Don't tell me a foodie like yourself hasn't had the tomato and onion from Luger's yet!!!

See, I left a lot out of this story, but I still haven't made it fully back from vegetarianism. Meat is still a side-dish to me, I can't get into baked fish, (but like a good little Jewess, shellfish has a ton more appeal), and I don't care for steak. Crazy, I know.

That said, despite having nothing else to eat at Luger's, the tomato/onion is great.

awwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barbecue is NOT something with lines on it. Spoken like the true North Carolinian I am (I'm a Western BBQ-er, but I married an Eastern BBQ-er, and now I dig his more.)

Deb, I vowed to never eat meat again...THEN along came MY HUSBAND! I remember it oh so clearly...it was a super bowl party we were having...the damm BBQ sauce soaked meat balls did me in! I still haven't forgiven him!

Wow, this gives me hope. I am the EXACT same type of vegetarian you were, except that I eat bacon.
People don't understand it, but it's because my vegetarianism is rooted deeply in taste.

But maybe one day I'll like meat again?

I understand completely - since I moved in with my partner and discovered the joys of barbecuing, I've never turned back :-)

Me too! (Why does your blog act as a confessional so often?) I am a bona-fide, non-leather-wearing vegetarian - or WAS, until I moved in with my boyfriend and developed a taste for all things gelatinous (jubes, jelly snakes, yoghurt) - things which I had previously avoided for 12 self-righteous years.

Coincidence that the move and the dietary change happened the same year? I doubt it, it's happened the same way to several of my previously-veggie friends. Kind of sad that as we get older and more comfortable, our principles get more "flexible".

I still buy non-leather shoes. And recycle, and catch the bus. But the Bacon Day cannot be far away.

damn you smitten, now all i want is bbq and its 10:30 in the morning!!!

Hey smitten. I had the same experience. I was vegetarian till my wonderful, meat-eating boyfriend came along and now I love my steak medium-rare. I still cry a little inside when I look at the slab on my plate but the feeling fades once I'm savoring it. I still love my tofu and edamame and even meatless groundbeef but there's no substitute for the real thing and oooooh the taste....oooooooh the great taste...I want some bbq now...sigh.

my boyfriend and I are both vegetarians so I know he won't change my ways! we are a team on that one, and I find that makes the difference. so, yah for soy and tofu!

But have you gotten your husband to eat vegetables?

If you think Rub is good - give Blue Smoke a try. Seriously, my fiancee and I are big BBQ fan (Dinosaur BBQ ribs can't be beat) but Blue Smoke blew everything out of the water. Try the fried chicken, pulled pork and St. Louis style ribs. And be prepared to order an extra side of Mac & Cheese - it's the best I've had in a restaraunt (including the new place S'Mac)

My husband is excellent about eating vegetables. In fact, 75 percent of the meals I make are vegetarian and even the ones with meat, it's more of a side dish. Maybe I've ruined him? :)

[I got a comment from the hot sauce blog! Woot!] Blue Smoke is AMAZING. I work two blocks away, and we get to go there whenever someone takes pity on the impoverished edit staff. But, I was shocked when the guys said yesterday they think RUB's ribs (fun to say) are better. I humbly voluteer myself and my lawfully wedded for a taste test.

i use to LOVE baby back ribs but i turned vegetarian half year ago...it still looks good when i see it but i dont crave it anymore

I was reading your old entry.. have you gotten around to the bacon veggie burger? I order them all the time! Although usually with avacado, not cheese. Sometimes I just don't feel like a greasy burger, but it's a rare day I don't feel like bacon :)

Mmmm, NC has the best BBQ I've ever had. Now that I'm a Cali girl, I crave it often. Do you have any good NC Pulled Pork BBQ recipes I can make at home? It seems to be the sauce that makes the difference...
(side note) Smitten, I somehow clicked on one thing & then clicked on another until I ended up on your blog. I read the 1st one and was hooked. So I went back & read all your archives as if it were a book (which I think you could do with your posts & already have avid readers to buy it). I am now caught up and love hearing about your life w/Alex and seeing all your wonderful photos of your most recent adventures. I've written since I was little but mostly for myself. But you've inspired me to start a blog of my own. Do you have any tips for me? I have yet to figure out how to post photos, and can't wait to be able to add them. I'd love it if you could check it out and give some helpful advice. It's a work in progress and so new to me, it's kinda scary.
Well, thanks for your lovely writing:)
LoLo

In addition to LoLo's post - I too have just recently become addicted to reading the archives of your blog. I just took my first trip to NYC a couple weeks ago and find your blog about the city so facinating. Thanks for putting everything out there for those of us with not-so-exciting lives to read :)
Kristen

Deb, as a follow-up to my last cookie related question -- when you say you bake on "parchment" -- is that the same as wax paper? If not, what is it (name of a brand...??)

