a competitive BBQ cook's food curiosity
Indulge your taste buds with this savory and aromatic Miso Sesame Pork Shoulder with a hint of smoke. A dish that beautifully marries the rich umami of miso with the nutty warmth of sesame. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends, …
Pork shoulder has this cooking option to transform into a magnificent morsel, into Pork Burnt Ends or call them Pork Bites, that will sweetly melt in your mouth. When you cook a pork shoulder as Pork Burnt Ends instead of pulled pork, you save cooking …
Do your pork chops curl up during cooking? Pork Tip: Cut 2-3 relief slits on the outside of your pork chop to enable the pork chop to lay flat during and after cooking Want to keep your pork chops juicy? Pork Tip: Grill your pork …
When I walked past the deep hue of a bone-in pork rib roast at Sunterra Markets the other day, my mind was distracted by flavor combinations during the rest of my coffee. All I could think about how delicious and juicy this pork cut could …
Smoked Sour Cherry Cake with Sweet Vanilla Glaze and Sour Cherry Coulis
I am so fortunate to enjoy sliced pork belly often in my life. Asians love pork belly and it’s the perfect addition to a bowl of fried rice, a bowl of ramen, or the most dangerous, but most enjoyable, just a snack!! Sliced pork belly …
This recipe outlines a basic Smoked Pork Tenderloin sliced thin as an open faced sandwich, which I personally love. Alternatively, you can serve the pork tenderloin in thick slices with mashed potatoes and veg, or in a 4-6 oz piece, more similar to a steak. …
The beauty of grilled pork jowl ramen is that its quick, its comfort food and its perfect for cold days. Never heard of pork or hog jowls? You’re in for a treat! This unusual cut is from the pork cheek. This meat is heavily marbled …
Who’s craving pork chops for a weeknight dinner? Pork Rib Chops cook up juicy when grilled at lower temperatures, but rest assured, this is still a quick cook!
Be not afraid of game meat like pheasant breast! Extra flavor and extra liquid is key to grilled Teriyaki Pheasant Tacos!
The last time the McDonalds McRib sandwich was sold in Canada was in 2013. So, the only way to enjoy a McRib – Double Smoked Boneless Rib Sandwich at the SmellaQue house is to make it from scratch. There’s no $5.89 burger available around the …
When looking for an affordable dinner option, pork loins can be overlooked. At the Calgary Co-op grocery store, for regular price, I found a 2.1lb / 0.984kg Center Cut Pork Loin for $19.61 CAD. There were leftovers after feeding our family of 4 once this …
Most often we think of steak as associated with a steakhouse – Béarnaise sauce, mushrooms, asparagus spears and double stuffed potatoes. But, when one wants to enjoy a steak at home, it can be much simpler and also much more affordable. One of my favorite …
Barbecue in all its styles and flavors is a treat; including using lip smacking everyday barbecue rub and sauce by Kosmo’s Q to enjoy the authentic flavors of Char Siu BBQ Pork. Its amazing that an all- American barbecue base can be tweaked to showcase …
Herbs like ginger, cilantro and mint make a beautiful medley when paired with smoked chicken in this Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Salad. Smoked chicken has its own aroma and flavor profile that is best elevated with fresh flavors. When its barbecue season, I’m fortunate to enjoy …
