Monday, November 20, 2017

Tips for Barbecuing Great Pork Ribs


Cody Gotchall studies at Linn-Benton Community College, which is located in Albany, Oregon. One of Cody Gotchall’s favorite foods is barbecued pork ribs.

When grilling barbecued pork ribs, the first step is to select a high-quality cut of meat. Experts recommend spare ribs or baby back ribs, preferably of a heritage breed. These tend to be juicy and flavorful, unlike supermarket specimens bred for leanness.

Some choose to remove the membrane that grows on the ribs, but keeping it on will help the cut to stay moist. Applying a yellow mustard rub and leaving it to sit in the refrigerator for one to 24 hours helps tenderize the meat and retain the flavor of the dry rub mixture. 

You can buy a pre-made dry rub, though many people prefer to make their own because you can choose the spices that you want to taste. Many find that paprika adds not only color, but flavor, and sugar creates a caramelization that enhances the final effect.

The cooking should take place over low heat. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes before the ribs are ready, you should add any sauce. Adding sauce too early can cause ribs to blacken and prevent full cooking of the ribs.

Ribs are done when their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Some cooks, however, prefer to follow visual cues, such as the meat pulling away from the bone by no more than an inch or the bending of the slab when you lift it with a pair of tongs.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Blood Processing and Testing at the Red Cross


Cody Gotchall graduated from Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis, Oregon, as a member of the National Honor Society. Involved with his community, Cody Gotchall has donated blood to the American Red Cross since 2012.

The American Red Cross accepts blood donations from generous volunteers for the benefit of patients who need blood and blood products. After the blood is collected, the Red Cross sends it for processing and testing. First, the blood is labeled and scanned into a computer database, then it is spun through a centrifuge to separate it into the transfusable components of plasma, red cells, and platelets. Both the red cells and the platelets are leuko-reduced.

Simultaneously, the blood is tested at one of the three Red Cross National Testing Laboratories to determine the blood type and the presence of any infectious diseases, while single donor platelets undergo testing for bacteria. If any of the test results are positive, the blood is disposed of, and the donor notified. This information is kept confidential unless the law specifies disclosure for public safety reasons.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

What is Cribbage?


A student at Linn-Benton Community College, Cody Gotchall stays active in his leisure time through volunteer work and a variety of interests and hobbies. As someone with an interest in mathematics and pattern recognition, Cody Gotchall enjoys cribbage, a British card game with a storied history, still enjoyed around the world by those of all ages.

Invented by British soldier and poet Sir John Suckling, cribbage came about in the 17th century and arrived in America with English settlers. Popular in the New England colonies, it requires only two players and was often enjoyed by fishermen to pass the time. The game remained popular for hundreds of years and was even played often by those in the Navy during the second World War.

At its heart, cribbage is all about math. A player collects points by combining cards together and seeking out beneficial combinations. It involves strategy, as one must decide whether to score points or stop his or her opponent from scoring. A game is quick, with experienced players finishing in less than 15 minutes, even though the rules and etiquette are quite complex.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Benedict Cumberbatch Joins Cast of Gypsy Boy


A member of the National Honor Society while attending Crescent Valley High School, Cody Gotchall is now taking business and database courses at Linn-Benton Community College. When he isn't studying, Cody Gotchall enjoys watching his favorite TV shows and films. He counts Benedict Cumberbatch as his favorite actor.

A 41-year-old English actor, Cumberbatch has recently starred in films such as The Imitation Game and Doctor Strange. According to his IMDB page, he has numerous projects in the works to be completed within the next few years, one of which is Gypsy Boy, a feature film slated to be released in the summer of 2018. 

Based on the best-selling memoir of the same title, Gypsy Boy details the life of British activist and writer Mikey Walsh, who grew up in a Romany Gypsy family but found himself at odds with the culture as well as his father's expectations. The film adaptation of the memoir will be directed by Morgan Matthews and produced by Kevin Loader and Dee Koppang O'Leary. Cumberbatch has signed on to play Mikey’s father, Frank Walsh, who is torn between his love for his son and the traditions of his culture.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Three Tips for Barbecuing Pork Ribs


An alumnus of Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis, Oregon, Cody Gotchall now studies at Linn-Benton Community College. School aside, Cody Gotchall says barbecued pork ribs are his favorite food.

Sure, you might love eating ribs, but learning how to barbecue them yourself ensures you can enjoy this tasty treat whenever you want. These three tips will help you barbecue your best rack of ribs yet.

1. Remove the membrane. The underside of your slab of ribs is coated in a membrane of silver-colored skin. Removing this membrane before cooking will not only improve the flavor of your ribs, but it will also make the meat tenderer.

2. Use a dry rub. During the cooking process, your dry rub will mix with the burning fat of your rib meat to form a tasty crust that provides both flavor and a satisfying crunch. While it is okay to use sugar in your dry rub, avoid using too much. Sugar burns quickly, and using too much will leave you with a charred and bitter outer layer.

3. Pre-cooking your ribs. Pre-cook your ribs to make the meat tenderer. Simply put them in a pot of boiling water with a bit of apple cider vinegar. Once the meat starts to get tender, carefully remove the ribs and prepare them for grilling.