Jun 13, 2019 | Beef, Main Course, Recipes
Ever wonder how those barbecue joints make such delicious barbecued brisket and ribs? If you’re trying to make it at home by slathering your meat with barbecue sauce it’s not going to be the same. Yes sauce matters, but the secret’s in the rub; the BBQ beef rub!
Of course you can buy all sorts of meat rubs from the supermarket, some are even pretty good. But if you want something outstanding nothing beats homemade. Oh and if you you’ve been rubbing dry spices on your meats try this little trick. Stir 2 tablespoons of rub into a tablespoon of olive oil then rub it on your meat. It makes a world of difference!
With summer in full swing it’s time to step up your grilling with this yummy BBQ Beef Rub! Use it on brisket, ribs, or even steaks!
Couple more tips before I give you my BBQ Beef Rub recipe.
Rub the olive oil mixture onto your meat and let it rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Remove seasoned meat from fridge and let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before grilling this brings meat temperature down to room temperature.
Grill covered until it almost reaches desired “doneness” then brush on BBQ Sauce. Grill until it’s almost to your desired doneness and place in covered pot. You see even if you remove the meat from the grill or oven the meat continues to cook for about 5 minutes. That’s why you want to remove the meat from the grill BEFORE it reaches the doneness you want. If you don’t remove the meat until it reaches the doneness you want you end up with over cooked dry meat.
Let meat rest in pot for 5 minutes before serving. The resting period seals in the juices and allows the meat to reach the desired doneness.
Having said that scroll down for my BBQ Beef Rub recipe! Happy Grilling!
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl
Move to a sealed container like a mason jar and store in a cool dry place
To use mix 2 Tbs BBQ Beef Rub with 1 Tbs Olive Oil and rub all sides of the meat.
Mar 22, 2019 | Main Course, Recipes
As I’ve said so many times the secret to well seasoned meat dishes start with the meat rub or seasoning. The same holds true for one of my favorite types of cuisine, Mexican or Tex-Mex.
Whether you’re making fajitas, steaks, or taco and burrito filling if you’re filling that tortilla with any type of meat you’re going to need a meat rub. That’s where my Tex-Mex Meat Rub comes in handy.
I usually make a large batch, large meaning enough to fill a pint sized Mason Jar, to season chicken, beef, and even seafood for any kind to Tex-Mex dish I want to make. That way I don’t have to make the mix every time I feel like having flautas or nachos or whatever. I always have enough to rub on my meats; assuming I don’t forget to replenish the jar!
This Tex-Mex Meat Rub is super easy to whip up and makes your meat filling taste incredible! I use just enough pepper in it to give the meat a little kick, but you can adjust the “hotness” according to your preference just by increasing or decreasing the amount of pepper powder you use. Once you’re done just store the rub in a sealed jar and place it in a cool dry place, like your pantry. The Tex-Mex Meat Rub should keep about 3 months, if you can manage not to use it all the first week!
To use the rub you’ll need 1 Tbs. of Tex-Mex Meat per pound of meat. Make a paste with it by adding it to 1 Tbs. Olive Oil and 1/2 Tbs. Apple Cider Vinegar. This is enough to season 3 large chicken breasts.
Rub the paste all over your meat then place the meat in a covered dish or ziplock bag in the fridge. Let the meat marinate in the rub for at least an hour but no more than 24 hours. Overnight works great!
Depending on the dish you are trying to create you can either slice the meat into strips for fajitas or leave it whole and shred after cooking. Then cook the meat the way you want, fry, grill, bake, or in an Instant Pot!
Use the seasoned meat for nachos, fajitas, burritos, tacos, or whatever you like.
Instructions
Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl
Transfer to jar with a tight lid
Tighten the lid and store in a cool dry place
Mar 19, 2019 | Beef, Lamb, Main Course, Poutlry, Recipes
Shawarma is a typical Middle Eastern street food that’s sold on street corner kiosks, fast food joints, and restaurants in Middle Eastern countries and beyond.
It’s sort of similar to the Greek Gyro but is se
asoned with different spices and allowed to marinate for at least a few hours. It’s usually cooked very much like the Turkish Doner Kebab which is a cone of mixed meats (beef, lamb, and chicken) cooked on a vertical spit. Typically it’s served as a Shawarma Sandwich which is pita bread stuffed with shaved meat, tahini sauce, and fresh and pickled veggies. It can also be served as a plate with rice, salad, hummus, and pita bread.
Today most Middle Eastern restaurants and fast food places serve specific shawarma meats such as beef or chicken shawarma in a sandwich or as a plate. Needless to say both are very popular in our family!
But the real secret to Shawarma isn’t the meat or the way it’s cooked. The secret lies in the spices used. You can make shawarma in your oven, grill, and even in your Instant Pot. In fact I always make it in my Instant Pot! I’m working on an article to share how to make Beef Shawarma in an Instant Pot; but before I can make any type of shawarma using any method I have to season the meat!
I’m actually a big believer in spice rubs. I make all sorts of rubs for different things such as my Basic BBQ Chicken Rub. I mean sauces are great for adding flavor to meat after it’s cooked, but what really gives meat great flavor are rubs and marinades. So if you want to make homemade shawarma that tastes like you ordered it from a Middle Eastern restaurant you’ll need this Shawarma Spice Mix.
I usually mix up a large batch; large meaning enough mix to fill a quart sized Mason Jar. I store my Shawarma Spice Mix in a sealed jar in my pantry, it stays fresh for about 3 months, assuming you don’t use it all before then! The spice mix can be used for beef or chicken shawarma and can even be added to other recipes when you’re wanting to add a touch of exotic flavorings.
