Saving grace.

My wife has become increasingly critical of any smoked food and I mean any. She claims she just does not care for it anymore, and only can tolerate it if it only has a very light smoke to it. She also has always been a wuss when it comes to any heat or even seasoning for that matter, even pepper is too much for her and it drives me up a wall. I really do try to cook so she can enjoy it but she has become even more critical with each passing day, and less tolerant. I am getting very discouraged and miss not being able to experiment when I see all these great looking, and sounding recipes posted here, but know they would never fly in my house.

Having said all that, I was beginning to question my abilities as a cook, until yesterday. I had smoked some meat for the first time in weeks, mostly stick to grilling of late. My Son and 4 year old grandson now living with me gave me several complements on the last batch of smoked meat which consisted of, country style ribs, sirloin tip roast and a leftover ham destine for a pot of beans. I finally got around to fixing the ham and beans yesterday and my Son just could not get over them, he also said his son would not eat them, but turns out he had thirds with coleslaw and corn bread. My wife on the other hand ask if I had smoked the meat, which I said yes and she complained, why do I have to smoke so much, it has several weeks since I have smoked anything. The sirloin tip roast that I smoked got raves from my daughter, she even tried to sneak the leftovers out of the house.

Anyway I do not know what to do, I just can not stand to eat nothing but bland food for the rest of my life, but I still want her to enjoy her food. I don't want to fire up a smoker just to cook something for myself and then fix her something different. I am confident my cooking abilities are on track just having a hard time dealing with this situation, if it were one of my kids complaining, I would just hand them a coupon to Arby's, and bid them farewell. Anyone else in this boat? Rant over.
Dave

tish said:

Yep. My Harvard won't eat beef or pork at all, never mind smoked. So we eat tons of fowl, seafood, and veggies here. If I fire up the smoker, I'll make him a chicken, and then whatever I want for myself. I tailor the seasonings on the chicken to his taste. He likes things hot and spicy. Me, not so much. If he didn't care for the smoke, I'd use just a little, and then finish it in the oven. I try to fill the Keg up, and vacu-suck anything I can't eat right away. Meals are cooked and ready for the next week, and he can take from them whatever he wants. No reason why anyone should have to let this stop them from smoking. :wink:

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I have to laugh, because I have a daughter that won't touch pork or fish of any kind, but one time I fixed two butts and a brisket, which she proceeded to almost single handedly devoured one of the 5 lb butts before knowing that it was not the brisket.:becky:
Dave

deguerre said:

My wife's a member here and has her own cooker, so I don't have that problem, but I feel for ya.

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You and her are a couple lucky folks.:clap2:
Dave

Wampus said:

What about toning down on the smoke?
If you just cooked over charcoal, would she entertain that?
Is it JUST the smoke flavor that she doesn't like?


You could just start using charcoal and/or foiling/covering food to just be able to play with your "outdoor oven". You could still have some stuff in the smoke for you, but wrap up whatever she's gong to eat.


Just a thought.

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She loves everything off the gasser or even charcoal but not smoked.
Dave

Carbon said:

I always cook a separate portion for my wife and others with similar taste, even if it means using a separate cooker.

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I have a vertical Bandera that I need to press into service just for that reason, I can smoke on it and grill.
Dave

pal251 said:

How many people do you cook for at once?

My wife doesn't like some smoked food and when I cook its for her, me and my in laws. Everyone likes the food most of the time but sometime she doesnt and if she does not like it she doesn't it and will make herself something to eat.

Could you wrap some of it aluminum foil or use a different kind of wood?

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Mostly just the two of us but now it is 4. I have stopped using as much if any hickory lately and switched to plain oak, I know it is still strong but I don't use as much of that either. I have toned down my seasoning a lot and I can handle that but I do like my smoked meats.
Dave

deguerre said:

Have you tried using alder wood?

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No, but have use all the normal suspects besides hickory, with about the same results from her, even tried only using lump with no other woods.
Dave

jestridge said:

Sometime medication will change a person taste especially spicy foods.

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Yes and I haven't had any in a long time, darn the luck.:tsk: I do know what you mean though, she and I both take blood pressure and cholesterol meds, but I take a lot more than her, and don't think its a problem.
Dave

John Bowen said:

I see the problem coming at my house. Although we love to BBQ the main participants are my daughters and myself – my wife just goes with the flow. My oldest daughter’s boyfriend is excited about BBQ as well. However as my youngest is just a few years away from leaving us with an empty nest I can’t help but see it coming. My wife rarely eats red meat anymore and she has never been a fan of bold flavors and heavy pork.

See what happens when you marry a skinny woman.

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Skinny is not, and never has been a problem for either of us.:-o
Dave