My Cooler Full-o-Lisai's: Part I

Often synonymous with the thought of VT are Maple Syrup, (white) Cheddar, the Green Mountains and COWS...many, many cows.
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As a child, whenever my family would drive the farm flats of the next town over during the spring, Dad would always take the opportunity to say...Smell that Westminster Perfume.
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My Aunt and Uncle also own a small farm where they raise own cows. The meat is soooo good that Hubs (whose most favorite thing of all time are burgers), was given a few pounds of their ground treasure for the holidays. Best Burgers EVER!!!

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The strangest thing about where we live in VT now, is our access to fresh meat. We've moved to the BIG (VT) City where we have ready access to just about anything you may need or want....well everything but a must shop, butcher shop!!! Hubs and I just cannot get over this fact. Where are the cooler lined hole in the walls with the fresh, local meats we so desire?!?!
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Here in the BIG (VT) City, unless you know someone or buy a cow yourself, it is very hard to get some really good fresh meat! Sure, there are the healthy/natural food stores that have a wonderful selection of "local" meats (aka from within state), all freshly vacuum packed in plastic with labels boasting organic, grass fed, hormone free, yada, crunchy hippi, yada...it's still not the same!
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When I made the Keller Meatballs, I did go to the Meat Market in the next town over (which happens to also be one of the more wealthy, overpriced towns of our area). While the meat is better than that from the grocery store, there is a very limited selection and it's still not worth the entire price.
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Could it be that I just have not looked hard enough? Have I not searched far and wide into every nook and cranny of our town? No matter the reason, I am currently living a life of butcher-less disappointment.
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The reason for this coming series of posts is a recent (and somewhat fortunate) work trip South. Since we'd be passing by my hometown, I for once had the foresight to pack a cooler and then successfully convinced my office road buddy that we needed to stop in on the way home.
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My hometown go to called Lisai's Cash Market. A local family's business, these guys do meat right! Their Rib Eyes are my most favorite item to get, so beautifully red and fatty, these steaks will not cost you a small fortune.
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In addition to picking up a couple beautiful Rib Eyes, I also purchased 3+ lbs of the (famous) house marinated steak tips, 2 pork tenderloins and breakfast sausage. Total cost for cooler Full-o-Lisai's freshness...about $40.
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These are the rib eyes :O)

With a piece of meat this good, you only need salt and pepper.
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Having been on the road, I had to rely on what my cupboards could offer for sides.

As you know, brown rice is something I am swearing by these days.

I did the usual cooking in chicken broth and then added some leftover red peppers, vidalia onion, and pepperoncinis.
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Our grilled Rib Eyes came out just perfect!

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I know everyone has their own theories on grilling, but here is what I do in a nutshell.

Preheat grill to 425+ degrees.

Plop steaks on between your hottest and coolest zones;

slightly closer to the hottest (direct heat) area.

Drop gas to low and cover.

After 4-6 minutes (depending on thickness) flip once.

Cook until done.

I gauge my doneness by look and touch,

probably no longer than 8-10 minutes for a good medium rare.

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Hubs absolutely LOVED this meal and he actually managed to eat his entire HUGE steak!

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Cooked to a great medium rare, these Rib Eyes were melt in your mouth delicious.

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The rice, other than being a little under done, was pretty tasty as well! I think the pepperoncini made an excellent accent to the otherwise boring brown rice.

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I do have to say that a nice grilled Rib Eye has got to be one of my most favorite things in the world to indulge in!

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So simple and wicked good!!!!