Smokin' - The Big Easy® Is Your Entry Into The Big Leagues

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and nothing is going to treat your bird better. How often have you wanted to make big league BBQ but you didn't have the big league equipment to do it. You don't have a 30 foot rig with decals and and a pit master to go with it nor do you have the space to park something like this. Drum roll please - in walks The Big Easy your answer, your ticket, your golden egg. Living in New York City I don't have room for a big rig but if I did you know I would get one so instead I get all my smoking and low and slow bbq action done in my Big Easy. Big turkey day will be here before you know it so whether its a big bird, a small bird or several little birds you want to be ready now.

Hey maybe you don't want to make turkey this year - then don't - no one said you have to so instead make some ribs.

I get my ribs ready by boldly rubbing them down with an exotic mix of chiles and spices.

The tall rack is ideal for ribs, I am also using the optional rib hooks that attach to the basket.

I have the electrical unit because I already have a large charbroil grill with a propane tank and I don't want to have too many propane tanks up on my roof for safety reasons. This unit gets nice and hot. I usually fill the smoker drawer with left over rosemary sticks that I save up.

You know I just had to show you how perfect the ribs are.

I like to switch things up when I make a bbq sauce - this one is a cactus fruit and habanero sauce that is sweet, tangy and tropically spicy.

The Big Easy is awesome. You get a nice smoke ring, you get depth of flavor, you get it cooked perfectly because of the built in thermometer and heat settings, you get to show off. I have made turkey, porchetta, leg of lamb and lots and lots of ribs and every single thing has come out perfectly cooked. If you are short on space but you want to be long on flavor I wholeheartedly recommend you get your hands on a Char-Broil Big Easy. I actually don't know what I would do without it, grilling is one thing but low and slow smoking and making BBQ is something else entirely. You will love it.

Maybe you want to make a leg of lamb - then do it.

Lamb so Juicy, so flavorful so delicious I want some right now.

What about a nice juicy Porchetta - can't you taste that crispy skin?

Traditional turkey is always a winner  - hands down. Juicy breast, crispy skin, moist and smoky flavor - its making my mouth water just typing this.

So what ever you choose, be it a big turkey a few racks of ribs, a leg of lamb or a crispy skinned porchetta you can bet The Big Easy is gonna make it easy. Don't these fine BBQ's items look awesome. Good BBQ takes time. For something special this Thanksgiving - go with The Big Easy.

*I am a char-broil all-star and I get compensated for my opinion

chicken - its whats for dinner

Check out my latest post for Char-Broil - I call it Malibu Chicken!

Check Out My Latest Post For Char-Broil - RIBS BABY

As a Char-Broil All Star I am fortunate enough to be around some of the best BBQ people out there and I have to say that a little bit of it has rubbed off on me - check out my latest post - all about the tasty rib - a chocolate and thyme tasty rib with a nice grilled apple finishing sauce -

Grilled Scallops and Baby Octopus With Squid Ink Risotto and Asian Slaw

Check out my latest post for Char-Broil - fancy schmancy. Grilled Scallops and Baby Octopus with Squid Ink Risotto and Asian Slaw - Spring is almost here!

Mish mash, doo dads and gobble de gook -

Amazing how time flies - 2013 went by day by day to total 365 days and 2014 will do exactly the same thing - nothing revealing about that revelation but how do we fill those days - that is more a feat than anything else. I probably wasted a good number of those days and I would make myself crazy if I tried to get a tally on that so rather than inflict myself with any kind of burden I will simply say that however many days I wasted last year I will do my darndest to waste less this year. I wrote 12 posts for Char-Broil and I will write 12 or more for them again this year - in fact I have one up already. Salt to taste is demystified - sorta - go check it out.

I have lots of irons in the fire and hopefully this year those irons will do a little more than just get hot. My foray into molecular gastronomy got no further than simply ordering and receiving some things but very little in the way of learning new techniques, that will hopefully change this year.

 Everyone's diets are changing so I am going to embrace that with more vegan. vegetarian and gluten free alternatives.

I can never abandon my New Mexico roots so of course there will always be lots and lots of chile. It looks like I have my year cut out for me - how about you?

Use your Grill Like a Condiment - it Adds Layers and Layers of Flavor!

This is a post I did for Char-Broil that first appeared here November 16, 2011.

For me the best tasting things have layers and layers of flavors and I am not talking about a muddled jumble of tastes I am talking about clean and distinct flavors. One way to add one more layer of flavor is with your grill. Yes thats right your grill. Who can deny that unique smokiness adds an element that cant be beat.

Faced with some big fat duck breasts and my need for flavor I instantly knew the grill was going enhance my final dish. Once the fat from these breasts hits the grill and that smoky sizzle starts to happen you are already on the flavor train.

Nicely seared duck breasts then get roasted until they reach an internal temp of 120 degrees F allowed to rest then they are chopped up, fat and all and placed into a terrine to simmer in a water bath for another 45 minutes.

After their little cooking water bath they are allowed to cool then I added a bit of gelatine and they are cooled over night, when they are done they look like this.

At this point you can use the duck terrine as an appetizer.

Or you can make larger portions and serve it as a salad or a first course. Whats my point here? My point is the next time you want to add a little more flavor with out adding more seasonings think of your grill, you have a huge and distinct flavor profile waiting to grace your dishes - even dishes that dont seem like BBQ, not one little bit.