My Pete turned 50 a little while ago.
It’s been a very low key affair. Rather than a large party, we’ve had a fortnight of lunches and dinners with close friends. I had to smile – I organised Pete’s 21st nearly three decades ago, and several of the folks who are now celebrating his 50th with us had been there.
Last night, Kevin, Carol, Nic and PeteV came over for dinner. We’ve all been friends since uni – it’s such a joy to have so much shared history! That morning, I’d announced that I wanted to go to Petersham to buy a terracotta pig. I’d seen them on my travels with Allison, and they were just too cute for words. They’re filled with drinking alcohol, set alight and chorizo sausages are then cooked over the flames.
Pete was, of course, sceptical – “Babe, that’s $22 for the pig, and then another $30 for grappa – all to cook $2 chorizos?”
However, he indulged me and off to Petersham we traipsed. And even he had to admit that it’s hard resist a face like this one…
I believe this is a Portuguese tradition – does anyone know if they also use these in Spain and Brazil? The chorizos are partially sliced so that they fan out a little when grilled, allowing the flavour of the alcohol to infuse the meat…
Our little piggy has a very satisfyingly round belly…
That night, we filled the pig with cooking rum (Pete drew the line at buying expensive alcohol for burning), placed the sliced chorizos on top, and set it on fire. It was spectacular, but we used far too much alcohol – the flames leapt up six inches in the air and, as the pork fat dripped into the the fire, the room filled with smoke. I had extinguisher and fire blanket on hand.
I opened the door to the hallway…and immediately set off the smoke detectors. It was certainly theatrical! But it was enormous fun, and the charred chorizos were absolutely delicious…
We bought our terracotta pig at Charlie’s Deli in Petersham, but they’re also available in the Portuguese butchers on the strip. They’re probably best used outdoors (she adds, sheepishly).
It’s a long weekend here in Australia – hope you’re all enjoying it as much as we are!
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What a great way to spend a birthday and belated happy birthday to Pete. Glad to hear the house didn’t catch on fire too:)
Thanks Jody! You and me both! :)
Hi Celia, this is such a delightful post… it’s a beautiful thing that you organised Pete’s 21st and now a little get together for his 50th. Love the pig, love the theatre of it all. Methinks this little piggy is an outdoors piggy… take care and have a great long weekend.
Liz, it was hysterically funny – our friends were trying not to cough in the smoke, the exhaust was on, doors were open..and the smoke detectors were going off! Outside next time! :)
Happy birthday to you Pete! I hope you had a wonderful time with family, friends and such yummy food :)
I love your little piggy Celia, he’s so very cute- and definitely a talking point! Xox
Becca, I think you need one, he’s so adorable!
G’day and Happy Birthday Pete!!! Is priceless Celia you and pete still have your friends from decades ago too!
I LOVE your terracotta pig and will definitely be on the look out for one!
Cheers! Joanne
Thanks Jo! He really is the cutest little pig (the terracotta one, not Pete!) :D
Okay that is adorable. I’ve never seen anything like it. Happy Birthday to your handsome hub! <3 Maz
Maz, that’s impressive from a vegetarian! And thank you.. xx
Celia, how cute! First, a Happy MIlestone Birthday for Pete! Brought tears to my eyes knowing that you manage to have friends from the 21st still there for the big occasion.. so much can change in three decades!
I must say I have never seen this cute pig thing in Brazil, so it must be something that stayed in the “Mother Land”, and never quite made it to the colony ;-)
apart from pigs and chorizo and grapa – the most amazing and beautifull and wonderful thing is the love you keep going between you and Pete – that is the real magical thing… “MY Pete” says it all. Yes, he is yours, and you are his. Perfect.
Thank you darling! I didn’t even realise I’d written “My Pete” until you mentioned it! :)
Love this, I have never seen these alcohol pigs before, sounds like fun! x
Jane, they’re so cute, but definitely an outdoor pig! :)
What a delightful way to turn ordinary chorizos into an event! I have never heard of this method nor seen such a delightful little cooking utensil. It’s wonderful to have friends that have known us throughout the many decades of our lives. We had dinner Friday night with two couples we’ve known for more than 40 years. I’ve known the two women since we were in second grade…almost 50 years. :-) It sounds like Pete had a very special birthday! Wonderful!
