Great Grill Gifts Personalized from Red Envelope

Cutting Board with Moat From Red Envelope

Here is my beautiful cutting board from Red Envelope. They have a variety of great gifts for all occasions, but I go to the the grill section and drool. The best part is that these gifts which look great in the photos look even nicer when they arrive.

I'd never heard of Red Envelope, but Jake got in touch and offered to send me something from the line for an honest review. Well, we all know I'm darn honest to a fault, so that is a gamble. I warn folks on that. If the product is not as advertised or a piece of junk, I'm going to tell it. That's only fair to readers who deserve to get what they pay for.

In this case, I thought the cutting board would be terrific for my larger grilled cuts especially with that trench or moat to catch any juices which can be right messy as most folks will know. It's just about to turn barbecue season for those larger cuts. I do some in the summer, but it's flat been too hard for long smokes here in North Carolina. So, I'm going to oil up the wooden cutting board and crank up the smoker real soon. In the meantime, I'm just admiring this well made board that smells real nice too.



If you've not used a wooden cutting board, then know that you do need to season them with oil before using. This one is not seasoned for the photos, because I wanted to get some before I do that. That is repeated every few months depending on the amount of use.

I'll work on a how to article at Yes You Can Grill about seasoning and taking care of wood cooking items.

Also, you want to make sure you do not cross contaminate. Some people use two boards to help on that - one for meats and one for other foods. You can use Clorox for cleaning, but many people worry about that. So, household vinegar full strength is a good option and my favorite.



I'm excited about this really great looking cutting board and know that it will turn heads at parties. Not only is the cutting board really great looking and sturdy, it also has my intitials.

What sets the products at Red Envelope further ahead of many products I check out is that they have personalization. They engrave or burn in your name or initials.

Above you will see that my initials are on this cutting board. Yes. They are CYA. I do not think CYA meant what it means now when my Mom named me, or she had not heard of it. In any case, gotta laugh when your initials spell something funny - even an acronym.

If you are looking for really nice gifts and especially for your favorite griller, be sure to check out Red Envelope. And, no, I don't work for them or get any kick back. I just think have a rocking grill section and grill/barbecue gifts.

Win a Masterbuilt Barbecue Smoker - Giveaway Labor Day 2010

WIN! WIN! WIN!

Masterbuilt Barbecue Smoker Giveaway

Been thinking about making the leap to barbecue smoking? Well, here's your chance with a free Masterbuilt electric bbq smoker.


This 30 inch electric smoker has a window and an inside light, so you can see how the meat is doing without peeking. You get a push button temperature and time control and an easy load wood smoker box to the side.




I've not used this Masterbuilt smoker (and - no - I don't get one or anything else for hosting the giveaway), but I have a Masterbuilt Butterball turkey fryer that I wrote about last year. The fryer is well made and easy to use, and we've enjoyed frying turkeys and boiling Frogmore Stew. So, I'd expect that this would be a solid smoker and loads of fun. If you win, you can let me know!

What's the Catch?

My contests don't come with a catch. I just list several ways to enter and hopefully something for all readers (United States) to get a slip in the bucket. I do need some way to contact you if you win (only). That can be an email or your web site or blog contact or a twitter name that I can look up. I don't collect your information, and the company just asks for the winners address to send the prize. That's it. You really can get something for nothing - easy as that.

Required Entry

To enter, just check out the Masterbuilt outdoor products store and check out the recipes. This gives you a chance to see all the neat stuff they offer including the new smoker and also will get your taste buds cranking with the collection of barbecue recipes. Then, just let me know what recipe you would like to try out if you win the smoker. There is a comment section at the bottom. Fill that in, and you're set.

Contest Newbies - Better Directions

If you've not entered contests before, don't run off. I've had three emails asking exactly how to enter.

1. Click to the Masterbuilt page and find a recipe linked off the front page that catches your eye.

2. Come back here to Barbecue Master, because the contest is actually here and not off the company page.

3. Click on "comments" at the bottom of the post. You will see a colored link with x number of comments. That is the correct link, and the number changes with more entries. When you click that, go to the bottom of the comments pop up box, and you will see the little comment box to type in.

Or, if you came direct (and see the post plus other comments), go all the way to the bottom of the post below the last comment, and you will see a link called "submit a comment." Click that, and you will see the space to leave the message.

4. Fill out the little box with the name of the recipe and also some way to get in touch.

5. Fill out the little combo of numbers and letters that pop up. That just ensures that entries are real people and not robots putting up spam.

6. I check the comments before they go live so that the blog does not have dirty links and so on. So, you won't see your entry at first. I have to be on the computer and press publish, but I do that often.

