Five Tasty New Cookbooks to Expand Your BBQ Horizons
Grilling season is here and it’s time to get ready to make some delicious food at gatherings with family and friends. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut making the same old recipes, so we thought we would share some new and upcoming cookbook titles that will help inspire you to branch out and expand your barbecue horizons.
Here are five new BBQ and grilling cookbooks you need to have on your bookshelf this season that feature inventive recipes and cooking methods.
The Best Grilling Cookbook Ever Written By Two Idiots by Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey
In The Best Grilling Cookbook Ever Written By Two Idiots, Mark Anderson and Ryan Fey (better known as The Grill Dads) show you how to make juicy, well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked dishes on your backyard grill or smoker. Their cleverly-named recipes include Little Red Bavette with Real Herby Chimichurri, Not Your Grandma’s Dry Turkey and Stuffing, Pinkies Up Smashburger, and Whip It Good Smoked Feta Dip. This title will be released on June 7, 2022. PRE-ORDER HERE.
Big Green Egg Basics from a Master Barbecuer by Ray Sheehan
After winning countless awards for his sauces, rubs, and his 2020 cookbook Award-Winning BBQ Sauces and How to Use Them, Ray Sheehan has turned his attention to focus on backyard cooking on kamado-style cookers. We recently interviewed Sheehan about his latest book Big Green Egg Basics from a Master Barbecuer, which was released in March. This book focuses on demystifying the Big Green Egg smoker and is full of creative recipes, including Coffee-Rubbed New York Strip Steaks with Chimichurri, Oklahoma Onion Burgers, Honey Sriracha Glazed Chicken Thighs, New Orleans–Style Barbecue Shrimp, and more. ORDER HERE.
Hot and Fast BBQ on Your Traeger Grill: A Pitmaster’s Secrets on Doubling the Flavor in Half the Time by Ed and Noelle Randolph
Handsome Devil BBQ in Newburgh, New York has established itself as one of the premier barbecue destinations just north of New York City. At the restaurant, co-owners Ed and Noelle Randolph make their delicious barbecue staples “low and slow,” striving for perfection. But in their new book, Hot and Fast BBQ on Your Traeger Grill: A Pitmaster’s Secrets on Doubling the Flavor in Half the Time, Ed and Noelle teach barbecue lovers how to cook using “hot and fast” methods. Sean interviewed Ed and Noelle for NYC BBQ Weekly about the book, which emphasizes grilling and smoking techniques that shorten cook times while also still retaining great flavors. Recipes in the book include Competition-Style St. Louis Ribs, Smoked Chicken Thighs with Alabama White Sauce, Chili-Coffee Rubbed Tomahawk Steak, Scorpion Stuffed Shrimp, and Pineapple Upside Cake. ORDER HERE.
Live Fire Cooking: Open Flame Techniques and Recipes to Transform Your Meals by Craig Tabor
Master the art of handling open flames with BBQ maestro Craig Tabor. Cooking by fire offers unparalleled flavors and textures, plus a tremendous sense of accomplishment that you won’t find with gas or electricity. Use an offset smoker to keep your meat juicy, use an open-pit grill to enrich the flavors of your dinners, or use a wood-fired oven to bake your favorite pizzas and desserts to perfection. Thanks to Craig’s step-by-step guides on setup and equipment, along with 60 recipes, you’ll learn to cook just about anything using fire. Recipes include Spicy Korean Beef, Veal Chops with Lemon Chive Compound Butter, Cowboy Tri-Tip with Chimichurri, Filet Mignon with Blue Cheese Butter, Garlicky Leg of Lamb, and Fire-Roasted Cedar Planked Salmon with Herbs. This title will be released on June 7, 2022. PRE-ORDER HERE.
