Thursday, December 4, 2008

Mmmm... Sliders

Well, I have my next cooking assignment. It isn't until New Years though so I will definitely be making something in between now and then. I'm going to be making some pulled pork sliders for a New Year's party I am going to. What is a slider you ask? It is essentially a miniature version of a hamburger. White Castle is a classic example of what a slider is (they are also called belly bombers by some). What is great about sliders is that you get all of the taste and flavors of a regular hamburger in a bite size package that can be enjoyed along with other appetizers.

Why not apply this concept to world of barbeque? Sure it is always good to have a giant pulled pork sandwich that will put you to sleep for the rest of the night. But New Years is about staying up late and if everyone eats a ton of barbeque, it is going to be hard to make it until midnight. With that said, I am going to be making some pulled pork sliders to ring in 2009 properly. I will be coming up with a special spice blend and depending on the timing, may try making my own barbeque sauce again, although after a lot of experimenting, I have concluded that the best and most affordable barbeque sauces you can get are sold in a bottle.

On a side note, while I was home in Boston for Thanksgiving I went back to The Village Smokehouse for some of their mammoth beef ribs. That place delivers every time. Hats off to the pit master over there for delivering unwavering quality in his barbeque.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I saw your post on the Village Smokehouse and thought you should know that they have opened a second location in the historic Arts District of Downtown Lowell, MA, an area that has seen a boom in business as part of an area renaissance. The Lowell VSH is about triple the size of Brookline.

The place is beautiful. In keeping with the historic neighborhood, the outside façade of the building was untouched in the renovations. The décor inside the restaurant is all new, with beautiful exposed brick walls, and an open kitchen that showcases the barbecue pit.The bar area is great and has several flat screens.

The original Village Smokehouse has been around for 21 years and I am told that makes it the oldest bbq restaurant in the Boston area (beating out Redbones by a few months)

Most importantly-Lowell has the same great menu.

Jared said...

I noticed that they had opened the Lowell location on the website. Good to know that the quality is still the same. Didn't realize it is the oldest restaurant in Boston, although it doesn't surprise me. Red bones is a good place also, but it doesn't have those signature beef ribs that make the VSH the top boston barbeque spot in my book. Is there a menu item there that is your favorite? It is hard for me not order the beef ribs, but I feel like I should at least try something else on the menu.

thanks for reading

Margy said...

Mmm....last year I made burger sliders for a "kid friendly" New Year's Eve party and the adults ate all the sliders - the kids were bummed! I like the idea of pulled pork sliders and think I'll do the same thing. Thanks for the great idea!

Jared said...

HB,

You will not be disappointed. Just make sure you make enough for everyone, including the kids because they will go fast. I'll be making them at the same time you are so definitely let me know how they turn out.

Thanks for reading

Anonymous said...

I agree that sliders will be the hit this year, I am making them as well. My inspiration were ginger braised spicy pork sliders from one of my favorite restaurants. I have searched for a recipe but to no avail. Anyone have a recipie they can share? The ginger is key!!

Jared said...

Diane,

If you find a recipe for that, please do share it. That sounds great.

Thanks for reading.