7. The extra entries below are optional. They just get you more slips in the hat. Just repeat the above if you do any of the extra entries and let me know.

Extra Entries

Once you enter with the Masterbuilt recipe in comments (just the name of your top pick), then here are some additional entries if you like to increase your odds. Again, just let me know in comments about any add on entries to the giveaway.

1. Visit my web site Yes You Can Grill and then let me know what you'd like to see there that I've not posted yet. It's my "baby" and a work in progress.

2. Follow me on twitter - @cyndiallison If you look through my buddy list, you will find a lot of terrific grill folks and barbecue people including national champions. If you already follow me THANKS and let me know. I'll count that. Old friends are great friends!

3. Look over to the right and sign up for email updates here for Barbecue Master. Those are auto through Google, and all you'll get by email will be blog post updates. You'll get other contests, recipes, and reviews about grilling and barbecue that I post from time to time.

4. Share your favorite smoker recipe. I always enjoy doing new dishes on our smoker, and I'm sure other readers do too. You can just put the recpie in the comment section.

5. Tell us about your favorite Masterbuilt moment. It can be any product that you've used before. Mine, as I mentioned, would be with the turkey fryer. I also got to interview John MeLemore (the CEO of Masterbuilt), and that was a blast talking with him and getting to know the faces behind the product.

OK. That gives you 6 possible chances to enter and win a Masterbuilt Barbecue Smoker. So, what are you waiting for? This is an easy contest, and it's a great prize. I'd be excited to win a Masterbuilt smoker myself!

When Will The Winner Be Drawn?

I'll take Masterbuilt Smoker entries through 9 pm EST of Labor Day 9-6-2010 and then have the drawing. I think I'll have my son draw this time. He is an Eagle Scout and won a Carnegie medal for heroism. He's a good kid, and he's easy to find on a Monday night.

Home Stretch

I've been writing down entries and making sure I have all the multi ones in so that everyone gets all the chances possible. Whew! This one has taken more time than I expected, but I sure appreciate all the entries. Thanks so much for visiting and making this, by far, the biggest contest I've had on my blog. And, thanks again to Masterbuilt for sponsoring.



DRUM ROLL

I allowed an extra half hour past time to make sure all entries came in on my slow boat computer, and I went and got my kid who was doing his homework (good him) to draw the name . . .

The winner is: Oshawa Ogre

Well, blow me away! He won a Dean's Dip when my Mom drew several months back. He is one lucky duck. I mean, really, what are the odds that the first to enter would win the draw especially when those slips were jumbled and tossed more times than I can count?

Lord give me the luck of Oshawa Ogre. Amen!

Enter to Win at BBQ Grail Too

Larry is giving away a smoker on Barbecue Grail. So, be sure to enter there too. His contest runs through the 15th of September 2010, so you have a little extra time there.

Giveaway - $20 from Omaha Steaks - Drawing 8-24-2010

Win a $20 Gift Certificate from Omaha Steaks

I go way back with Omaha Steaks. In fact, I don't remember when I first ordered from them, but I do remember that I had my doubts. How could a company send meat to my door and it be good stuff?

I did decide to give it a go and even talked about buying meat online at my Yes You Can Grill site. Since then, I've continued to order from Omaha Steaks, because the products are great, and they are always spot on with delivery - excellent condition and on time.

Earlier this month, I mentioned the Omaha One Hole in One contest for the month of August 2010, and I hope some of my readers are hitting the links and playing the Omaha Steaks games. What fun! Play golf - enter to win meat. Oh yes!

Now, Omaha Steaks has been kind enough to offer a $20 gift card to Barbecue Master blog readers. You can buy what you like which is always nice. But, I would mention that they sent me their filet mignons box, and that was really tender and very nice. Let me also mention that they have Potatoes au Gratin which my boys call potato balls, and they go wild for those. My younger son will almost fight his older brother over these tasty treats. So, you will find all sorts of great foods for the grill or the kitchen at Omaha Steaks.

So - How Do You Enter to Win the $20 GC from Omaha Steaks?

This contest is easy. After all, if you have to spend an hour trying to figure out the contest, you might as well just go out and buy something - right?

For a chance to win $20 from Omaha Steaks, just do one or all of the following and leave me a comment telling me what you did (or email - cyndiallison at gmail.com).

Like Omaha Steaks on Facebook!

Follow Omaha Steaks on Twitter

Tweet: "I am golfing for @omahasteaks - hole in one #OmahaSteaks!"

Again, just do any of the above and drop me a comment. You can do all three for triple entries. Just tell me what you did to enter, so I can put your slip in.

On Tuesday 8-24-2010, I'll round up my Mom for the drawing if she is not off jet setting again. If so, then I get another unbiased person like one of the church ladies to pull the name.

