There is a difference between smoking a fresh ham (or a “green ham”)- which is going to give you something more like barbecue. And smoking a cured ham – which is going to give you a more traditional Thanksgiving “Ham”. But if you want to smoke a fresh ham, I cook it just like I cook a whole shoulder. Hams are …
Seasoning a Brisket
When cooked right, brisket is probably my favorite KCBS competition meats. And this year, I’ve gotten my technique and flavors down. Landed in the top 10 pretty much every time I’ve cooked. It’s good stuff… But I had someone ask me this week how I season my brisket before putting it on the smoker. And I’m happy to share… After trimming I rinse it off …
Curing My Own Bacon
Curing and smoking a fresh side of bacon is on my to do list for the next few weeks. I like to use a maple brown sugar cure and soak the fresh pork belly for 4 days. Once it comes out of the brine it needs to to sit and air dry for 30-45 minutes. Then it’s ready for the …
Smoked Turkey Legs
I had a request for this recipe not too long ago, and since everyone’s mind is on Turkey this time of year, I thought it was a perfect time to share it. Smoked Turkey legs are quick and easy to prepare plus they’re inexpensive. You’ve probably seen them for sale at fairs, carnivals, or even sporting events because they make …
Cooking for Benefits and Fundraisers
Lately I’ve had a lot of people asking me about cooking full loads on their smokers for benefits and fundraisers. And I’m happy to help out with information here. Especially when you are raising money for someone in need or to help kids raise money. It will take a little longer to cook a full load on any cooker, …
KCBS Chicken
The 2 biggest questions about cooking KCBS Chicken 1. Does it matter if the thighs are bone-in or de-boned? I’ve done it both ways; the bone-in thighs score higher for me and I’ve always said that meat cooked on the bone just has better taste. The de-boned method produces a good looking entry, but I’m seeing a lot of judges …
Choosing and Cutting the Perfect Rib
Had a great question today about finding that perfect slab of ribs… I am having an issue when i go to cut the ribs about they are ready?Any tips on what to do? How to get enough meat on them? Do you leave meat on both sides or just one? What do you look for when you are getting ready to …
Pre-Plan For Smoking A Whole Hog…
Had a question from Jim a few days ago about the planning that goes into smoking a whole hog… and it actually is the reason I decided to do my newsletter on whole hog this week. It’s all about getting ready to serve your hog before you ever start cooking it. Just a little pre-planning goes a long way when …
Sausage and Cheese Plate… a Memphis Tradition
If you’re looking for a quick appetizer that can be prepared on a smoker or grill, then this recipe is perfect for you. The Sausage and Cheese Plate is a staple at just about every BBQ joint in Memphis; it’s one of my favorite things to order when I’m in the mood for restaurant Q; and it goes perfect with …
My BLT Burger
We’ve been getting some great tomatoes this past month from family and friends that are growing them. And homegrown tomatoes are the best tomatoes you can get. So we’ve been eating a few BLTs this month. But the other day, I wanted to try something different, so I decided to make a BLT Burger. It’s really just a grilled burger …
Rotated Hot Wings
I just can’t resist the urge to play around with my new toy for my Weber Kettle. So today I tried one of my favorite recipes…grilled hot wings using the Rib-O-Lator. I went with a whole wing, sprayed them with Canola Oil in a can and dusted with a seasoning from my wife’s Great Grandmother Maw Minnie….We call it simply… …
Easy & Fast….Grilled Boneless Pork Chops
Ever need a fast dinner? Tonight it was my turn to cook for the family, so of course I’m thinking fire up the grill. The only question was…what to cook? On the weekends I don’t mind all the prepping and long smoking hours, but through the week I just want to get in and get out. The first thing that …
Cooking a Beef Brisket – the biggest questions…
I love talking BBQ. And I’m always willing to share what I’ve learned over the years, mostly because I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for a bunch of folks helping me out and answering my questions. But in the past few weeks, I’ve gotten some really great questions on cooking brisket. You can check out my …
Cooking a Whole Hog for 4th Of July
I think more people cook whole hogs on July 4th than any other time of year. It makes sence to me, since that how I was raised… going to a hog pickin’ with family every July 4th. And I’ve gotten a couple of really great questions about the best way to cook a whole hog. So I thought I’d answer …
How to Cook Beer Bath Bratwurst on the Grill
At BBQ contests we are always cooking something… even on Friday nights. This past weekend at Variety Club, we cooked some brats in a beer bath, grilled them off to give that great color and flavor and then served them to a few quests. I even cut some onions and peppers and simmered them on the grill too… Watch the …