In honor of our long weekend in Napa–you know, the trip that you won for us–I have done the unthinkable and brought the laptop in hopes to share snippets throughout our trip. Should we ever leave California, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled cooking next week. But I’m not making any promises.
Oh people. Come, hither. Sit down, have some wine. Try to summon in your mind the awe-inspiring amount of information one can absorb in twelve hours of applied grilling class, all that direct versus indirect heat, smokers and infrared and Japanese ceramic egg grills, lump charcoal and applewood chips, muscle and protein, brine and sear, marinade and sauce and rub and ignition and meat, my god, so much meat even the pictures give me a meatover.
I’m about 29 heirloom tomatoes and 300 sugar snap peas from returning to my former, non-cavewoman self, and it’s going to be a day or so before I can get to all of the tasty stuff we learned. Until then, don’t let me forget to tell you about our beyond fabulous grilling partner, this meal, that one and the awesomeness to come before we leave on Tuesday, our bags bursting with bottles of Sinskey and jars of homemade gifts. We are hopelessly spoiled. We wish you were here.
[Psst: If you’re coming from an RSS reader, you’ll have to click through to see the slideshow.]
Hi Deb,
You and Alex were the best grilling partners ever. Thank so much for your wonderful company during our two days of chopping, basting, grilling, (sometimes burning), soaking, under pressure from our chef author task masters. Your photos are gorgeous; you have a truly amazing eye. I love the compositions of these shots. Have a wonderful time for the rest of your trip. Hope to see you again soon! xo
Oh you just made me “SOOOO” Homesick!
It doesn’t take much to conjure up images of the vineyards this time of year, and I miss them terribly. (See, i grew up jus’ over the hill from Napa, in the city of Sonoma. Even lived in Napa for 6 months before life took me to less hospitable (and expensive) places.)
If you get time, just sit and enjoy a sunrise (or sunset) over the vineyards. It’s well worth it!
Napa county rules! There is a difference between County and City. It’ll bite ya
Loved seeing the photos and trying to imagine what fun you guys were having grilling with Elise, who I just adore. Looking forward to hearing more about the grilling tricks you’ve learned.
So Saturday? BBQ in the skybar?
Oh, my…Deb and Elise. As grilling partners. I can hardly wait to read more about it!
I am so hungry and it’s all your fault! Glad you’re having a fabulous time. Wish I was there too…TO EAT!
Sadly, the glowing coals in the first picture excite me just as much as all that sizzlin’ meat in the rest. Grilling, creme brulee, needless lighting of extra matches…I truly am a culinary pyro.
Wow, what a slideshow…I am going to have to get BBQ for lunch and dinner now! Those cheese stuffed hamburgers remind me of the (rightly famous) burger at Fathers Office in Santa Monica, CA. which you really should try if ever nearby. Yummmm.
Jealousy doesn’t begin to describe what I feel right now. You deserve all the laurels though! Lovely pics! Thanks for towing along the laptop to share with us all! That shot of the ribs coming off the hot grill almosts makes me what to eat meat again…
oooooh, aaaaaaah. Wow, wow. double wow.
Seriously! I live right on the other side of Highway 12. What the heck am I doing at work when I could be enjoying the last of summer? You’ve made me just a bit more grateful for where I live!
Can’t wait to see the rest of your photos, especially from Auberge. Some of the prettiest views from there.
Dazzling photos, Deb.
Spectacular!
Deb, you are so wonderful and dedicated to bring the laptop along, and to get up photos so quickly! The photography is fabulous (is it heretical to say that my favorite pic is that of the proscietto wrapped asparagus?), and I look forward to hearing more upon your return!
Oh my! I don’t know what I’m more jealous of you for: the fabulous trip with all the food and wine or the handsome man in the photo you’re spending it with! At the very least try to share some of all this grilling education with us when you get back :)
ooh you guys make grilling look so sultry!
DAMN. That grill is sexy.
Wishing I was you…but not really “you”…just wishing I was in that car taking a photo of me taking a photo of myself.
Please, please post the veggie stuffed peppers recipe! Your trip to Napa looks like my favorite kind of trip, filled with copious amounts of delicious food! I feel proud that have voted for you!
Hi Mari — The recipe is in the next post– “Napa Wrapper.”
Wow Deb. I know I’m coming at this months late as I make my way through your archives (lucky me!), but I have to tell you that you really outdid yourself with this set of pictures. They’re all just beautiful.
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