring cream to a full boil. Boil rapidly 45-50 minutes until thickened like a white sauce, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat, add all ingredients. Whisk rapidly until cheeses melt.

To reheat, warm the sauce over low heat until melted, then whisk rapidly until sauce comes together.

Tyler, Ethan and I take a road game trip every year with the camper. Part of this tradition is the quest for good BBQ, especially ribs. We found 2 good spots. This year we’re in Alabama to see the dawgs play the War Cam Eagles in Auburn.

Chuck’s BBQ in Opelika: “Jesus the bread of life” was on back of the employees’ t-shirts.Maybe its just me, but I like my ribs a little chewy, not quite so tinder. Chuck’s ribs fit my preference. Ethan usually gets pulled pork. Chuck’s pork was OK, I’ve had better. The beans and slaw were real good, too. I called to ask them if their ribs were baby backs or spare ribs. They told me spare ribs, but we were served baby backs.

Mike and Ed’s in Auburn: the t-shirt back said “you can smell our butts for miles”. M n E’s had better ribs. Better sauce. They had a strange concoction called BBQ slaw. It was slaw with BBQ sauce in it. Very good. The joint was jam packed. I think we were the only non-tiger fans, which has got to tell you something. Mike and Ed’s sweet tea was awesome. Evidently, the serve a lot of it –>

Since August 26th was our 19th wedding anniversary, we took a two nighter up to Highland’s North Carolina. This was our first trip to Highlands, but we’re looking forward to going back. There are dozens of neat local eateries and shops. The Rib Shack was awesome. We had some St. Louis ribs that were smoked with a dry rub with sweet sauce added before serving. Sweet Tea and atmosphere were good. We also had a serving of pulled pork with a vinegary sauce with a little kick (much like our own Circle M BBQ). Our sides were great black-eyed peas and Sweet Potato French fries (they were delicious) Kevin: ribs 6, tea 8, ambience 9 Ann: ribs 10, tea 9, ambience 9.

DonLeon’s Deli Café (Highlands NC)This was a pretty cool local shop serving an awesome Reuben sandwich. DonLeon’s has a unique atmosphere with little signs and quotes all over the walls. Ann’s favorite was “PMS=Putting up with Men’s Stupidity”. Sweet Tea was great. Kevin: ribs na, tea 7, ambience 9 Ann: ribs na, tea 9, ambience 8.

Maybe it’s an Alabama thing, but all 3 Tuscaloosa rib shacks serve their ribs cut apart. I liked this and will order my ribs this way from now on. The ribs were more tender than Dreamland, yet a little burnt. Very cool atmosphere for ribs. Tea was great. Danny V would be surprised how good the teas was even though the lemon juice came out of a bottle. Beans had a tad too much kick and slaw was good. Kevin: ribs 7, tea 9, ambience 9. Tyler: ribs 8, tea 10, ambience9.