Wow! 50 year friends are a life achievement indeed! Congratulations!
Love love it. Happy Birthday to Pete.
Thanks Madge! xx
I have long regretted having never bought tabletop terracotta chorizo grills when I was in Portugal. Everywhere we ate, the chorizo was served this way. Good to know they are now available here. Who needs birthday candles when you have a flamin’ pig. Happy birthday Pete!
Sandra, you’ll need to take a trip to Sydney to Petersham – although I’m pretty sure you’d find one in Melbourne! :)
This sounds like loads of fun! Birthday blessings for Pete xox
Thanks Tandy! He’s the most wonderful man, and he really did have a lovely time!
What a great night that sounds like and an interesting way to cook chorizos! thanks for sharing!
Liz, it was all a bit insane, but huge fun! :)
Happy birthday to Pete. I love that pig
Thanks Deb! Hope all is well, sorry I haven’t popped in for a week or so – I’ve been a bit under the weather..
That half century is certainly worth marking, no matter how you do it. And I think flaming snags is as good a way as any!
Pig on fire! They were absolutely delicious too! :)
Happy Birthday Pete!! And what a hilariously fun way to celebrate. I wouldn’t have been able to resist either :)
Thanks darling! Road trip to Petersham next! :)
Well nobody will forget the pig and the smoke alarms in a hurry. Happy 50th Pete, you child.
Hahaha…I’ll let him know you said that, he’s feeling like an old man at the moment! :)
what silly sausages :) happy 50th pete..xx
Silly, but DELICIOUS, sausages! :) Thanks Jane.. x
Your post title certainly grabs the attention! I’ve never heard of this cooking method – it looks rather dangerous for indoor cooking, but probably works well outdoors.
Happy birthday, Pete!
Thanks Suelle, best done with fire extinguisher and safety blanket on hand! :D
Celia, this post is hilarious! How funny…and a birthday your husband is not likely to forget. Love the idea behind the pig though, and I LOVE chorizo’s! Happy Bday to Pete!!! xx
Thanks Kylie, it really was just too funny! I’m trying to figure out how we can do it again, without smoking us out. I think it really will have to be outside! :)
Awww…that’s sweet! The idea of the “pig on fire” is amazing. I bet it won Star of the Night on Pete’s birthday, stealing the stardom :). Happy birthday to the husband and great job to the wife!
Julie
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Julie, you’re always so kind, thank you! :)
Happy belated birthday! What a fun way to celebrate. That pig looks great and what could go wrong with alcohol and chorizo?!
Hahaha…that’s so true! Add some cheese, and you’ve got the perfect combo!
Happy belated birthday to Pete and I love the pig, very cute and what fun! How wonderful that you have those friends, very special indeed.
Thanks Stefanie! We’re very blessed to have such close friends. PS. I got a text from Moya yesterday, she had a gorgeous baby girl a month ago! :)
Oh that’s lovely news :) I’m very happy for them thanks for letting me know x
Most welcome! She sent me a lovely photo of her two girls – both looking incredibly well and happy! :)
They do use these in Spain Celia although I have never seen any myself. My brother-in-law & his girlfriend were just on holiday in Nerja, Andalusia. They were cooking/eating on these in their facebook photos. Their pigs looked just like yours. Maybe its a new thing??
I think that’s right – I read somewhere that it’s a newish trend in Spain, but it’s been around in Portugal forever.. :)
Happy birthday Pete, another one into the 50 club :) I spent the weekend raking an acre of oak leaves from our elderly neighbours front yard. Her house was the original Auld Kirch Church manse from 150 years ago and has an amazing view of the Tamar River so when I got too tired to rake, I could always stand and look at the view. I certainly know I am 50 today! Love that image of the pig on fire and that choritzo being char grilled. I hope Pete survives his fortnight of gustatory delights. Sounds like he is at least being moderate on the cooking alcohol ;)
Ooh Fran, take it easy! :) And yes, Pete drew the line at buying a bottle of Grappa just to set it on fire! :)
I think a bottle of Grappa would certainly have set PETE on fire if he had decided to drink it ;)
This looks like great fun!
Siobhan, it was a hoot! :)
Happy birthday to Pete! What a way to celebrate!
Thanks Jo! It really was so much fun!
