This vertical smoker is my newest wood-fired acquisition—and an exciting addition to my outdoor kitchen.  I didn’t grow up smoking meats, nor do I have family members who passed downtheir secrets. Still, I felt compelled to dive into the world of smoking and make it part of my cooking repertoire. A Diamond in the (Rusty) Rough […]

In 2023, I traveled to Brazil with my family. One of the memorable food highlights of our trip was enjoying an authentic Brazilian Churrasco at my aunt’s home—a feast lovingly prepared by a professional Churrasqueiro named João. My Parents with Churrasqueiro João A Hands-On Lesson with a Churrasco Master Before we even arrived, my uncle had arranged a special […]

What Exactly Is a Churrasqueira? (And Why You’ll Want One for Your Next BBQ) If you’ve ever stumbled across the word Churrasqueira and wondered what it meant, you’re not alone. At first glance, it might sound like another name for a Santa Maria or asado-style grill—but it’s something a bit different and incredibly special. A […]

When we built our oven, I knew that meals would be transformed into something special. I anticipated that I would be able to experience more authentic flavors in my Colombian and Brazilian dishes simply by adding fire. Meats, vegetables, and potatoes all took on a flavor of their own, and I became fixated on achieving […]

Cooking with Fire I am a home cook, wife, and mother, passionate about cooking over an open fire and sharing my experiences with others. When my husband and I built our wood-fired oven in 2020, (with a lot of help from my father-in-law)I knew it wouldn’t just be a “pizza oven.” It became a way […]