3 Last-Minute Recipes to Try During the Holidays
As we start moving into the last weeks of the year and into the holidays, friends and families will be gathering more frequently. With these gatherings comes an opportunity to cook for your loved (and liked) ones because there are traditions you want to keep and you don’t normally have the time to show off your skills.
The holidays are also a great time to try out some new recipes on the grill or smoker. Here are three fun last-minute recipes to test out this Christmas or while you are off work.
This Festive French Toast Bake from Steph Foster of Foster Feasts is the perfect dish for Christmas morning. (Photo by Steph Foster)
Festive French Toast Bake — Foster Feasts
This Festive French Toast Bake recipe from Steph Foster of Foster Feasts is the make ahead dish that is perfect for Christmas morning. You can go all fancy with French breads or keep it basic with half a loaf of white bread. Either way, here's an easy recipe for you to save. Warning: the crunchy topping is the best part. SEE THE RECIPE HERE.
Try this creamy Lobster Prosecco Mac and Cheese recipe from Nikki Stover at Beach Girl Grills. (Photo by Nikki Stover)
Lobster Prosecco Mac and Cheese — Beach Girl Grills
Mac and cheese is a popular side dish often found at the table during the holidays. But how can you shake up the traditional mac and cheese recipe? What better way to celebrate the holidays than with an inventive new spin — Lobster Prosecco Mac and Cheese. This recipe from Nikki Stover of Beach Girl Grills is a decadent treat but is really taken to the next level with the addition of lobster claw and knuckle meat. Add in some Prosecco and you have a truly special holiday dish that will surprise your guests. For a different flavor and texture, add Toasted Herb Panko and enjoy. SEE THE RECIPE HERE.
This recipe for Thai Brussel Sprouts with Garlic from Doug Scheiding of Rogue Cookers adds the perfect amount of sweet and spicy flavors. (Photo by Doug Scheiding)
Thai Brussel Sprouts with Garlic — Rogue Cookers
If you are wanting to add more green veggies into your diet beyond usual fare like bacon-wrapped asparagus, try this recipe for Thai Brussel Sprouts with Garlic from Doug Scheiding of Rogue Cookers. These are soft on the inside with a crunch on the outer leaves. Serve with the sweet and spicy Thai sauce to take this dish over the top. SEE THE RECIPE HERE.
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist) & Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
Thanks to our sponsor DennyMike's! Use the code BBQTOURIST10 to save 10% off your order on these great seasonings. Learn more about DennyMike's here.
—John Mueller, a legend in the Texas BBQ world, passed away last week. (Photo by Daniel Vaughn / Twitter)—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
John Mueller, the “dark prince” of Texas BBQ, passed away at the age of 52 last week after battling a long illness. Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn wrote about Mueller’s life, his relationship with his famous barbecue family, and the great restaurants he opened (and closed) throughout his life. The article also includes some funny stories about Mueller including the time he demanded a customer take off a Franklin Barbecue shirt before he would serve him food. “Many barbecue cooks in Austin owe their existence to what Mueller started,” Vaughn writes. “He changed the game, and will forever leave his imprint on Texas barbecue.” READ HERE.
In a lighter story this week, two barbecue fans in Memphis were upset to hear that a BBQ world record was owned by an Italian cook team, so they decided to bring the record back to the States. The new Guinness World Record for “longest barbecue marathon (team)” was set by Rob Stukenborg and Addison Forsdick this past weekend. The team made it to 42 hours of consecutive smoking and grilling, beating the record by two hours. They made an estimated 200 pounds of food during their marathon. READ HERE.
One of the most unique barbecue combos we’ve ever heard of – Texas and Ethiopian barbecue – is now a thing in Texas. Daniel Vaughn reports in Texas Monthly that Smoke’N Ash BBQ in Arlington “pays homage to its dual traditions while wholly, joyfully embracing something new.” For, example the restaurant serves up items like “Tex-Ethiopian smoked spareribs, tender smoked St. Louis–cut ribs coated in a deep red sauce called awaze.” READ HERE.