Happy Birthday to your Pete! I also organised my husband’s 21st birthday party because his parents were OS (they went for 10 years when he was 18!) I’ve never seen or heard of these pigs but like you say, what a fun evening with smoke detectors going off and leaping flames. I would have been in hysterics xx
Charlie, thank you! Oh you’d have laughed – we all did! :)
What a story! As soon as I saw the first picture of the pig I thought ‘That would be a cute way to serve chorizo’, never knowing that’s exactly what it’s for. I suspect you didn’t actually use too much alcohol. The dripping pork fat and smoke are no doubt part of the effect so yes, outside next time. Great gift idea too.
See Fi, we did a test burn before dinner, and thought, “oh look, doesn’t that flame burn nice and cleanly” without realising that, of course, we’d be dripping fat into it from the sausages! It was definitely a facepalm moment! :D
Belated greetings!
Oops – I hit “send” too soon :( Never seen these in Spain but I love the idea!
Thanks Chica! I think they’re a new trend in Spain – maybe you’ll see one soon! :)
Happy belated birthday to you Pete! :) What a fun kitchen pork gadget! I am sure that it works fine & roasting chorizos is such a treat!
Sophie, thank you! It was really so much fun, and so cute that I can’t bring myself to put him away, so he’s still sitting on my kitchen bench!
He is wacthing you! 😀
Love that pig! Happy Birthday Pete!
Thanks Cuz! Lots of love to you all!
It sounds like a pig on fire made for a memorable 50th celebration. A belated happy birthday to Pete.
Karen, it was hilariously good fun! Thank you!
You used too much alcohol Celia? Surely not.
Sounds like fun.
Honestly Anne, I do wonder what you think of me sometimes.. :D
What a great story…one that certainly has a little drama :) Happy birthday to your Pete!
Thanks Laila! I’m just grateful nothing else caught fire! :)
These pigs are used in Spain as well. My Portuguese friend, who does not speak a lot of English told me that her daughter made one in Primary school in Portugual. I think she was saying that most children in Portugal do and they also make the lovely little wine jugs. I doubt the politically correct police would allow it in schools here.
Madge, remember when we were younger and our clay projects at school were often an ashtray? Those days are gone too.. :)
Now that’s an unforgettable evening, from the flaming chorizo setting off alarms.. to the conversation between friends of a lifetime! You’ve surely lived your lives with the right priorities so far.. loved ones, friends and food! Cheers to the next 50!!
Barb, we’re seriously blessed to have such fabulous family and friends! :)
yup, pretty hard to resist that cute piggy face! Happy 50th to your Pete, here’s to the next 50 ;)
Thanks Lisa! Another 50 would be nice! :)
Another awesome inspiration! Might have to try this too.
Maree, hope you find one! :)
This little piggy cried “we, we, we wants one”! What fun – a celebratory conflagration. It must have caused much laughter Celia. Was the chorizo a cooked one? Happy birthday to Pete and how lovely to celebrate it with such long standing friends,
Jan, yes, the chorizo was a presmoked/cooked one, so we really just had to make sure it was hot through before serving, which the pig really was perfect for! And thank you! :)
God that’s hilarious. Not sure I’ll try that one, But thanks for sharing!
I’m glad it was hilarious and not disastrous! :D
oh that is so funny and what a cute pig!
Thanks Sherry! He really has the cutest little face, but when he’s on fire, he can look a bit devilish! :)
that is adorable! and what great entertainment to sit around the piggy fire and watch your chorizo cook. I’ve never seen one before…thanks Celia!
Bernie, it’s the maddest thing! I’d looked in the window of the deli several times and seen it, but it wasn’t until I got chatting with the owner that I knew what it was for. Pig on fire! :)
It’s the best kind! ;)
I added one of these pigs to my [lengthy] virtual wish-list a while ago and suggested to the G.O. a visit ‘one weekend’ to Petersham, as I assumed it the likeliest place I would find one. And, a good excuse to stop and have lunch. Looks like fun, and yummy :)
ED, the butchers sell them in Petersham as well, but the cutest ones are definitely at Charlie’s Deli! :)
That’s it. I want one. Strangely enough, can’t buy this in Dubai!
You can’t buy a specialised pork sausage burner in Dubai? Funny that.. :)