Simple as that. But, you need to give me some way to get in contact if you win. I do not track on my site, so give me a twitter name, email or something, so I can round you up if you win.

*Note - I need a U.S. address with this being a meat delivery company, but feel free to enter and gift a U.S. relative or friend if you're over the country line.

Best of luck!

And the winnner is - Susitravel!

Grill Charms by Leslie Haywood - Barbecue Master Getting Organized

I've known Leslie Haywood for a while now and have an interview with this neat inventor on my Yes You Can Grill site. She came up with the idea of grill charms which are similar to wine charms but go into your foods on the grill to keep track of special grill orders.

It's one thing to have an idea and get something made, and it's another story to be successful getting the word out, and Leslie has done a fabulous job in taking her invention from the drawing board to the porches of home grillers across the nation. So, I have to give a shout out and say, "You go grill charm girl!"



The grill charms come in various sets depending on what you track on your grill (or what you need to). You could, for example, get the steak set and mark the different levels of doneness.

When I won a set of Grill Charms at Oshawa Ogre's Views, News & BBQ's, I was stoked and surprised. Fred and I chat on Twitter. I saw his barbecue grill charms contest and I do some giveaways too, so I usually support other bloggers by entering. I think, probably like many others, that I'll never win. But, there have been several online contests where I have won a prize. So, I'd say, "Be sure to enter!" You never know, and it's fun to get something cool in the mail even if it is all natural toothpaste for children which I am still puzzling over. That showed up in the mail, and I have teens, but we tried it out anyway. Pretty good stuff but kind of random looking in my bathroom with no kids in the house.

The set of grill charms I selected were the spicy or not set. It includes 6 grill charms. There are two hot peppers, two peppers with flames, and two peppers with x over them (mild of course). Here I am the hot Momma, my older son likes his food spiced up but not over the top, and the younger one is mild all the way. So, this means I can mark the meats and not have to keep track of which heat level is where on the grill and then on the serving platter.



Tonight I grilled chicken, and I had a spiced up piece with Stubb's hot barbecue, one with medium, and then two for Eli with KC Masterpiece Bourbon barbecue sauce (mild but bold).

I just pressed the grill charms in. They are about the size of a dime and the back has a little squiggle bar that keeps them secure in the meat or whatever you're grilling.

Then, I put the chicken in the Traeger and worked on some syllabi for classes which start next week. I'd go check and turn the meat now and then but not often (Traeger pellet grills are low maintenance). And, I did not have to think about which one was which on the pellet grill, since they were labeled with the grill charms.



Our chicken turned out great, and there were no questions or mix ups about which ones were which heat level. I gloried in my spicy grilled chicken while Eli chowed down on his mild chicken breasts.

The grill charms cleaned up easy and look brand new even after time in a smoker. I just hand washed them in a little soapy water.

Grill charms would be great gifts for your friends who grill but also a nice treat to pick up for home. It really did make it super easy to keep track of the different sauces and heat levels. And, it's always nice to simplify when possible.

As an added bonus, these also look real neat and impress folks. My son thought they grill charms were great and sends a hug to Leslie (-: for making sure he does not accidentally end up with my spicy hot grilled chicken. We won't tell him that he sent hugs. You know how teen boys are - kind of shy (-:

Cajun Cowboy Seasoning Rub Put Some Zip in Our Grilled Kabob Chicken

Tonight I tried out a new all purpose seasoning called Cajun Cowboy which is rub style when you're talking grilling. This one is from Wyoming and says "western style," although it's a cajun type sprinkle.

Harry (my step dad) is from Wyoming, and he picked up the rub when he and my Mom went out to see his side of the family this summer. Harry's a really great guy, and he thought about me and my grilling when he was on his trip.

This rub is from Riverton so a local product for Harry (or before he moved here when he married my Mom). I've not been out there yet, but I hear Harry and Mom talk about Riverton and all the good folks there. So, I had to look up Hi Mountain Seasoning to find out more about it. It looks like their main product is jerky, but they have other products like the Cajun Cowboy rub.



I tried Cajun Cowboy on kabob grilled chicken. I also had Yanni grilling cheese and green peppers on the Fire Wire kabobs, but I seasoned the various foods in different bowls. There was some blending with the food on kabob wires, but the flavors were distinct with the food marinaded separately.

My younger son is not keen on real hot foods, so I went pretty light on the Cajun Cowboy rub. It smelled great when I opened it, but I could tell it had some kick.

I was real impressed with the chicken. Cajun Cowboy rub does have heat, but it's the pleasant versus the hurting kind of hot. Yum. I went thumbs up from the first bite.

