T
he Fat Man here doesn’t usually plug food from other folks, but in this case I’m going to make an exception.
Thursday’s from May to October Nicollet Mall in MPLS becomes a mile long farmers market. Actually, it’s really grown over the years and now, between the normal farmers market stuff, the several food trucks, crafty stuff, political booths, musicians, performers, and street preachers (My favorite today the guy screaming the gospel wearing a “Cover Your Breasts” hat, I mean come on, who’s offending who here”), not to mention 1000′s of office workers, tourists and Twins fans it’s quite the sensual and tactical affair.
And I usually like to drop a few quid on some veggies while I’m there, especially later in the season when you’re actually buying stuff from Minnesota.
Anyway, I happened to stop while working my way thought the crowd in front of a booth where a certain Chef Earl happened to be selling a line of BBQ Sauces. This weekend at the lake I’m doing up ribs on the BBQ, daughters been asking. Sad thing is no one is going to be there, and I do make some good ribs.
Anyway, BBQ sauce was on my mind when I happened to find myself face to face with Chef Earl, turns out he’s not only a good cook, he’s a good salesman as well. Before I had a chance to say no I was tasting his many sauces:
Sweet Hickory, Golden Honey Hickory, Mesquite D Lite, Somewhat Spicy, Stupid Hot, That’s Hot and Extreme.
Holy cow, they were excellent, way better than store bought and waaaay better than the stuff I’ve been making this summer. Wayy.
Personal favorite- Stupid Hot. Sweet, tangy, not particularly hot to be honest but for Minnesota standards, it had a bit of kick. The balance of flavors was what had me hooked. Awesome.
I bought a bottle of the Sweet Hickory and will be using it on the ribs this weekend EXCEPT.. kids found it and tried on the burgers I made for dinner tonight. Might need to get another bottle, they drained about a 1/3 of it they liked it so much.
I suggested that they just skip the meat and pour it into a glass over ice. Might have done it too had I now intervened.
I don’t know the story behind Chef Earl… need to learn more. I do know that ffor the moment the only place you can get this stuff is directly from him, either contact him or hit one the Farmers Markets.
There is a website and maybe someday soon you’ll be able to order from there.
Remember, Sank only plugs what he himself loves.
Here ya go-
BTW, looks like they’re just getting started and there is no contact info on the website yet. More to come I’m sure.