Wing Crush: 100 Epic Recipes for Your Grill or Smoker by Paula Stachyra
Paula Stachyra – better known as Queen of the Grill, has the perfect book for fans of chicken wings who are looking to expand their repertoire beyond the usual suspects. In Wing Crush: 100 Epic Recipes for Your Grill or Smoker, Stachyra shares unique and delicious wing recipes that can be made on any grill or even in the oven. Her recipes include classic Buffalo and Cajun flavors; some boozy options like Bloody Mary and Tequila Sunrise; and even some truly surprising recipes for the adventurous wing lover including Peanut Butter and Jelly, Big-Mac Style Stuffed, and Cheez-It Crusted. Check out this week’s Recipe of the Week below for a special recipe from the book. ORDER HERE.
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We hope you check these cookbooks out and draw inspiration from these amazing authors' unique and flavorful recipes. Be on the lookout for more recipes from these publications in future issues of The Smoke Sheet!
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist) and Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
GrillGrates work on any grill and make every grill better! Visit our Shop By Brand page and find the perfect set today. CLICK TO ORDER HERE
—Chef Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ is becoming as well-known for his Armenian coffee as he is for his barbecue. (Photo by Wai Chan)—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn recently wrote about the resurgence of coffee in Texas barbecue, noting that many joints are incorporating coffee flavors into their sauces and rubs and serving strong brews alongside their smoked meats. Chef Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ said, “At the barbecue events, I do end up spending more time making coffee than smoking meat.” (During our visit earlier this year, we had the chance to sample Chef Ara’s coffee and can see why). Other establishments that take their coffee very seriously include Zavala’s Barbecue in Arlington, where husband and wife team Joe and Christian Zavala also operate Mas Coffee; Wright On Taco & BBQ, which features espresso-topped ice cream; and Miller’s Smokehouse in Belton, which roasts its own beans under the Muscovy Coffee Roasters label. READ MORE
This weekend, the 2022 Memphis in May World Championship Cooking Contest will kick off with about 215 teams chasing glory. These teams will battle it out for the coveted title of Grand Champion, including Myron Mixon of Jack’s Old South, Melissa Cookston of Yazoo’s Delta Q, Brad Orrison of The Shed BBQ, Leslie Roark Scott of Ubons BBQ of Yazoo, Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porkers, Amy Mills of Apple City BBQ/17th Street BBQ, and more. The Commercial Appeal wrote about these competitors and more. READ MORE.
In some sad news, the celebrated San Antonio barbecue joint Bandit BBQ closed this past weekend. The restaurant was initially planning to be open each weekend until June, but it quickly decided that last weekend would be the Lone Star restaurant's last in operation. Social media posts sharing the news say "things have changed quickly," causing the closing date to be moved up. "We love all of you and thank you for all the support over the last two years," the owners wrote on social media. READ MORE.
Our friend Monk from the Barbecue Bros. finally had a chance to visit Skylight Inn in Ayden, NC, to try the whole hog. “Truth be told, despite my excitement over finally trying B’s the main event of the weekend was finally making it to Skylight Inn,” Monk writes. “This Jones family restaurant has been open since 1947 and is truly one of the cathedrals of NC barbecue, regardless of style. … Was Skylight Inn everything I expected coming in? The answer is a resounding yes. Would I go back again? Again, a resounding yes.” READ MORE.
ADDITIONAL READS
Pitmaster Rodney Scott shared four tips for ordering at a barbecue restaurant if you want the best meal.
Spectrum News profiled Lexington Barbecue in Lexington, NC, which has been around since 1967.
Hurtado Barbecue is bringing its brisket birria tacos and more to the Little Elm neighborhood in Dallas, eying an opening in late May.
Former HoneyFire BBQ pitmaster Shane Nasby is planning a new burger joint in Nashville.
J.C. Reid of the Houston Chronicle wrote about Texas and Louisiana barbecue joints that are worth a summer road trip.
Former Owlbear cooks will open their own barbecue restaurant called Pit Fiend in the former home of Owlbear in Denver later this month.
The popular Bar-B-Q Block Party will return to the streets of downtown Owensboro, Kentucky, this weekend.
Thrillist has shared easy ways to incorporate peaches into your summer BBQ.
