Page 35 - Akae Beka

When your life is spent touring the ol’ blues highway, it The Food
doesn’t leave much time to eat well. In fact, it can be a downright There’s a lot of hunger in a house full of musicians. None
struggle! of us had much money, but somehow, we managed without
Figuring out what and how to eat is part of a puzzle that I’ve opening too many packets of Ramen – big family meals became
slowly pieced together after nearly 15 years of hard touring. the norm. I’ve always loved entertaining, and cooking big meals
Carbs? They’re on break! Old favorite recipes? Many have for large crowds is just another form of that. It also makes eating
been reworked to fit my current lifestyle! However, here’s one more affordable.
dish that’s always been a hit, has stayed more or less true to the So, what’s on the menu? What takes us from Savannah to
original and doesn’t sacrifice any flavor for the sake of dieting. Memphis on the music and food train? What’s relatively cheap,
This recipe probably wouldn’t be considered quick, but it is can feed an army and bring together a house full of musicians
easy and can feed a big house. It does require a little cooking to the dinner table amid the loud music playing, chatter, laughter
gear, like a smoker, temperature probe, a stock pot... but nothing and normal everyday noise?
that isn’t easily obtainable or already owned by most blues fans Memphis Loud BBQ Stew
or food enthusiasts.
with Mamma’s Cornbread
A Little Background...
My current lifestyle and diet choice would be considered
In 2005, I moved to Memphis, TN. I was born and raised “low carb.” This, along with moderate exercise, has helped me
in Savannah, GA, surrounded by the roots music my father lose over 150lbs. I dabbed in the keto diet (low-carb, moderate
and grandfather taught me. They knew the struggles of being protein, high-fat) for a while as well, and although I wouldn’t
a touring musician, because they were themselves professional classify this recipe as keto, it is very carb conscious. The flavors
musicians, so my family encouraged an education. When I was here meld together the highway from Memphis to Savannah,
old enough, I went to school in Daytona Beach, FL, to attend from Beale Street to the Low Country – there’s something here for
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where I studied hard all our friends, far and wide.
to become an Air Traffic Controller and eventually earned a To start, we need a good ol’ pork butt, smoked low and slow.
bachelor’s degree in Air Traffic Management. The FAA called me You know what’s good about smoked pulled pork? Everything.
up shortly after graduating and offered to station me in Memphis. You can follow this recipe, cook the pork and stop right there.
I took the offer, of course, hopped on a train and soon after It’s damn well good enough to eat by itself. Putting some of it
arriving in Tennessee, I bought a big house on a FAA salary, in this stew, though, is going to take the whole experience over
settling in for what was going to be a wild ride! the top!
Fast forward two years later, and the draw of Air Traffic So, what do you need to smoke a pork butt? Well, you
Control was being quickly swallowed up by the allure of Beale need a smoker. It can be coal, gas or electric, it doesn’t matter
Street and amazing blues music. I was hooked, and my budding and I’m not biased to one versus the other. I’m not an expert
career as an Air Traffic Controller soon took a back seat to late at smoking meats, but I have learned plenty from living in
nights under Beale Street lights, paying dues and honing chops. Memphis, which is famous for blues and BBQ. Along with my
It wasn’t easy though! Just as my family already knew, the own trial and error, I have it fairly honed in for my personal
hardships of being a musician were real, and the new career tastes, which I think you’ll like! Now, I know some of you are
wasn’t financially comparable to working for the FAA. I had a already panicking because you don’t have a smoker. However,
big house with a big mortgage, and playing for tips on Beale most all of you know a friend that has one. Why not collaborate
Street wasn’t going to cut it. I had to think, quick... I had all these on this recipe? Just like when I’m feeding an entire house full
of musicians, this recipe is going to make a ton of food and it’s
empty bedrooms. Who needs affordable housing the most in going to be a party, so why not ask your friends to pitch in?
Memphis that I could easily get along with? Musicians! The rest Everyone involved is going to most definitely benefit! He/she
is history. helps you with the pork butt, and you make the stew... If you
I have always rented my spare rooms to musicians in
Memphis, and throughout the last 15 years, some 11 professional don’t have access to a smoker at all, or you just don’t like pork,
then you can skip ahead and make this recipe substituting the
touring musicians, many of whom you all know, have stayed in pork for additional grocery store rotisserie chicken.
my house. Together, we’ve shared some of the very best of times
and formed amazing, lifelong friendships. The Rub
With so many musicians living in the house, it was never If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my time in Memphis, it’s
quiet. It was always filled with music and it was always LOUD! that really great BBQ starts with the “rub,” the seasonings. The
That was OK though! We slept musician’s hours, worked on combinations of spices will build flavor on the outside of the meat
music and didn’t give a lot of attention to much else while helping while it cooks. You know that amazing wonderful bark that forms
each other hone our craft. We focused, had fun and enjoyed on the outside of a properly smoked pork butt or slab of ribs?
each other’s camaraderie. That comes from the rub.

Blues Festival Guide 2020 33