Ep 11. Fiery Couples

In season 9 episode 11 of Man, Fire, Food, titled "Fiery Couples," host Roger Mooking explores the world of couples who share a passion for creating spicy, flavorful dishes over an open flame. From St. Louis to Colorado, Roger meets different couples who have a unique approach to cooking with fire.

The first couple Roger meets is Melissa and David, who own a barbecue joint called Salt + Smoke in St. Louis. They specialize in "dry-rub" barbecue, which means they don't add any sauce while smoking the meat. Instead, they rub a mixture of spices onto the meat to create a flavorful crust. Roger watches as David rubs a whole hog with their signature spice blend before smoking it overnight.

The next couple Roger visits is Mark and Alison, who live in the mountains of Colorado and run a catering business called Burnt Out BBQ. They specialize in cooking with cast iron over an open flame, which allows them to sear meats and vegetables to perfection while infusing them with smoky flavor. Roger watches as they grill ribeye steaks over a bed of hot coals, then tops them with chimichurri sauce made with freshly-picked herbs from their garden.

In Austin, Texas, Roger meets Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto, who run a Japanese BBQ joint called Kemuri Tatsu-ya. They combine traditional Japanese grilling techniques with Texas-style barbecue to create unique dishes like smoked brisket ramen and jalapeno cheese hot links. Roger watches as they smoke brisket for 18 hours over post oak wood, then chop it up and serve it with white rice, pickled vegetables, and a tangy yuzukosho sauce.

Finally, Roger visits Scott and Lindsay, who run a food truck called Wanderlust Sandwich Co. in Denver, Colorado. They specialize in sandwiches made with slow-smoked meat, house-made sauces, and artisan bread. Roger watches as they smoke a huge beef short rib for 12 hours, then slices it thin and layers it onto a sandwich with pickled onion, arugula, and horseradish cream.

Throughout the episode, Roger is impressed by the passion and creativity of these fiery couples, who have found a way to combine their love of food with their love for each other. He learns new techniques for cooking with fire and discovers delicious new dishes that are sure to satisfy anyone with a taste for spice.