H-E-B’s massive new store in New Braunfels features a two-story True Texas BBQ restaurant.
—The third season of the Food Network’s hit show BBQ Brawl debuted this week, featuring talented pitmasters from across the country.—
WATCH
‘Cue the Introductions — BBQ Brawl
In the first episode of Season 3 of the Food Network’s BBQ Brawl, nine barbecue masters introduce themselves and display their unique cooking styles. This season, Bobby Flay faces off against a new pair of rival team captains in chefs Anne Burrell and Jet Tila. Season 2 judges Rodney Scott, Brooke Williamson, and Carson Kressley return to the show to offer their opinions on dishes prepared by each competitor. After the captains make their selections the teams battle it out in their first brawl…but not without one final twist to shake things up. WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
Robert Moss Interview — Tales from the Pits
During their recent trip to South Carolina for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, Tales from the Pits hosts Andrew and Bryan had the chance to sit down with barbecue author and historian Robert Moss. Moss was born and raised in South Carolina and is the author of Barbecue: The History of an American Institution and is the Contributing Barbecue Editor for Southern Living. In this episode, he discusses topics ranging from modern barbecue, historical barbecue, and the daunting task of composing Southern Living's 50 Best Barbecue Places in the South list. LISTEN HERE.
READ
Fire + Wine: 75 Smoke-Infused Recipes from the Grill with Perfect Wine Pairings — Mary Cressler and Sean Martin
Ready to up your grilling game? This cookbook by a pitmaster and a sommelier will turn your backyard barbecue into the tastiest place to be--with recipes that celebrate smoked and grilled food (and the wines that pair best with them). Every region has its barbecue, grill, and smoking food traditions. Now the Pacific Northwest can claim its place at the table with these recipes developed by sommelier Mary Cressler and pitmaster Sean Martin from Portland, Oregon. Fire + Wine highlights the ingredients and flavors of the Pacific Northwest to create a fresh, often lighter take on smoking and grilling. They put their spin on the classics as well—brisket, ribs, steaks, pulled pork—and offer up wine pairings to complete your meal. PRE-ORDER HERE.
—This sticky, sweet, and spicy recipe for Spicy Chili Garlic Wings takes the flavor to the next level. (Photo by Paula Stachyra)—
Spicy Chili Garlic Wings
By Paula Stachyra
These sticky, sweet, and spicy wings are your latest drool-worthy obsession, guaranteed. You will be asking yourself: where have these been all my life? The combination of garlic, sticky honey, soy, and ginger takes these wings to another level. This sauce is so incredible that you will want to double it. Or heck, just eat it with a spoon after you’re done making the wings!
Reprinted with permission from Wing Crush by Paula Stachyra. Page Street Publishing Co. 2022.
Learn more about Southside Market Barbeque.
—A lot of big barbecue events are planned for 2022. Let's go!—
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.
May 21, 2022: The NYC Texas Chili Cook-Off — Brooklyn, New York
The NYC Texas Chili Cook-Off will return to New York City, bigger, louder, and tastier than ever on May 21 at Industry City in Brooklyn. The event takes place between 1 and 6 p.m. and is hosted by the Texas Exes New York Chapter. There will be all-you-can-drink Texas beverages, all-you-can-eat chili and queso (or until it runs out), and more. Sean Ludwig from The Smoke Sheet and NYC BBQ will be one of the judges at the event, so be sure to say hello. You can also use the code TEXSCHOOL to get 10% off. MORE INFO HERE.
May 22, 2022: Carolina BBQ Festival — Charlotte, North Carolina
The first-ever Carolina BBQ Festival will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, with some of the biggest names in Carolina barbecue. The event is the creation of Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ in Charlotte and will celebrate three regional styles of Carolina barbecue. The one-day event will include legendary barbecue from Bryan Furman, Buxton Hall’s Elliott Moss, Jon G’s Garren Kirkman, Lexington Barbecue’s Nathan Monk, Southern Smoke BBQ’s Matthew Register, Tay Nelson of Bobby’s Barbecue, and more. MORE INFO HERE.
