When I'm Not Cooking Barbecue

I like to eat bbq, cook bbq, read about it and blog about it; but in recent months I've been doing a little less barbecuing and a lot more fishing. Not bass or crappie fishing - carp fishing. I can hear the groans as you read this all the way in Michigan, but before you dismiss my "second" hobby because "it's just carp" take a look at these pictures.

16.4 pounds

17.0 pounds

I caught these fish in late October in a 30 minute period. I fished for bass, blue gill and crappie for a lot of years, but never caught anything this big let alone 2 of them within 30 minutes.

I think I can work bbq into this new way to pass the time also. Sometimes it can take a couple of hours to get a bite, so that leaves plenty of time for cooking some barbecue too.

I have also created a new blog to document my fishing and to hopefully raise some money for charity at the same time. Please check it out. It's called Michigan Carp Fishing. With the new fishing blog I am hoping to help raise money for lupus research.

Top 10 BBQ Blog List

A few years ago I was asked to write a guest post on another website listing my Top 10 Favorite blogs about barbecue. I re-visited these blogs tonight to make sure I still agree with my original list. I guess my Top 10 List is now technically a Top 9, because Martin's BBQ Blog is not longer being updated, but I want to leave it on my list as a reference for others thinking about starting a bbq restaurant. Pat Martin, the proprietor shared a lot of insightful information from "behind the scenes" that's worth reading.

All Things Barbeque

This is the blog for one of the winningest teams on the professional Kansas City Barbecue Society cooking circuit. If you're into BBQ contests, this site is for definitely for you. Not too heavy on BBQ recipes, but very large on BBQ contest information, pictures, and all the contest happenings.

BBQ Blog

This blog is an extension of the world reknowned BBQ Forum created by Ray Basso. Contributors include serious BBQ enthusiasts from all areas of the country giving their own unique view of BBQ.

Bucky's Barbecue and Bread

This site is a wonderful source of recipes with a fair amount of BBQ recipes and pictures sprinkled in. I've met the author several times on the contest trail. As we say in the south, he's good people.

Cowgirl's Country Life

This cowgirl knows how to cook. Tons of pictures, recipes, and country cooking - BBQ and otherwise.

Fat Johnny's Front Porch

Wonderful food pictures, recipes and good music. Need I say more? 

Martin's BBQ Blog

If you've ever thought about starting a restaurant, or specifically a BBQ-themed restaurant, Pat Martin's experiences chronicled on his blog might make you think twice, or three or four times. He has documented the entire experience from start-up to full operation on his blog.

Old Dave's Po-Farm

Dave cook's just about anything in a BBQ smoker. He provides pictures, recipes, and an overall BBQ philosophy that is refreshing and rewarding. Pizza, corn bread, pork butt, ribs, and chicken. You can tell he loves to cook.

Q Haven BBQ Blog

A documentary for New England BBQ contests, this site is also filled with tasty recipes and pictures. There is a fair amount of KCBS BBQ competition results too.

Ulika Food Blog

Written by a professional BBQ contest competitor, this blog is a reliable source of information for the BBQ community in Nashville, Tennessee. The blog includes articles about BBQ restaurants and competiions in the area with lots and lots of pictures.

WhiteTrashBBQ

I visited this blog initially for the catchy name, but I keep going back for the recipes and insight into the New York BBQ scene. The site features reviews and news about New York restaurants - not just BBQ ones.