This week’s Supper Challenge is “poppy.” While I love lemon poppy seed loaf, the cooler weather and autumn season brings about pheasant if you know a few hunters. Cooking a savory dish with poppy seeds called for the color and flavors of cranberry, so Poppy …
The delicate balance between sweet and savory is achieved in a simple surprising vegetable dish, Miso Chocolate Cauliflower. This dish is unexpected. However, the addition of the separate ingredients works. The savory aspect of white miso is mellowed by creamy chocolate. The sweetness of chocolate …
What if the squishy yet meaty texture of Acorn squash is paired with a light, fluffy, toasted cornbread and rounded out as a dish? Ideal for brunch or light lunch, it’s a surprising delightful and composed dish. This recipe also works great with leftover cornbread. …
Harvest Grains and Grill Bowl, a guilt free and surprisingly satisfying meal. I typically don’t order vegetarian bowls at a restaurant, add in the extra challenge to cook grains into a tasty dish? I’m in. The secret to delectable, is to ensure all aspects are …
Beet Tartare, not Beef Tartare. While I haven’t turned into a vegetarian, we could all use more vegetables in our diet. This is a fun way to enjoy some – on a salad, as toast or as a spread. It has the visual appeal of …
Korean Barbecue stands out because of simple flavors that pairs well with interesting cuts of meat; Pork Jowl Lettuce Wraps are no exception. Jowl is the face meat, along the jawline and chin. While pork cheeks are also part of the face, this smaller cut …
Squid is deceivingly easy to grill and for a simple flavor twist, Korean Grilled Squid Rings hit the spot. Starting the grill with aromatics – onion and scallions will perfume the air to get your mouth watering. The sweet caramelization of the onions balances the …
One of my biggest pet peeves (in my quiet voice) is dry meat. Given the opportunity for a delicious, juicy meal, I find it difficult to enjoy when the meat is chewy, grainy and just dry. Some cuts like pork loin or chicken breast are …
I enjoy adding my own twist on classic flavors; an hour later, we devoured grilled lamb chops with garlic mustard cream. There is something magical about grilled meat and a cream sauce, especially when its nicely balanced. The cream needed a zing, an “ah ha” …
Cows don’t have hands, let alone fingers, so what is Smoked Beef Finger Meat? These big gnarly 1 inch strips of meat look like fingers off your local friendly giant. But thankfully, this cut is just the rib meat on your local cow. More specifically, …
Ooey gooey cheese stuffed meatballs is pretty much a non-discussion item for dinner. When I bought a 5lb package of lean ground beef from Costco for this week’s Supper Challenge “bite size” theme, I didn’t expect to prep the whole package. Nor did I expect …
Avocado Toast was all the rage for a while; so that got me thinking, what about a Grilled Mushroom Pesto Toast? A hint of smoke, an herb garlic spread and flavor all the way! With this week’s Supper Challenge listed as “pesto,” pasta was not …
I’ve got a hankering for the sweet crunch of Coconut Shrimp, the question is, can it be made at home? Of course! I live in the Prairies, so seafood is far distance away. The easiest and most economic way to access seafood is frozen. But …
The special aspect of BBQ, is that it is enjoyed in every country, with different ingredients and different flavor profiles. BBQ is a universal food experience. Grilled meats are not isolated to North America, Asia loves it too! It was so much fun to consider …
Ready to cook? Follow this link to a recipe for quick BBQ Baby Back Ribs.