Kevin Kelly of Kevin’s BBQ Joints asked a number of pitmasters, writers, and other members of the barbecue community, “When did you realize barbecue was so special?” The collection of anecdotes includes answers from The Smoke Sheet’s Ryan Cooper, KC BBQ legend Ardie Davis, Erin and Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ, and many more. “The food is the jumping-off point, but really it’s the people, the atmosphere, the stories, the shared experiences, the everything,” Kelly writes. “Sometimes though you have to be inside the world to completely understand.” READ HERE.
ADDITIONAL READS
The Raleigh, NC barbecue boom was slowed down by the pandemic, but the News Observer expects it to heat back up in 2022 with more joints.
J.C. Reid of the Houston Chronicle reports that Reveille Barbecue Co. in Magnolia has reinvented itself with its new brick-and-mortar location that opened in November.
Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Ricewood gets praise from MLive for offering good, simple barbecue and Asian-style side dishes.
Phoenix-based Trapp Haus BBQ and owner/pitmaster Phil the Grill will soon be offering a mentorship program for would-be food truck owners.
The Austin Chronicle has collected the best “outside-the-box barbecue (and barbecue-adjacent) dishes in Austin we ate this year," including BBQ tacos and banana pudding.
Here’s how James Beard Award winner Rodney Scott makes BBQ turkey for the holidays.
Pitmaster Malcom Reed thinks “old-school” business The Butcher Shoppe in Pensacola is the best in the country.
—YouTuber Mark Weins goes on a tri-tip BBQ tour along the California coast with some of his friends.—
WATCH
King of Tri-Tip Steak and Unique California BBQ — Mark Weins
In this video, YouTuber Mark Weins is out along the beautiful California coast north of Los Angeles on a tri-tip steak tour. He visits legendary hidden gem Cold Spring Tavern, a stop in the Santa Barbara foothills that is famous for serving grilled tri-tip sandwiches. Then he heads to Jocko’s Steak House in Nipomo for the double-cut XXL Spencer steak grilled over red oak. The final stop is Da Hickory House BBQ in Oxnard, where they serve a massive BBQ tri-tip sandwich. WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
Kelly Wertz of 4 Legs Up BBQ talks KCBS National Steak Championships — The Pitmaster’s Podcast
In this episode of The Pitmaster’s Podcast, hosts Rusty and Anthony chat with the legend Kelly Wertz of 4 Legs Up BBQ about the new KCBS National Steak Championships, sausage, and how to be a better competitor. If you have been interested in knowing more about the new KCBS Steak competitions, this episode goes straight to the source to get a detailed breakdown. LISTEN HERE.
READ
EGGin': David Rose Cooks on the Big Green Egg — David Rose
Chef David Rose applies his signature cooking style to grilling, smoking, roasting, and baking on the Big Green Egg. From apps, to veggies, entrees, sweet treats, and even smoked cocktails; the entire meal will be prepared on the EGG. Renowned Chef and TV personality David Rose uses his cooking expertise to elevate meals made with the EGG as never seen before. Enjoy delicious recipes that reflect David's Jamaican heritage and classic French culinary training, as well as his Southern inspiration in dishes such as Chili Grilled Lamb Chops with Mango Chutney, Afro-Asian Oxtails, Smoked Chicken Chili with Bacon Cheddar Cornbread, Bourbon-Ginger Pecan Pie and many more. ORDER HERE.
—These Pesto and Sundried Tomato Steak Rolls are versatile and easy to make for the holidays. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)—
Pesto and Sundried Tomato Steak Rolls
By Raikes Beef Co.
If you are still looking for a versatile holiday recipe to make on the grill, look no further. This recipe for Pesto and Sundried Tomato Steak Rolls was shared from our friends at Raikes Beef Co. in Ashland, Nebraska. Thin skirt steak is combined with pesto and sundried tomatoes to create roll ups. These steak rolls are easy to make and only take a few minutes to grill. Serve as a main entrée over pasta with a rustic tomato sauce or as an appetizer sliced on skewers.