To use the mix as a marinade for shawarma I use a teaspoon of mix per pound of meat. Combine the mix with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, and a pinch of salt then massage it on to the meat. Place the meat in a ziplock bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
So scroll down for the Shawarma Spice Mix recipe!
This post contains affiliate links.
Instructions
Mix all spices together in a large bowl
Transfer spice mix to a mason jar
Place jar lid on tightly and store in a cool dry place
Mar 17, 2019 | Main Course, Poutlry, Recipes
Who doesn’t love the sweet tangy taste of Barbecued Chicken? But have you ever wondered how those BBQ joints (as my NYC cousin calls them) make such delicious chicken? I used to think it was all in the sauce which they slather on quite generously. But oh how wrong I was! I tried slathering different brands of barbecue sauces on my grilling chicken; all I got was burned sauce dripping off tasteless chicken! Restaurant worthy finger licking good barbecued chicken requires 2 things: BBQ Chicken Rub and really good barbecue sauce.
So really it all begins with a basic BBQ Chicken Rub; by the way in case you were wondering barbecued brisket, ribs, and other meats require a rub too; but I use a slightly different version with different spices. I generally make a large batch of BBQ Chicken Rub, meaning a batch large enough to fill the 8 oz. mason jar I store it in. This way I always have some handy, at least that’s the plan, whenever we feel like making barbecued chicken.
You will use about 1/4 of the jar each time you want to grill about 8-9 pieces of chicken. I know it sounds like a lot, but trust me use the correct amount for some amazing chicken. To use it you will need to drizzle 2 Tbs. of Olive Oil on the chicken ( I use boneless skinless chicken thighs, but you can use whatever parts you want although it’s best to at least remove the skin before seasoning.) Then massage the BBQ Chicken Rub on each piece of chicken, be sure you get all sides. Place the chicken in ziplock bag and allow to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Or better still leave it in the fridge overnight or up to 24 hours. Remember the longer it rests the more flavoring it will absorb.
If you’ve had the chicken marinating in the fridge for longer than 30 minutes let it rest on the counter for 30 minutes to bring it to room temperature. Then grill* the chicken until just about 2 minutes before it’s full cooked then brush on barbecue sauce (homemade or your favorite brand) and cook for 1 minute, flip over, brush more sauce on and cook for another minute or until cooked.* Read Tips on how to Grill Barbecued Chicken below.
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Here’s my recipe for Basic BBQ Chicken Rub. You can also use it on Turkey and other poultry you want to grill.
Ingredients:
3 Tbs. Paprika
3 Tbs. Ground Sea Salt
2 1/2 Tbs. Chili Powder
2 1/2 Tbs. Onion Powder
3 Tbs. Garlic Powder
2 1/2 Tbs. Dark Brown Sugar
2 Tsp. Chipotle Chili Powder
2 Tsp. Ground Thyme
2 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
Transfer to 8 Oz. Mason Jar and store tightly covered in a dry place.
You can store it in the pantry for about 3 months. Store in the freezer if you want to keep it fresh longer.
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* Tips for Grilling Barbecued Chicken
Spray grill with oil and preheat to high heat
Place chicken on the hot grill and cook uncovered for 5 minutes
Flip chicken over and cook another 5 minutes
Cover the grill and turn heat to low to maintain a temperature of about 325º with lid closed
Cook 5 minutes then flip chicken over and cook another 5 minutes with closed lid
Uncover the chicken and baste with barbecue sauce (homemade or your favorite brand)
Cook uncovered for 1 minute then flip chicken over and baste again
Cook uncovered another minute or until chicken temperature registers 165-180º when you insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken (don’t touch the bone)
If chicken is still undone continue to grill with lid down until it reaches the correct temperature. If you are doing this baste the chicken with barbecue sauce every 3 minutes until done.
Remove cooked chicken from grill and place in a pot.
Baste with more barbecue sauce and cover pot.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve with a side of barbecue sauce.
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl anc combine thoroughly
Transfer to an 8 Oz. Mason Jar and cover with a tight lid, store in a dry place
Recipe Notes
This rub will store tightly covered in the pantry for about 3 months. If you want to store it longer place it in the freezer where it can be stored for 6 months.
Jun 26, 2018 | Uncategorized
Summer’s in full swing! This means our backyard grills our working overtime turning out delicious barbecued food. And those of us who prep for the barbecues are looking for different foods our partners or husbands can toss on the grill. Well just in time for your July 4th. barbecue are my Sweet Lime Cilantro Chicken Skewers. They are delicious!
My Sweet Lime Cilantro Chicken Skewers are easy to make and best of all can be served as a meal of chicken kabobs, top fresh salads for a light lunch, or rolled in a tortilla for an delicious snack!
These Sweet Lime Cilantro Chicken Skewers are perfect for your next backyard barbecue. They’re a little bit sweet, a bit cirtursy, and a whole lot spicy! Serve it with a side of my Spicy Homemade Salsa for a delicious Mexican Fiesta!
If you’re not a fan of hot spicy food, no worries, just omit the peppers for a milder version.
Sweet Lime Cilantro Chicken Skewers
Sweet Lime Cilantro Chicken Skewers
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Instructions
In a ziplock bag combine chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic, and crushed red pepper together
Squeeze in the juice of the lime into bag
Add Cilantro, lime rind, and olive oil into the spice mixture. Be sure the spices have dissolved and mixed in with the rest of the ingredients
Add chicken cubes. Knead the sealed bag to evenly distribute the spice mixture with the chicken
Place in the fridge until ready to cook. Leave in fridge atleast 2 hours but no more than 24 hours.
Skewer the chicken cubes on to bamboo or metal skewers alternating between meat and bell peppers
Place any remaining marinade in a bowl to use for basting chicken while it cooks.
Grill chicken and serve warm