This style of BBQ Baby Back Ribs will be quick; cooking at higher temperatures will shorten the cooking time. BBQing at higher temperatures is also known as hot and fast. Of course, if you want to cook ribs at a lower temperature, you will also have …
Pork Ribs are my go-to for BBQ when people are coming over for a backyard event, but before cooking, you need to know how to find them and what makes them different. Pork ribs come with their own handle, are individually portioned and everyone loves …
Smoked Rack of Lamb is amazing. Its flavorful, its delicious and you can find it local in Canada! Ontario and Alberta are two of the largest producing lamb provinces in Canada, where >800K sheep grow domestically. I like buying local knowing that I’m supporting one …
Jalapeno Popper with brisket, also known as Texas Twinkies are oh, so good! An ultra flavorful fusion filled bun seemed like a great excuse to cook something new with leftover brisket and enjoy the spicy cheese goodness of a jalapeno popper. An Asian steamed bao …
So pleased to collaborate with Rob Reinhardt, another Canadian BBQ champion and friend, on smoking Tri-Tip two ways! In this video, I cook Tri Tip, also known as Santa Maria steak to medium rare and Rob cooks it like a brisket. Both are delicious options. …
An introduction to brisket – where the brisket comes from, what does it look like, should brisket be cooked fat side up or fat side down? Brisket can be a daunting meet to cook. Whether its BBQ’d, smoked, oven roasted or braised, brisket can be …
Super enjoyed myself, @jsmella_smellaque, as a guest on @prairebbq Instagram LIVE event. I smoked tri-tip steak and Rob cooked a tri-tip like a brisket. What fun! Tri-tip is incredibly versatile, affordable and so delicious. <Yes, our family devoured the steak once the recording was done!> …
You pull steaks out of the fridge for dinner, company is on the way, you reach into the cabinet and oops! Are you out of spice rub? This is a quick all purpose rub that is versatile and can be used on anything – duck, …
Carrot cake is a classic dessert that always comes with cream cheese icing, but what if it was warm served with a pineapple sauce? I’ve been playing with classic flavors for carrot cake to include pineapple and honey mustard. Its slightly unconventional, but its also …
Pineapple Chicken Thighs make a quick and easy weeknight grilled meal. Needless to say, the chicken is full of flavor and the sweet is a hit with the kids. Found some chicken thighs when “deep freezer diving” for Supper Challenge and wanted to enjoy it …
Tailgating, finger foods, game eats and camping food cheers for Bacon Wrapped Mozza Dill Pickles! Yummy! Superbowl weekend screams “Big Game” eats as the theme for SupperChallenge!
So you bought a brisket and now, let’s smoke/ BBQ/ cook this brisket! If you’re trembling with excitement, then you are ready!. We all feel that buzzy, lightheaded feeling knowing an excellent meal is coming soon! For more information on the two muscles that make …
There is nothing better than grilled, plump, juicy shrimp complemented by Cuban mojo (pronounced “mo-ho”) on a hot summer night. It would be even better if such a meal could be enjoyed on the humid island overlooking a white sandy beach. Citrus, garlic and herbs …
When my neighbor generously shared the finds of his hunting trip, I was ecstatic. Pheasant? Cleaned and prepped pheasant breasts? YES, I WOULD LOVE SOME <in my most polite and rational voice>. The real question was – how was I going to cook it. BBQ …
Save yourself some $$ and enjoy Oyster Rockefeller at home in a casserole form with a touch of smoke. When you can get double or even triple the value in oysters, this is a great deal. Even better, oysters pairs with smoke beautifully, so this …
Grilled octopus is a challenge and fascination for me. I’ve had memorable eating experiences when its tender and delicious, and I’ve suffered through chewy challenges as well. Like all cooking adventures, the goal is to ensure this delicacy is cooked well! Octopus and particularly the …
A new flavor on some old favorites, a barbeque peanut sauce can do the trick. Great for salad rolls, salads, noodles or seasoning for a stir fry, this tangy and nutty combination is a crowd pleaser. For more savory flavor, add more soy sauce, for …
With Asian rice noodles and succulent barbecue pulled pork, I think this dish qualifies as BBQ Asian fusion – like me! Ha! Sometimes barbecue should be enjoyed in a different format, so when there are pulled pork leftovers, this is my go-to. Blues Hog Original …