—A lot of big barbecue events are being planned for 2022. Stay tuned!—
January 22, 2022: The Shed Double Steak Cookoff — Ocean Springs, Mississippi
The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint, a popular BBQ destination, is again hosting a huge Steak Cookoff Association competition in late January with a total prize purse of $16,500. The event feature competitions for steak, ribs, turkey, and bloody marys. There will also be a Kids-focused Pork Chop competition to keep the younger ones busy. MORE INFO HERE.
February 7-8, 2022: OnCue Business of Barbecue Seminar — Murphysboro, Illinois
OnCue Consulting, from Amy Mills and the 17th Street Barbecue team, hosts these popular classes each year. Register early to experience ribs, pork, brisket, and chicken demos with an emphasis on restaurant production and holding. Discuss branding, marketing, PR, vending, restaurant financials, resources, and suppliers. Tour behind-the-scenes of our restaurants and catering facility. Novices and veterans alike will leave with concrete ideas that will impact their bottom line. MORE INFO HERE.
March 12, 2022: Tex Mex BBQ Festival — San Antonio, Texas
This fun event, masterminded by Miguel Vidal of Valentina’s Tex-Mex in Austin, will be full of food, education, and entertainment. The food will be executed by some of the most talented pitmasters, chefs, and cooks coming in from all over the nation, including Panther City BBQ, 2M Smokehouse, Burnt Bean BBQ, and Sugarfire Smokehouse. Mark your calendar for an amazing experience. MORE INFO HERE.
March 18-21, 2022: AmazingRibs.com Meat-Up in Memphis — Memphis, Tennessee
Join Meathead Goldwyn and the AmazingRibs.com crew at the Meat-Up in Memphis. There you can hang out and toss a few back with experts. The Meat-Up will be based in the famous historic grand Peabody Hotel. Things will kick off with a whole hog cooking demonstration Friday afternoon followed by a welcome dinner Friday evening at the famous Rendezvous. Saturday be will be a day of pork-centric seminars in the hotel, with special porky meals because Memphis is most famous for pork. The hotel's kitchen is highly regarded and we have ordered their best meal packages. Sunday, attendees will board buses and visit four BBQ joints for a deep dive into the historic tastes of Memphis barbecue before concluding the weekend with a bash on Beale Street! MORE INFO HERE.
March 25-26, 2022: American Royal World Series of Barbecue Steak Cook-Off — Kansas City, Missouri
The relatively new National Steak Championships from KCBS will have one of its biggest events thus far with the American Royal Steak Cook-Off in late March. More information will be coming shortly on this event but mark your calendars. MORE INFO HERE.
March 26-27, 2022: Meatstock Music and Barbecue Festival (Melbourne edition) — Melbourne, Australia
Meatstock will feature a stacked line-up of barbecue enthusiasts and bands. The two-day event brings American pitmasters Down Under; sees BBQ teams go head-to-head over the coals to be crowned the city’s best barbequers; and features live music, food trucks, and pop-up bars. Additionally, American BBQ joints such as Louie Muller BBQ and Blue Oak BBQ are scheduled to be there as well. MORE INFO HERE.
April 20, 2022: Brisket King NYC — Brooklyn, New York
If you love brisket (and if you're reading this you probably do), you won’t want to miss Brisket King NYC 2021 in Brooklyn. The event will be held at the huge outdoor space at Pig Beach NYC in Brooklyn. More than 15 chefs and pitmasters will be there serving up their takes on brisket and pastrami. MORE INFO HERE.
May 11-14, 2022: Memphis in May — Memphis, Tennessee
The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is a four-day competition held in Memphis, TN. Teams representing the best of barbecue that have been honing their craft for years compete for the title of World Champion and a share of the more than $140,000 in prize money. The Contest features championship pork categories of Ribs, Shoulder, and Whole Hog, as well as the ancillary competitions of Hot Wings, Sauce, and “Anything But Pork.” The 2022 competition will be held in the Memphis Fairgrounds due to construction at its normal home at Tom Lee Park. MORE INFO HERE.
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