I asked Eli what he thought. This is the test for those who can't handle much heat. He said, "That's real good chicken. Whatever you put on it makes it taste better than regular chicken." He's not a gushy kid, so that's some heap high praise.

I'll have to try out some more Hi Mountain products. This all purpose seasoning can be used on the grill as I did but can also be used with kitchen cooking or on the table like salt or pepper. It's all purpose, but I found it to be an excellent chicken grilling sprinkle. I'd have to agree with Eli that this was some of the best tasting chicken I've grilled, and goodness knows I grill a lot of chicken. Healthy. Tasty. Quick. Inexpensive. And, chicken can be dressed up with easily with various rubs and barbecue sauces.

Grilled Cheese - Yanni Blew Away the Barbecue Master with This Yummy High Melt Temp Cheese

Wow! This Yanni Grilling Cheese is Really GREAT!

I decided to grill a pack of Yanni Grilling Cheese this evening. My son has been off to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, DC, so I wanted to have an extra special grilled meal this evening to welcome him home.

The Karoun Dairies, Inc. out of California had asked if I'd like to try out a free sample of the cheese. I am often asked about cheese for grilling, and there really are not many companies out there making cheese that will withstand the heat on a grill.

The Yanni Grilling Cheese is a semi-firm white cheese and has kind of a buttery taste. It's made from all natural California milk. No growth hormones or BGH/rBST.



You can eat the Yanni cheese right from the refrigerator, fry it in a skillet, or put it on the grill. No surprise. I put mine on the grill.

Before grilling the Yanni cheese, I rubbed it with Garlic Gold Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette. That's a natural olive oil with seasonings, and it's really tasty - one of my favorite grilling marinades.



I had the grill running close 400 degrees F when I put the Yanni cheese on. The temperature would have been a bit lower though (but not much), since I had to open the grill lid to put the cheese in.

After about 4 or 5 minutes I checked the cheese. It had nice grill lines and was soft but not melting all over the grill. It was easy to flip with tongs. The Yanni Grilling Cheese also, at this point, smelled really good.

With another 4 or 5 minutes, I pulled the cheese off the grill. It came off clean but was soft to the touch with the tongs.



When my son saw the Yanni Grilling Cheese, he asked if it was Greek cheese. He'd been to Greece this summer and said he had some cheese that looked similar to the Yanni cheese I'd just grilled. I told him that it was marketed as being great for Mediterranean dishes with the high melting point.

I like cheese, but I'm more likely to eat a little on a cracker and don't really go wild over cheese. My son - now he's the cheese fanatic. But, he had a kidney stone last year (age 16), so he has to watch milk products. I try to get him special cheese when he splurges. He loves the smoked gouda at Harris Teeter. There's also handmade cheese in the mountains here in North Carolina, but I have to drive up there to get it. Then, there's Yanni where you can check the map and find locations across the U.S.

My son tried the cheese. I asked him how it compared to the cheese in Greece. He is the thoughtful type. He paused for a bit. He said, "That cheese in Greece was really great, but this is better. Maybe it's the grilling. This is really super cheese."

I must say this is the best cheese I've eaten. I skipped the crackers for a change. Yanni cheese was so tasty that I did not want to water down that flavor with anything else. Oh no. I'm going to be spoiled now.

That's OK. A special treat like Yanni cheese is worth it - for sure.

*Note - The next thing I want to try is Yanni cheese on my Fire Wire bendable skewers. I need to decide what to put on there with the cheese. Hum. Maybe some lamb and tomatoes. Any other suggestions?

Win Omaha Steak Products with a Hole in One and Other Fun Contests - August 2010

Score a Hole in One and Free Steaks Too!

For all my barbecue golfing readers, I have great news. Well, it’s great news if you’re good on the links (-: And, if you’re not so great at golfing, well, that’s OK too.

Hole in One Instant Winners – Steak from Omaha Steaks

If you live in the United States and hit a Hole in One at 150 yards or better during the month of August 2010, you win four free Omaha Steaks Filet Mignons from Omaha Steaks. And, I can tell you those are sure yummy. I've written about Omaha Steaks before, and we have always enjoyed grilling with their products.

Just submit your hole in one certificate to Omaha Steaks by:

1. Facebook

2. Email: custserv@omahasteaks.com

3. Snail Mail:
Omaha Steaks10909 John Galt Blvd
P.O. Box 3300
Omaha, NE 68103

OK – You’re Not that GREAT at Golf – No Problem

If your skills at golfing, you’re not likely to hit a hole in one. That’s fine though, because Omaha Steaks has weekly contests for us.

