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Trail Rations

9/3/04
Among the aspens
above Mancos, Colorado


Well, pardners, as we all know, the grub out on the trail is often hit or miss. Everyone has their own favorite sort of "emergency rations". Many a fine thing has been said for beany weenies, and a number of you may favor rat cheese, crackers, and sardines. It has sustained many a cowpoke, and I wouldn't say a thing against it, if you're in the mood.

I knew a rocket scientist once who swore by hard-boiled weiners. Nothing quite like 'em. Pickled pig's feet with boiled eggs in brine are another favorite, though they tend to make the crowd a bit musical later in the evening.

Since acquiring an RV, though, I've come to experiment a bit.

Tradition has its place, but tonight I invented a concoction which, though it may seem odd, I think you'll find quite tasty after an afternoon of singing softly to the lowing herd down by the water hole.

Or even quoting cowboy poetry, to calm the occasional feral four wheeler passing by in a rumbling cloud of dust.

When coming through Mancos the other day, I picked up a 5 pound pork loin roast. This afternoon I put it in a roasting pan and spread it all over with Joy's Chimayo Red Jam (www.joysinc.com). Made from red chiles, it's not quite the same flavor as Jalapeno jelly. But it carries its own punch.

Then I sliced up a couple of bartlett pears into quarters, and set them around the roast. All this went under foil and into the oven at a nominal 375 degrees for three and a half hours, which browned it to a turn. The jam glazed nicely, and the pears combined with the peppers to make a savory jus.

Served it up with mashed potatoes and a pale yellow ear of buttered sweet Olathe corn. Libation was a modest, moderately dry cabernet.

At the suggestion of a fella named Canoli, I even used my mothers old crystal. I must say it looked swell in the flickering light of the Citronella tub candle.

Now I know most of you would rather have Smores, but you got to branch out now and then. Give it a try. I think you'll like it.

In fact I'd like to share this with you all. There's more than enough. But, alas, I don't believe it will travel well.

So I guess I'll just have to tuck into another serving. O well.


Bob,
out where the deer and the antelope play



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