One of the goals I had when building my DIY Tin Can Smoker, was to cook a whole animal. For directions to build your own DIY Tin Can Smoker, click here. In a 6 diameter tin can, the choices are pretty limited. Where lump charcoal …
When a friend’s Facebook memory showed his home made smoker, I was obsessed and wanted to have my own fun. Thanks JLH! After a bit of planning, I now have my own DIY Tin Can Smoker and manufactured for less than $5! Objectives and considerations: …
In South American, European and Asian cultures, beef tongue is a delicacy. Its flavorful and very tender. The “trick” is not to think of it as tongue. Its simply beef! If there is a restaurant with beef tongue on the menu, I’ll be ordering. …
As this week’s supper challenge theme of “Halloween,” this is both a trick and a treat. Taco de Lengua is a beef tongue taco and smoking the beef tongue for extra flavor is worth it. Don’t worry, these tacos are not as scary as you …
Here it is, instructions to spatchcock with pictures below! I’m not sure I’ll ever get over this fowl word <haha, get it? Fowl for poultry, not a foul word!> I know you want to spatchcock, so you can brag to your buddies. Check out the …
No, its not a foul word, its a fowl word! Spatchcock means to remove the spine or backbone of poultry, flatten the poultry so it is ready for grilling. So, a fancy word for a butterflied chicken, duck, goose, turkey, cornish hen. So, why “spatchcock?” …
I realized today how inspired, motivated and proud to have rubbed shoulders with amazing women in BBQ! They have fired up my inspiration and I’m in complete awe of these strong, vibrant and gifted ladies! I am ever so thankful to have come across them! …
I live in the frigid great white north, in Canada. Confession: I’m a total wimp when it comes to being outside and “enjoying” it. Yep, the quotation marks around “enjoy” is what I am expected to say, but that doesn’t mean I do. BUT! I …
I’ve got a new squeeze! Blues Hog sauces is in a new squeezable format taking blondies to a whole new level – Blues Hog Smokey Mountain Blondie finished with raspberries, ice cream and Blues Hog Raspberry Chipotle sauce. I love the sweet and savory! Because …
Breakfast will never be the same. This plate is so good, I enthusiastically encourage beer for breakfast! It is 5 o’clock somewhere. And its out of the box. Beer Infused Peach French Toast with Ricotta and Blues Hog Champions Blend BBQ Sauce is delicious! If …
Ever heard of a tamale pie or a cornbread pie? If you live north of the American border, it turns out, a cornbread crust cooked on top of typical tamale fillings makes a tamale pie (also known as cornbread pie). But don’t get distracted, leftover …
YOU WILL RULE THE GRILL if you cook meat to the perfect doneness! You know what a perfect steak tastes like – perfect amount of salt and maybe a slight edge of pepper or spice. But your perfect steak is also perfectly done to your …
How can Jalapeno Poppers be enjoyed all times of the day? Jalapeno Poppers (aka atomic bacon turds (ABT) aka armadillo eggs) are a fan favorite. They are perfect for tailgating, Superbowl weekend, backyard BBQs and more. So, how could this appetizer be recreated in a …
YOU WILL RULE THE GRILL if you cook meat to the perfect doneness! You know what a perfect steak tastes like – perfect amount of salt and maybe a slight edge of pepper or spice. But your perfect steak is also perfectly done to your …
You’re curious! And I bet you don’t even have a bucket of ice cream close by. Haha! All kidding aside, these dill pickle wings are not run of the mill and SO DELICIOUS! I admit I have wrinkled my nose to the notion previously, but …
The ultimate campfire marshmallow is pillow soft, slightly spongy and sweet. How can you easily level up a camping trip? If you mention roasted marshmallows to any kid, their eyes will light up. So, if you could make the Ultimate Campfire Marshmallow EASILY at home, …
Its hot, its cool, its grilled, its watermelon salad! Will watermelon grill if its 80% water? Yes! By keeping the rind on when grilling and using high temperatures, this summer treat can indeed be grilled. The most noticeable difference after grilling the watermelon, is the …
Can you smoke Chinese Char Siu BBQ Pork Belly for an Asian meaty treat? Why is Char Siu, or more commonly known as Chinese barbeque pork not actually cooked on a barbeque? Why is Char Siu roasted? Born and raised in Canada, Char Siu was …
Do you love cornbread? Can a sandwich be made from cornbread? Can the flavor of cornbread and texture of bread coexist? Smoke the cornbread loaf for some authentic southern flavor! A slice of cornbread loaf is great for grilled cheese, pulled pork sandwich, pork belly …