Facebook and Twitter

For Facebook and Twitter followers of Omaha Steaks, there are Friday trivia contest. Just check in between 10 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. CST throughout August 2010. Answer the question, and you’re in the drawing for a great Omaha Steaks prize both on Facebook and Twitter every Monday during the month.

Foursquare

For all the Foursquare fanatics out there, you get an easy entry too. When you head out to the links, just tweet your check in at @OmahaSteaks and mention that you’re “golfing for Omaha Steaks,” and you’re in on the weekly drawing too.

So – What Are You Waiting For?

Here’s a great excuse to head out to the golf course and to win great products from Omaha Steaks. I’ve been grilling Omaha Steaks for years now. I thought buying meat online sounded odd to start with, but they do a great job packing up the products, and we’ve been really happy with our Omaha Steak purchases.

Enter Here at Barbecue Master for $20 on 8-24-2010 with a Giveaway Drawing

Omaha Steaks is also sponsoring a $20 gift certificate for Barbecue Master readers. Just check out the Barbecue Master Omaha Steaks contest and enter by Tuesday August 24, 2010 for a good chance to win!

Fire at Tarheel Q in Davidson County, NC - Hope to ReOpen Soon

I just ate at Tarheel Q in Davidson County NC off I64 a couple of weeks ago and did a review. Today, I hate to report that the barbecue restaurant caught fire yesterday 8-29-2010. Actaully a reader was kind enough to post a note on my review article to let me know.

Fortunately, a police officer who was driving home after getting off work saw the fire and called, and the fire department responded quickly. This kept the fire contained the attic area. Photos in the local paper show some damage to the back upper part of the building.

Tarheel Q is one of the few wood burning BBQ joints still open in North Carolina. Due to health department regulations, having fire pits in restaurants is not allowed now. Barbecue restaurants open prior to the new rules are grandfathered in. In some cases, restaurants smoke off site and truck it in, but I certainly prefer the old style barbecue joints where you can smell the barbecue in the air.

According to published reports today, the owners hope to repair the damage and reopen as soon as possible.



Tarheel Q serves Lexington-style barbecue and is often listed as a Lexington BBQ restaurant, but it's really out on the county line and in a rural area. This means that you have a local and very authentic customer base with good support for dealing with something like a fire that puts 15 folks out of work and limits the options for good food and fellowship in the area.

I did rate the barbecue a bit on the dry side, sauce a tad sweet and buns skimpy, but I'd eat at a wood burning barbecue restaurant any day over a chain. I also think that Tarheel Q has a rocking breakfast.

My heart goes out to the owners of Tarheel Q, the employees and to the community. I do hope that the attic area can be repaired and that wood smoked barbecue lives on on the edge of the county.

It's a heck of a lot of work to do barbecue the old fashioned way, but it does make a difference. And, it's part of our North Carolina heritage.

Giveaway - Country Bob's BBQ All Purpose Sauce Contest - Ends 8-1-2010

Spice Up the End of Summer with Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

WIN a Bottle of Country Bob's and See for Yourself

I just got a chance to try out a sample of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce, and Al said that he'd be glad to sponsor a contest for two Barbecue Master readers to win a bottle each and see why I'm excited about this yummy sauce.

The first thing I did with Country Bob's sauce was grill up some pork chops, and they were sure good. Then, since Country Bob's is an all purpose sauce, I tried it on some French fries, fish sticks (long story), eggs, and even potato chips. Yum!

Really, you can use Country Bob's sauce as a condiment like ketchup, but it sure is yummier than ketchup. I'd love to just pass you the bottle, so you could see for yourself. But, since we have not reached that point in the virtual world, then two readers can have that chance to give this a try with an easy giveaway contest.

How to Enter to Win Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

I like to keep my contests real simple and also try to make sure anyone who wants to enter can do so. I do not collect any information on folks who enter other than to get in touch to get a snail mail, so the company can send the prizes.

To enter, just leave a comment here on the blog and tell me what you like to dip. Now, keep it clean of course. This is a rated G space (-:

And, give me some way to get in contact. Otherwise, it's sure hard to send sauce.

If you have a blog link, that's great, or you can leave an email or a twitter account name. You can also comment and send me an email with contact info to write on your entry slip if you're not comfortable sharing info in public. My email is cyndiallison (at) gmail.com so that's an option if you're shy about your info.

Want to Up Your Odds with Extra Entries?

I know some readers enjoy having extra ways to enter contests, so once you post a comment, then I will add extra entry slips for any (or all) of the following:

1. You can follow me on Twitter where I go by cyndiallison if you like to chat about barbecue and family stuff. And, yes, if you already follow me, please just add the note in your comment. I will be glad to count that as well.

