Season is Over, Time to Experiment...

Well, now that the BBQ competition season is over for 2012, it is time to make some things in the smoker that have been neglected during the summer:

• Cold smoked bacon for the coming year
• Steelhead and salmon
• Nuts (my new favorite)
• Cold smoked cheese
• A jerky fix for the holiday

I also use this time to experiment with "Outside the Box" recipes.  Some things I am going to try are:

• Curried Smoked Beef
• Chicken Tikka Masala
• Duck and/or goose
• Cured Dried Beef a'la BBQ Guam
• Cured and smoked fresh ham
• Smoked Pork Chops

If there is anything you would like to add to the list, feel free to drop a line to add a suggestion to my R&D efforts...

Thanks for stopping by...

Bill

Operation BBQ Relief. Have you Donated?

If you look over to the right on this blog, we have proudly added a link to Operation BBQ Relief.  Operation BBQ Relief is a charity created to help victims of disaster in a time of need.  Their website says it best:

"Operation BBQ Relief is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation founded in May, 2011 in response to a need for relief efforts in tornado-stricken Joplin, Missouri. On Sunday evening, May 22, a massive multi-vortex EF5 tornado plowed through the southwest Missouri community of about 50,000 residents, killing over 140 people and injuring more than 1,000. It left a path of almost total destruction six miles long and over a half mile wide. It is now classified as the second deadliest tornado in U.S. history.

In the wake of this nearly unprecedented destruction, competition barbecue teams from eight states answered the call to help feed displaced families and police, fire, National Guard and emergency personnel. The group, headed by Stan Hays (County Line Smokers), Jeff Stith (Big Creek BBQ) and Will Cleaver (Sticks N Chicks BBQ), was able to serve over 120,000 barbecue meals in less than two weeks during the operation in Joplin. Food was served from our location in the community and delivered to shelters, hospitals, senior living communities and the Humane Society. Volunteers also loaded food into vehicles and delivered directly to families in the impacted areas within the tornado’s footprint. The operation was made possible by many businesses who contributed food and supplies and people from across the country who donated cash.

As a result of efforts in Joplin, Operation BBQ Relief was born. The Joplin operation will be used as a model for future disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods and other tornados. We are a not-for-profit corporation registered in all fifty states and ready to respond to natural disaster emergencies across the United States."

Operation BBQ Relief is currently serving those in need of help due to Hurricane Sandy and need your help.

Three Dogs BBQ just joined Operation BBQ Relief this past weekend in order to help those who need it most in the future.  If you are a BBQ team or are looking for a good charity to consider donating to, please consider clicking on the icon to the right and either joining if you are a team or donating if you can afford to do so.

Thanks for stopping by...

Bill

The Best Turkey I Have Ever Made, Period!

A friend of mine said, try pecan on your turkey.  You will never try any other wood for smoking a bird again.  So, why not...

First, I made a batch of Poultry Brine and let old Tom Turkey go swimming for two days.  Then, I pulled the turkey out of the pool and let sit in the sink, "head" down, until all of the brine in the cavity had completely drained.  Then, into the cavity, I stuffed:

2 stalks of Celery, cut in thirds

1 Sweet Onion, skin removed, cut in quarters

4 medium Carrots, cut in thirds

1 Apple, quartered, skin on

After stuffing, I coated the skin with olive oil and seasoned with sea salt and pepper.

Ready for the smoker:

I lit the smoker and brought to 350 F and placed pecan in the ash pan.  The bird went on the 2nd rack down...

After one hour, I added more pecan to the ash pan and checked on the bird...

After two and a half hours, the bird was done.  165 internal.  It was a 13 lb bird...

Brought Tommy inside and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing...

The sliced product...

The skin was nice and crispy, the meat was juicy and tender.  The pecan and the apples mingled perfectly.  Outstanding all the way around.  The apples in the body cavity even tasted great.  I will be doing this again for sure.  

Thanks for stopping by...

Bill

Happy Thanksgiving! An Idea for your Bird

This is a repost from last March.  I thought it would be helpful for those looking to smoke a turkey for tomorrow.  Some suggestions in addition to the following post:

If using a whole bird, I would stuff the body cavity with onion, celery, and carrot.  It adds a nice flavor to the end product.

Alternatively, you can just smoke your bird as you would bake it in the oven:

Rub with olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Collect your dripping and make a really great smoky gravy.

DO NOT stuff your bird with a bread stuffing.  Bread stuffing will soak up too much smoke.  If you want stuffing, make it separately in the oven.

That is it.  I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Thanks for stopping by...

Bill

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