BBQ Tips & Recipes

BBQ TIP:  IMPROVING MEAT TASTE & TEXTURE

If you want to prepare better tasting pork and chicken, try this little tip: wash your meat with a vinegar and water mixture.  Doing so will clean the meat but also prepare it to better absorb the flavor of the rub or marinade you would like to use.

To do so: Mix 3 quarts of water with 1 cup of vinegar in one non-reactive bowl. Place some paper towels in a second bowl.  Wash the chicken or pork in the mixture, inside and out, removing any loose or dangling particles.  Place meat in bowl with paper towels.  Discard vinegar mixture and mix a second batch and repeat the washing process.  Blot dry with paper towels the chicken or pork or let it dry in a cool place.  Once the meat is dry, it is ready for your favorite marinade or rub. Cook & enjoy!

TODAY'S RECIPE:  SEAFOOD DRY CURE

This cure can be used for seafood and meat as well.  Don’t leave thin filets in the cure for too long as they will become very salty. The recipe will yield enough cure for 10 pounds of fish or meat.

Ingredients

1 cup picking salt

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4tsp pepper

1/2tsp ground all spice

1/2tsp ginger

1/2tsp crumbled bay leaves

2 garlic cloves, pressed

Preparation

Combine all of the above ingredients and rub into your fish or meat.  Store in a non metallic container overnight.  Rinse the fish or meat of any excess salt and pat dry. Let fish or meat sit for several hours until a light glaze forms.  Smoke using the techniques, temps & times you have learned from this column about and last but not least….ENJOY!