2. Copy and tweet: Win @CountryBobs sauce w @cyndiallison giveaway http://bit.ly/GiveawayCountryBobs

3. Sign up to the right for the Barbecue Master post email. That is a Google application, so I do not see the signs up, so that one is on the honor system, and I know grill folks are honorable.

4. Share the contest with a friend. When they post about a favorite food to dip, have them mention your name. If your buddy forgets to do so, then just add a post saying you sent them over. Sometimes friends forget. And, yes, you can do more than one "share with a friend" entry.

Note - On the extra entries, be sure to post in the comments so that I make sure to get your extra slips in the hat.

Drum Roll . . . And the Winner Will Be . . .

I write down all the entries and any extras and then have my Mom draw the names. She is low tech and does not play online, so she does not know the entrants. Plus, she is honest as the day is long.

We'll do the draw on August 1, 2010. So, two lucky readers can wind up the summer on a great note with a free bottle of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce.

*Due to shipping costs, I can only take U.S. entries. Or, you could enter and gift your bottle to a U.S. buddy. I sure wish postal was global like the Internet. Maybe some day . . .

WOOT! WOOT!

I have the winners for the Country Bobs sauce.

The first winner is Gary of Cooking Outdoors. He just happens to be an outdoor cooking blogger, and he has a terrific blog. Be sure to check him out.

The second winner is Uncovering Food. She's a city girl with a passion for food and a lot of other stuff. She's a teacher (like me), and she covers a wide range of food topics. Check her out. She's got some neat stuff up as well.

Country Bob's Barbecue Sauce Review - Yum Yehaw!

Country Bob's All Purpose and Barbecue Sauce

Country Bob (AKA Bob Edson) sent me some of his barbecue sauce which is actually an all purpose sauce but sure yummy used on grilled foods. I'd been hearing about his sauce for quite a while. I can't even remember who first mentioned it, but I was following Country Bob on Twitter and at Facebook and hoping to win one the contests he puts on pretty often. They are friendly and actually do interact with folks online - unlike many companies.

The Country Bob sauce came in, and the boys were off and gone. I was still eating some leftovers (with a couple of grilling for weeks under my belt), but last night I couldn't resist any longer. That sauce was sitting there on the kitchen window seal just calling my name.

I do like to first test new sauces on grilled chicken breasts or pork chops, because the meats are mild, and I can really get a good taste of the barbecue sauce. I will taste sauces cold, but I always grill with them before I post, because you really don't know for sure on a barbecue sauce unless you grill something and see how the sauce works on grilled foods.

Grilled Pork Chops with Country Bob's BBQ Sauce

I had a hard time deciding between grilled boneless chicken breasts and grilled pork chops, so I went on down to the IGA grocery store and figured I'd decide there. The chops were on sale and looked good, so that sealed the deal.

It was close 100 degrees here yesterday. Boy, we have had one heck of a hot summer in North Carolina. Grilling means I do not have to heat up the kitchen which is great, but it can sure get hot out there doing the grilling. So, I went with the Char-Broil Patio Bistro. That's a cute little electric grill that will hit high temperatures and does a nice job on my chicken and my pork chops.

I put the pork chops on and opened the Country Bob's sauce, and the smell was terrific. Really, this is one of those sauces that just makes your mouth water when you take the top off the bottle. I was hoping it would deliver on the flavor as it did with taking a good whiff.

This is a medium textured sauce. It is not as thick as Kraft BBQ sauce, but it's thicker than a NC mop sauce. Country Bob's sauce is considered "all purpose," so it pours fine for dipping at the table and it's marketed for all meats plus French fries. As a Southerner, I'd say it runs just perfect to go with eggs too, although I know other parts of the country do not eat sauces with eggs. We do in these parts.

I hit the pork chops about 5 minutes before they were ready to come off. That's a good ballpark for thick sauces like KC or Kraft. In using this sauce now, I could go closer to 10 minutes on the pork chops, since it's not super thick and sugary which can burn fast.

The proof is in the eating as far as I'm concerned. A sauce can look and smell good, but it has to taste great if I'm going to continue to use it. Country Bob's definately made the grade. It tasted just like it smelled and had a nice little heat twang but not enough to freak out folks who can't handle hot foods. I really love sauces that hit that heat note but still work for my younger son or visitors who may not share my passion for hot foods.

I have to put Country Bob's on my top pick list. It's great on grilled foods but can also be used as a condiment kind of like ketchup but much tastier. I'm not much of a ketchup fan, but this flavor with tomato, probably a nip of vinegar, and a touch of heat just works really well. I can see why they call it an all purpose sauce. It's just really yummy even on potato chips. Oh no! Did I just confess to that. Yep. If you are out of dip for the Ruffles, then this is really good on the chips too.

