Alder chips are the preferred smoke flavor in this house, followed by apple. Nothing better for salmon than alder smoke on the grill.
I've never set foot in Wally world and hope to never in my lifetime. The wife loves it for some things, so I'll drop her off at the door and go a few blocks to TSC and while away the time until she sends me a text. Our beef is locally sourced through a friend and usually has had a name. If we run out, Costco is the next best.
MANY years ago I worked at a ski resort in the winter and packed mules in the summer. Budgets were tight and I lived on a lot of beans and quesadillas. I did discover that the Safeway would mark their meat down mid-week when there were fewer tourists. I'd buy a 2 pack of filet mignon steaks on Wednesday for like $3. Yeah, they were a bit brown in the package but they tasted great after a few minutes on my grill and washed down with a $5 bottle of red wine. Oh to be young again (sips on his anjeo tequila).
How about we abstain from union talk (or send it over to the politics forum) and return to MEAT? Or even adult beverages? Fireman, did you know that plain old tulip poplar is very similar to alder for smoking purposes? Makes it a lot easier for us in the southeast where alder is unobtainium.
And next time you enjoy an anejo, try stirring in just a tiny bit (like 1/8 tsp per oz.) of blue agave. Heaven!