In the mad rush of Smoke Day, we didn’t give them the proper beer and onion treatment.  They went straight from the freezer pouch (defrosted of course) to the hot grill.  The reason we (I) made the assumption about the veal, was because the flavor profile was very similar to the white brats–made with veal–you see in a lot of German/Swiss butcher shops around here.  Appearance-wise they resembled the typical coarse grind of a Wisconsin brat (the white veal brats are a finer grind and more homogenous in color and texture).  The spicing was very delicate compared to the more assertive Wisconsin brat.  They were a nice addition to the Smoke Day menu.
 
Thank you Mr. Hoffman for sending them our way.
 
All in all it was another fantastic Pie fest/Smoke Day.  JRPfeff put our his usual display of smoked meats.  Brisket, pastrami, pulled pork, ribs, salmon, and the much unexpected burnt ends were crammed onto the cutting table.  Over in the side dish tent were cole slaw, amazing baked beans (made using a recipe from Jack’s Stack and spiked with a shot of Roadhouse “Southern Sunset” Bar-B-Que Sauce), corn bread sticks, a couple different versions of guacamole, and in a slight nod to healthy eating, some actual salad!  I know there was more on the table, but my brain is overwhelmed trying to remember it all.
 
The Pie Diva worked her magic: she made a crowd of people, stuffed from eating too much Barbecue, hungry again for pie.  Please, please, please don’t make me try to list them here.  There were 30+ pies, ranging from fruit to cream based.  The best I can do is describe the first piece I had, S’mores Pie.  A graham cracker crust held a rich, deeply flavored dark chocolate filling topped with a sweet sticky layer of marshmallow, browned creme brulee style.  Who needs to go camping when you’ve got the Pie Diva putting it all together for you in one pie pan?  I know I ate more pie, but it all became a blur after the S’mores.  All I know is, I’ve got at least eight more pieces of pies sitting in my refrigerator waiting to be experienced.
 
Thanks to all who cooked or otherwise made it a most enjoyable day!
 
Buddy