*I'll be working up a Country Bob's giveaway when I'm not about ready to fall on my face. They said they'd love for one of my readers to get to try out the sauce too. It's late here (-: But, check back or follow me on Blogger or sign up for the email notifications to the right. That is through Google I think, and I don't collect your information, unless I need to get an address so a company can send a prize.

Country Bob's Contest is Up and Running - Drawing on August 1, 2010

Grate Chef Steam Cleaning Grill Grate Brush Review

Grate Chef Steam Cleaning Grill Cleaning Brush

I've looked for a great grill cleaning brush for years and have owned a number of them. They all seem to miss the mark other than Grill Floss which is the one I use on my charcoal grills typically. And, now here is the Grate Chef grilling brush which I've found to work great.

The Grate Chef company sent me their steam cleaning brush to see what I think of it. I get samples from time to time as noted under my reviews section. The companies just take a chance (when I have time to do testing), because I'm the Southern honest type and will sure say if I think something is not worth buying or the price.





First, I liked the looks of the Grill Grate steam cleaning brush and that it felt good and sturdy. I think it is made of some kind of high tech plastic, but it is sure not flimsy.

The above photo with my Portable Kitchen outdoor cooker (PK grill) will give you a better idea of the size. I wish I could let folks hold it too. It is solid but not heavy. Plus, the balance on the grill brush is really good.



The way the Grill Grate cleaner works is that you just lift up the little rubber tab above which is at the top of the brush and fill it with tap water.

Then you press the rubber button neat the middle of the grill brush which lets out a little water, and the heat from the grill makes steam. I had trouble getting a photo while pressing the button and cleaning the grill all at once, but it does make a sizzle sound and puts out quite a bit of steam.



I've used the Grate Chef grill brush for about six months now but mostly my grills are kept pretty clean. It's kind of bad to be known as Grill Girl and someone come over and the grills be all dirty looking.

I did a quick barbecue meal last week and forgot to clean up the grates. The rain came in. I was full of great food. I was home alone. I clicked on the TV, and there went the evening. I'm sure others know how that goes.

In any case, I had a rather icky barbecue covered grill grate yesterday when I decided to grill some barbecue pork chops.



I just filled up the Grate Chef grill cleaning brush and steamed across the grates a couple of times, and the grate looked like new. It's a small grill, and it took less than a minute to have it ready for the pork chops.

My Mom was asking about a grill cleaning brush, and I told her that I'd pick one up. Grate Chef is the one I picked. She has the Char-Broil Big Red which has a self cleaning option. But, there can be a little char left on the grates. I gave her the easiest gas grill I know of and now also a super easy grill brush that works great. She never grilled, because my Dad always did that before he died (and taught me). I want Mom to have fun grilling, so I am careful on getting her good grill gear that is simple to use. You know you are not giving your Momma something that you don't believe in.

And More Great News

I would also note that the steam cleaning Grate Chef grill brush only runs around $10. I've sure paid much more for grill brushes that did not perform near as well.

Bob Evans Wildfire Barbecue Sauce Review from the Barbecue Master

Bob Evans Wildfire Taste of the Farm Barbecue Sauce

The Bob Evans company got in touch to see if I'd like to try out their new Taste of the Farm Wildfire barbecue sauce. I check out bbq sauces often - from the grocery store, from vacation trips, and also order them online when I have a little extra spending money. When a company gets in contact, I just let them know that I tell my readers what I think no matter how I get ahold of sauce. Tastes vary, so it's a roll of the dice if someone sends sauce.

I am familiar with the Bob Evans company. My youngest son adores mashed potatoes. I make great homemade mashed potatoes, but that takes quite a bit of time. I've tried out most of the quick mashed potatoes in the refrigerator section of the grocery store, and my top pick on the quick mashed potatoes would be Bob Evans. I haven't seen the new barbecue sauce at our grocery store which is in a small town, so I was looking forward to see what Bob Evans would do with sauce.

Bob Evans Wildfire BBQ Sauce on Chicken

Most times when I test a new barbecue sauce I try it on skinless chicken or on pork chops. Those meats are pretty neutral, and I get a good test of the flavor of the barbecue sauce. I never review without grilling with a bbq sauce, because cold sauce simply does not always taste the same as sauce grilled on food.

IGA had a sale on bone in chicken breasts, so that was my test grill food for the Bob Evans barbecue sauce.

The first note I would make on Bob Evans bbq sauce is that it is a thinner sauce - more like our mop sauces in North Carolina. When the sauce is cold, it is thinner than mainstream barbecue sauces like Kraft. When it's hot on the grill, it really is more in the mop range. With most store brand bbq sauces, I only sauce the last 5 minutes or so due to the sugar and thickness. This sauce could go on earlier and more often. I was offset on the charcoal (lower and slower in terms of heat due to the thickness of the chicken breasts), but Bob Evans did work like mop.

