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ABTs for my co-workers...an attempt to lighten the office mood


 

Sheila Cochran

TVWBB Fan
I am one of the few very fortunate government employees *still* working during the current government shutdown. Management tells us our budget will be depleted around the middle of next week, at which time we'll join hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters who are already furloughed (sent home without pay). Everyone on my team is stressed, depressed, angry, deflated ...you name it. But enough of the drama, on with the goodness !!

Being an emotional eater myself, I decided to make up a batch of ABTs to take into the guys and gals in the office tomorrow, I'm hoping to elevate the mood just a little. I just sampled these (ok, I sampled 4 times), couldn't stop myself... and have to say the home-cured bacon makes these the best I think I've ever done. The smoky bacon really sets these off!

The jalapeno's were some of the largest and freshest I've seen in quite a while. I stuffed em with 2 packages of cream cheese mixed with about 2 TBS of Texas BBQ Rub (original), then topped with some of the home cured bacon - which I lightly dusted with some of the rub. The brown sugar in the rub really enhanced the bacon.. and here's how they looked out of the oven:

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Man, I gotta tell y'all ... you HAVE to do the bacon... seriously. I'm really blown away at how good this stuff is. Forgive me for baking these instead of using the Performer...I was in a hurry to get these done!

Thanks for looking, OH, and tomorrow I'm wearing this T-shirt to work since it's Casual Friday:


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Sheila,

It takes a good hearted woman to think of her co-workers during such difficult times. The t-shirt along with the wonderful ABTs are sure to lessen the stress. Maybe the idea will catch on and others can think of things to brighten each day.

BTW, what do you think of the Texas BBQ Rub? Sweet? Hot? Savory? Their site seems a bit sensationalized (3:00 am infomercial) with no stated ingredients, so I haven't tried it yet.

http://texasbbqrub.com/

Thinking of the thousands of government workers without a paycheck.
 
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Those look delicious Sheila! Your fortunate coworkers will really enjoy them. Can you
send some my way since I am not one of the fortunate ones (I am on furlough) who is getting quite
bored/angry waiting for something to happen in Congress? ;)
 
Great ABT(s). ...and great attitude.

Unfortunately, like Mike, I am one of the ones who is sitting at home due to ...well, Chris asked us not to get political so I refrain... At any rate it's kinda uncool to be called "nonessential" after spending 30 yrs of your life in service to the country (Military + Civil).

So, I am getting some stuff done around the house. Also getting a chance to cook quite a bit: Weds was Ribs, Thurs was Jerky, today is Pulled Pork and I am brewing my Brown Ale.

Hopefully, by the time the Ale is ready to drink, I'll be sittin at work wishin I had one cause all the catch up work I have stacked up.
 
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Sheila; beautiful looking ABT's! Your bacon looks great and I'm definitely going to try that soon. I'm hoping like everyone else we fix this soon. Lots of my friends here and everywhere are suffering as a result of the shutdown.
 
Man I never thought of all the people truly affected by the shutdown. Dwain and Sheila I hope the moron's in Washington get their act together soon. But in the meantime keep on cooking delicious food like those abt's to pass the time. Well done Sheila.
 
Those look fantastic Sheila I can taste them from here, I hope everything settles soon for you and Dwain and everyone else who is stuck now. Nice thing you are doing for your comrades.
 
ABTs look great, Sheila! Was this the bacon you posted about a couple weeks ago - that you weren't too keen on? The mess in DC will be cleaned up soon (hopefully) and you, Mike and Dwain and all the others can get back to work.
 
Sheila,

It takes a good hearted woman to think of her co-workers during such difficult times. The t-shirt along with the wonderful ABTs are sure to lessen the stress. Maybe the idea will catch on and others can think of things to brighten each day.

BTW, what do you think of the Texas BBQ Rub? Sweet? Hot? Savory? Their site seems a bit sensationalized (3:00 am infomercial) with no stated ingredients, so I haven't tried it yet.

http://texasbbqrub.com/

Thinking of the thousands of government workers without a paycheck.

Elaine, I love Texas BBQ Rub, order from them quite frequently. I find the original version to be my favorite - a nice balance of sweet and subtle kick of heat. I do order a couple packages at a time to compensate for the S&H (around $10 if I remember that right).

Its made when you order it, extremely fresh, vacuum sealed. Arrives VERY quickly, too! I recommend them highly!

Everyone, thanks for your comments, thoughts, and well-wishes! They are very much appreciated!!!!

Oh, and by the way ... there are ALOT of smiles in the office this morning ! Epic Success !!!! :o
 
ABTs look great, Sheila! Was this the bacon you posted about a couple weeks ago - that you weren't too keen on? The mess in DC will be cleaned up soon (hopefully) and you, Mike and Dwain and all the others can get back to work.

:) Yes it is the same bacon you remember me posting about Brian!!

I took the advise offered by many here to let the bacon mellow in the freezer for a week. And after that rest, it is fabulous, a perfect amount of smoke! I am SO doing the bacon again. Much better than store-bought. Seems that I use it a bit faster than store-bought too. Thats the only down side! HA

Ok, gotta get off here - break is over.. :rolleyes: See you all later tonight!
 
Those are some fine looking ABTs, they are even better with a little smoke added, but I understand the situation. I hope that this mess with the government get's turned around quickly, best wishes to all impacted by this.
 
Great idea Shelia!! ABT's look awesome and you are a great co-worker!! My wife is one of one of the unfortunate ones like Dwaine and Mike stated above?!!!! She is starting to get real tired of the whole thing!!

Take care!
 

 

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