May 28, 2022: Rib King NYC — Staten Island, New York
Food Karma Projects – the producers of Pig Island NYC and Brisket King NYC – are bringing you the ultimate memorial day barbecue and picnic with Rib King NYC. Join in the fun on Saturday, May 28th. The event will feature amazing ribs from joints all over the NYC metro area, a Sauce King NYC showcase, Hard Cider Alley, pickles, grilled goodies including vegetables from the Snug Harbor Heritage Farm plus many other food products, spirits, and drinks. It’s all happening at the historical Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden in Staten Island. Ride the NYC ferry to flavor and kick off summer at this all-inclusive Memorial Day weekend festival. BUY TICKETS HERE.
June 4, 2022: Troubadour Festival (Georgetown edition) — Georgetown, Texas
After a huge inaugural event in Celina, Texas in 2021, the Troubadour Festival will be expanding to three different event locations this year. The first of these will be in Georgetown, not too far from Austin. Music headliners include The Panhandlers and William Clark Green, and pitmasters will be there from 2M Smokehouse, Blood Bros. BBQ, Interstellar BBQ, J-Bar-M BBQ, Leroy and Lewis, and more. MORE INFO HERE.
June 10-11, 2022: Made for KC BBQ Championship — Kansas City, Missouri
Pitmasters in the Kansas City area are invited to compete in the first annual “Made for KC BBQ Championship,” with a chance to win a combined prize purse totaling $46,000. The Grand Champion will be showcased in a competition BBQ-themed restaurant in the new terminal at the Kansas City International Airport. The Outstanding Hospitality Management Group is partnering with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) and Old World Spices & Seasonings to hold the event on June 10-11, 2022 at Worth Harley-Davidson. MORE INFO HERE.
June 17-19, 2022: Denver BBQ Festival — Denver, Colorado
The 4th annual Denver BBQ Festival will return this June at Empower Field at Mile High. Don’t miss this chance to grab an ice-cold brew and sample pure smoked bliss from award-winning pitmasters from across the country. The final day of the event coincides with Father’s Day, which makes a ticket a potentially amazing gift for BBQ-loving Dads. MORE INFO HERE.
September 2-4, 2022: Pinehurst Barbecue Festival — Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina
The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival, presented by Pinehurst Resort, US Foods and The Pilot, is a “Celebration of Taste and Tradition” featuring award-winning pitmasters from across North Carolina in one of the most picturesque settings in the entire state. The three-day event, staged in and around the historic Village of Pinehurst, offers a unique culinary sampling experience of various barbecue meats and traditional sides. MORE INFO HERE.
September 10, 2022: Pig Island NYC — Staten Island, New York
Pig Island NYC will celebrate its 13th year on September 10, 2022, at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. Join in for all-inclusive food and drink, from all-star pitmasters and chefs who will be serving up delicious porky goodness, as well as local breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Top chefs will compete for the best dishes and event-goers reap the benefits. Expect a ton of amazing eats and a great place to picnic with friends and family for the day. BUY TICKETS HERE.
Sept 28 - Oct 2, 2022: American Royal World Series of Barbecue — Kansas City, Kansas
The American Royal World Series of barbecue is the largest BBQ competition in the country. On top of a massive KCBS competition with roughly 500 teams from around the country, this signature Kansas City event includes public-facing activities, including live music, delicious BBQ and local food, a full lineup of kids activities, and a vendor fair authentic to Kansas City and BBQ enthusiasts. Read our 2021 recap of the event to learn more about the experience. MORE INFO HERE.
Sept 30 - Oct 2, 2022: Q in the Lou — St. Louis, Missouri
The annual Q in the Lou is happening again this fall! Don’t miss this chance to grab an ice-cold brew and sample pure smoked bliss from award-winning pitmasters from across the country. The event is held nearby the St. Louis Arch and held the final weekend of regular season play for the St. Louis Cardinals. MORE INFO HERE.
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