Piedmont Barbecue Sauce
Piedmont barbecue sauce is served at the table with smoked pulled pork and shredded chicken.
Tomato-Jalapeno Barbecue Sauce
An easy homemade tomato and jalapeno BBQ sauce that works well on all types of grilled and smoked meats.
Chili-Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
Homemade Tex-Mex chili-brown sugar BBQ sauce is great on beef, chicken, pork, and some meat substitutes.
All Purpose Poultry Rub
This all-purpose poultry rub has all the goodness of a basic chicken rub, with a bit of chili powder for earthiness and a splash of paprika for color. Simple, unique, and delicious. You have the option of using this mixture as a dry rub, a wet rub, or adding this poultry seasoning mixture to sauces […]
Santa Maria Barbecue
In the mid-19th century, ranchers throughout the Santa Maria Valley gathered together to help each other brand their calves. The host of this event would put together a Spanish-style feast. This meal typically included grilled beef roasts, beans, bread, salsa, and salads. Over time, this tradition has evolved. Even though Sunset magazine declared this dinner […]
Barbecue and Politics
Barbecue is coined a truly unique American culinary tradition. It is said that barbecue is to food what Jazz is to music, an American creation. While I don’t intend to debate this here, there is one thing about barbecue that is irrefutable, its connection to politics. Older than the Republic itself, barbecue has been an […]
Seeking a Definition of Barbecue
As barbecue continues to evolve from a rural southern cooking tradition into a global cuisine, more attention has and needs to be paid to its origin and definition. Purists seeking authenticity find themselves hampered by a confused and often false history of the development of barbecue linking its roots to the early colonial Americas. As […]
In Defense of Lighter Fluid
Charcoal lighter fluid is the big no-no of barbecue. It offers convenience and a bad aftertaste, and yet remains the most popular way to start your cookouts. The people at Kingsford Charcoal tell you not to use it and then sell it by the tanker full. It has warning labels that talk of birth defects, […]
Judging the Jack
When I tell people that I am going to be judging a barbecue competition, I always get that smile and a wink. Few casual observers of the strange world of competition barbecue think that judging is difficult or merits serious consideration. Try explaining that to the competitors, particularly those who make a living on the […]
Packet Grilling
So, tonight’s menu calls for grilled fish with summer squash and asparagus. Now, you could cook those items separately on a grill, but why not streamline the process by cooking them in a packet? This process is much easier than you’d think, and the best part is that you cook these meals using your grill […]
