Franklin Barbecue a Meat-Smoking Manifesto
I have never reviewed a book before,which I believe this is not or even want it to be but I feel this book which I have just read by Aaron Franklin and Jordan Mackay is now a part on my complex soul.
People who don’t know me I am a photographer and an ever growing foodie. Not long ago I could not cook a flaccid bean but the idea of cooking was some thing I wanted to understand. The past 2 years since I have my own house and my own back garden I have been trying to understand a true non English version of barbecue. I started to research and learn the art form of Meat Smoking and American style barbecue. The fascination with american barbecue and American culture is not a new one for me. My whole live I immersed my self in American culture from my music loves to TV shows I would not miss.
The food interest started with me over tens years ago with some “Ten Minute Cooking School” videos from film director Robert Rodriguez where he shows you a Texan brisket and beef ribs. Up to this video I knew nothing of this and since then it has never left my psyche. Lets flash forward to 2 years ago while I was geeking cooking and home barbecue technique, I came across this man called Aaron Franklin on YouTube. What made me stop when I was fishing through the troves of endless info,it wasn't just vainly his name “Aaron”. We share the same tremendous 5 letter arrangement but the font for the thumbnail (which jumped out at me) and the eye-catching imagery on the thumbnail was the reason the reason I stopped by. So old school and quintessentially linked to this Texan/American culture I was so used to seeing I couldn't help but click the play button
What could I say about his channel, it was not just so well made and written, it also made believe in my own belief that I could one day smoke meat with real fire. I found my self biting at the bit for Aaron's next release. Now lets come forward again to the beginning of this year 2015 when I discovered from his Facebook page that a book manifesto on meat smoking by Aaron was going to released in early April, I couldn't believe it and I pre ordered as soon as I could.
I knew from Aaron’s passion and demeanour towards barbecue it was not just going to be a book full of half clues, small hints and endless padding which I find some books can be. My friends and family see me as a bit of a geek and I like to go deeper then most in to a notion of understanding and this book didn't let me down.
When the book arrived on my doormat I knew I was getting a book full of passion and honesty. It is a weighty hard back,with a bold front cover which has the most appealing cover for a foodie and a photographer. The photography in this book is just want I expected it to be, so honest in it’s recordings. The style fits in with Aaron’s branding and continuity of his amazing product and company. The Photographer Wyatt McSpadden did a great job with his feel of composition and colour grading which I love beyond belief. It fits so well and I feel he captured a very forthright account of a truly honest culture and profession.
Aaron’s approach to this book is just what I expected from him. What I knew already from his on line presence, he had no secrets hidden and totally full of inspiration. He gives you a total back story of his life and his journey into barbecue. Stories which includes his love for music, ethnographic overview of design and American Texan culture. The very personal story of love and belief in his wife and also his strong drive in doing something which he believes in. It was a real great way of just saying their success didn't happen over night. They had their highs and lows and eureka moments along the way.
When it comes to the main context of the book,Aaron gives it all to you chapter by chapter. The extensive detail he goes into for instructing the reader on choosing the smoker you need, the pitfalls in buying cheap and how to modify to improve and the step by step explanation of how the smoker work, is essential for us beginners to understand. He does not stop there, his incredibly geeky and in-depth details on how wood burns and the chemistry behind it all was just awe inspiring read. In all my time researching the facts in to learning home barbecues no one yet has given the info I needed. Details from combustion, moisture rates, green and seasoned woods. Information I have searched for and people only ever hinted on the rough guidelines but not here. Page to page full of amazing info which relates to the whole process of “Slow & Low”
The facts kept on rolling through my brain and I could it put the book down. For me this was amazing because I am not a big reader. I felt like times I had my own personal scientist, butcher, chef, brewer and guide in my head. The chapter on meat and what to look for in buying quality went again beyond what I would expect from any book. I totally feel I have a better understanding of what to look for, use and expect to obtain when shopping for meat for barbecues. I haven’t even got to the cooking part yet and I am over 120 pages into the book. I believe in what Aaron was expressing in total understanding,in what goes into the prep of barbecue,and I was not even thinking hurry up and tell us how to cook it. I found every page so informative and I really think if you do buy this book read it cover to cover page to page and every foot note available,because I found no lose facts,and everything interlinks with the chemistry behind the art form of barbecue.
Aaron explains his ideas behind the different levels of rubs for different meats for different textures. The recipes in this book are not to many,but I think this adds to the overall concept that “all good things come in small packages” Simple but great thought out balances for the best eating experience you could have.
I have learnt so much from this book and information and actualities to the approach to barbecue,which I would of never even thought of in my short time of playing with fire (metaphorically speaking)
I feel I know and understand the Franklin Barbecue vibe and also understand Aaron is a true person and an incredible artisan in his field. Aaron is the type of person I could see myself having a great time with in a bar,and geeking out over the small details of whatever was in-front of us. The book has given me the drive to understand this cooking style more because it has it all in a nut shell for me. Relaxing yet hard work, rewarding but labouring,but most importantly to me,manly and arty at the same time!
I would advise if you are into cooking at all, even if you have never cooked over wood before,as us English are great at burning everything on our interpretation of a barbecue this book is worth a read. You will learn not just facts but ideas you can pass on into the kitchen and not just the smoker and grill.
This book for me will not be just a one off read but my go to book (BBQ Bible) for any problems that I will have on my barbecue learning. I hope one day to visit America and I will make sure I head to Texas to sample a life which looks so appealing to me.
I think even by then I might of made up my mind what to order if I ever get the chance to order from this true Pit Master.
If you do get the urge to buy this book you will not be disappointed!
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