Chef's Notes Plus

4th of July Side Dishes to Steal the Show

Either you’re the person who waits all year for a grilled hot dog or burger, or you’re the person testing the limits of those paper plates with a scoop of every side dish, because nothing beats a good potato salad. Of course, no food decision is a bad decision, so […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

A Sweet Goodbye to Summer Pie Season

As the summer days pass (faster than they have any right to!), there is only one way to slow down and celebrate the last, waning days of the season: bake a pie. We’re sharing some of our best summer pie and tart recipes, celebrating the best sun-kissed fruits like berries, […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Barbecue Buzzwords

If you’re curious about barbecue, you’re likely to hear certain terms over and over. Here’s our guide to basic barbecue buzz words that will help you on your barbecue journey. The Smoke Ring One quality indicator in barbecue is the “smoke ring.” This is a pink or red ring around […]

Main Dishes

Barbecued Pulled Pork Pizza

Makes two 12-inch pizzas Leftover pulled pork can be used to make a very tasty and unique pizza. A little pork (about 1 1/2 cups) is enough for 4 to 5 portions. Using a charcoal grill will give your pizza a wood-fired flavor and character. To use this method, ignite […]

Free Recipes, Soups and Stews

BBQ Hominy Stew

Makes 8 Servings Ingredients 8 oz poblano peppers 1 medium onion, minced 6 tablespoons vegetable oil 8 oz Spanish chorizo, cut into small dice 2 red bell peppers, cut into small dice 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 lb canned hominy, drained 1 1/2 cups half-and-half 1 cup barbecue sauce Salt, […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Big Game-Day Foodie Face-Off

You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy The Big Game, especially when there’s a great spread. Chips and dip, fried foods, and pigs in a blanket are all favorites, but we love the tradition of serving regional foods from the competing teams. This year, we’re looking to (in […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Blood Orange Margarita

If you’re looking for drama, blood orange juice is reliable for lending a burst of color and a pop of flavor to any party. Adjust the sweetness to your preferences with simple syrup, and blend the mixture with ice if you like your margarita frozen. Luckily, there’s no wrong way.

Side Dishes

Boston Baked Beans

Makes 8 servings Chef’s Note: Cook these beans, uncovered, in a smoker to give them a slightly smoky flavor. You can also place the beans under ribs or a pork butt during smoking to allow the beans to gain some barbecue flavor from the drippings.

Salads

Brussels Sprout Slaw

Makes 6 servings This slaw is simple to assemble, but big on flavor. The richness of the mayo and acidity from the juice helps to balance the strong, salty flavors of the fish sauce for a dish that perfectly complements grilled meat, fish, and veggies. Ingredients 2 lb Brussels sprouts […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Choosing Wood for your Grill or Smoker

Smoke is a key component that contributes to the flavor and texture of barbecued meat. Smoke comes from burning wood, either by placing it directly on the coals of a charcoal grill, or in a separate box or chamber in a gas grill or smoker. There is a learning curve […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Drink of the Summer: Frozen Aperol Spritz

If you watch the morning cable news shows, you have probably heard about ten million conversations surrounding The Song of the Summer. Inevitably, there are many songs of the summer, and while the concept is flawed, we like the sentiment. Because ultimately, if we’re talking about the song of the […]

Chef's Blog

Elevate Your BBQ with Homemade Condiments

Ready for summer?  It’s time to get grilling! While hamburgers, hot dogs and other BBQ favorites tend to get the glory, they’re made even better by their flavor-enhancing counterpart: condiments. DIYing your condiments at home couldn’t be easier. We’ve got some simple, make at home condiment recipes for you to try.  Uplevel Your BBQ, Reduce Your […]