THANKS AGAIN. I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!!

No kidding, huh? you have the best archives, it was so freeing for me to experience your growth process...I think you can be credited with alot of peoples forays into blogging, just because you are so sincere. I credit you with my going back to college, after reading the whole "job" quandry, remember? You made me realize now is the time, later never comes.
I think women in general feel the need to mask their sincerity, so we can laugh it off if we get caught with our emotional bra strap showing, but you have none of that self conscienceness, and it is a tremendous example for the rest of us. We all appreciate you, Deb, you little sweetie!
Oh, weighing in about the post..13 year vegetarian, not going back. Nothing to do with taste, everything to do with EATING NECROTIC FLESH! Hello? haha. But do as you like, fo sho, get you some bar-b-que, city girl :)

Parchment paper is a little different from waxed paper in that it's not waxy yet things still do not stick to it. It's a little pricey (or, it is around here, though still less than $10) but lasts forever. I've taken to using it with a lot of things and am very happy with the results. That it saves us a scrubbing job in our small kitchen sink doesn't hurt either.

Deb,

To echo LoLo, Kristen & Jessie...I'm an archive reader too. Although you've had me since "Foolish Notions"...I was crying/laughing and immediately addicted.

However, YOU, Mrs. Smitten have ruined me! I just tried the bacon/veggie burger combo (with cheese of course) and it truly is a thing to be savored. Granted it was from Duchess, but I figure when you can recognize actual vegetables in the patty and it doesn't taste like sawdust it counts for food.

As for the boy ruining your vegetarian eating habits with bacon - my brother did the same with his girlfriend. She held out for a good, long while, but the smoked, crispy swine did her in finally...watching her gush over a gorgonzola stuffed cheeseburger or my grandmother's turkey dressing (made with Jimmy Dean sausage and ground beef as a base)is a sheer delight. We can't even bring ourselves to rub it in.

Re: BBQ: If it's good it don't need no sauce at all...and that's the sign of good pulled pork, that you forget to even put the sauce on it. But then you see that hot pepper vinegar sauce on the table and you put it on and you're like OH MAH GAAAWWW. MAH GAWWW!!!!

Debbie, when are you and Alex going to visit me in Carrboro NC so I can take you guys to the canonical Allen & Sons?! OH MAH GAWWWW

If anyone wants to *try* to imitate Carolina BBQ at home they should slow- smoke a pork shoulder (but remember, true East Carolina pork BBQ uses whole hog) in a smoker cooker outdoors (see Justin Wilson's Gourmet and Gourmand Cookbook for lots of smoker-cooker instructions). Keep your spice rub really simple and peppery, as well as your sauce.

I think it makes more sense to just fly into Raleigh and then drive half an hour to Allen & Sons though.

and the sauce: NO TOMATO!!!

I was an ovo-lacto veggie, then an ovo-lacto-pesce veggie for 8 1/2 years. Until last week I finally gave in to a craving I've been having for, oh, about a year, to try it again. And, it was weird. But good. Not sure I can try bacon (oh no! the piggies) or beef (cute brown eyed cows) but I find the whole "try it again" experience weird still.

The best part of being a Northerner in the "South" for two years, was learning to find and love a good BBQ. Unbelievable when you find a good place! I'm hooked forever!! That's coming from a Yankee. Mussells by the shore are great, but give me pulled pork anyday.

Debm

Come to Memphis, I'll take you to Corky's and the Renedevous(sp) where the President just ate with the Prime Minister of Japan. Lovely, gorgeous barbeque that will make you just have a food orgasm and no one will mind. They are experiencing one too!

Well, if the gods smile on me this winter, and you're interested, I'll send you some genuine (that's pronounced jen-you-eye-n) Mississippi venison...smoked sausage and some hind quarter.

Deb,

Would you be willing to share some of your favorite tofu recipes? As someone who is toying with the idea of becoming a vegeterian, I have been put off by just one thing: I have yet to try tofu that tastes good outside of miso soup. Thanks!

bad