To get Bob Evans on thicker, then I'd go with skin on (something to stick to) chicken breasts or with pork chops (which are flat). Or, I'd look at Bob Evans as a mop sauce on a pork butt of shoulder where I'd generally use a North Carolina vinegar based barbecue sauce.

As far as the flavor on Bob Evans, the taste is nice. It gave a bit of extra umph to the chicken, but I'd say that Wildfire is not a good description of the barbecue sauce. In my mind, that would suggest a spicy or zippy barbecue sauce. This barbecue sauce is, in fact, quite mild. I noted this on the chicken test and also tried some barbecue sauce on a spoon just to double check. I did not find the fire in Bob Evans barbecue sauce.

For grilling, I would consider Bob Evans a mop barbecue sauce and a mild sauce that it would work for general crowds. I can't imagine anyone would find it hot at all. The flavor is pleasant though, so it would not be a problem with a mixed group of flavor lovers. I'd also mop it on often while grilling the next time and would also have some on the table, since it is a thinner sauce than typical for store brand barbecue sauces.

Grilled Turkey Balls with HoneySuckle Ground Turkey and Turkey Bacon

Barbecue Master Goes High Tech with HoneySuckle White Turkey

Food Buzz (a web site for food bloggers) let members know that HoneySuckle White Turkey company would provide a Flip video camera and turkey products so bloggers who wanted to make the video leap could give it a try. That sounded like a lot of fun, so I sent in my application, and I was selected for the turkey grilling team.

This is my first grilling video, and I definately could have used a production team on a 100 degree day in North Carolina and with a phone call from my Mom on vacation right when the turkey balls needed to go on the grill. In any case, you will get the idea (and hopefully overlook my one handed grilling near the end and that turkey ball that plopped on me).

HoneySuckle White Turkey Balls Do Rock

One thing I can say for sure is that Turkey Balls are a fabulous appetizer grilled low and slow on charcoal, gas or electric grills. Bacon Wrapped Turkey Balls can also be done in a barbecue smoker. So, this is a recipe that anyone can grill or smoke at home, and it's easy to do too. Just put them on and check back a couple of times.

Turkey Bacon Wrapped Turkey Balls Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound HoneySuckle White ground turkey (85/15)
6 slices HoneySuckle White Smoked turkey bacon (cut in half slices)
¾ cup marinade like oil based Italian dressing
1 cup barbecue sauce (cranberry flavored bbq sauces are especially good)

Directions:

1. Set up a grill to offset cook. With charcoal, you want coals on one side only. For gas, heat only one side of the grill. With electric, a low temperature works fine.
2. Soak toothpicks for 20 minutes before putting together turkey balls.
3. Roll ground turkey into 12 golf ball sized balls.
4. Wrap a half slice of turkey bacon around each turkey meatball and secure through the center with a toothpick.
5. Pour marinade over turkey balls.
6. Spray a grill wok with non-stick cooking spray.
7. Place bacon wrapped turkey balls in the wok and place on the cooler side of the offset grill.
8. Adjust heat to low or around 350 degrees F.
9. Grill with the lid closed for around 45 minutes or until turkey balls are 165 degrees F in the center.
10. Dip each turkey ball in barbecue sauce and place back in wok. Close grill lid and heat until barbecue sauce sets.
11. Place on platter or in bowl and serve.

Here is what the HoneySuckle White Turkey Balls look like when they are done. And, yes, they do taste as great as they look!

Thanks to Food Buzz and HoneySuckle White for the chance to work on this project.

Grilling for One? Yes - Absolutely - No Need to Suffer Right?

My family deserted me )-: Naw. Not really. But, Mom and Harry are off on a trip to Wyoming, my older son is working two hours away in a college town, and the youngest was home a day and a half and then went off to Boy Scout camp as a counselor.

No. I did not put away the grills. It's in my blood, but also I know that grilling is a healthy way to cook. Most of the fat cooks off, and I do not char my grilled food (except on rare occasions when I am very distracted).

It may seem like a lot of work to grill for one, but it really is no harder than cooking inside for one if you think about it and plan. And, it is worth it too, since you have a good meal and leftovers.

Above you see the smoked ribs I had tonight. I did them on the Traeger for around an hour. That was really easy. I just turned on the pellet grill and turned the ribs once plus sauced them with Stubbs barbecue sauce about 15 minutes before I pulled them off.

These are not traditional ribs. They are called country style ribs around here and cook faster than rib racks. They are an odd cut below the ribs and some have bones and some do not. They are lean and taste a lot like pork chops and are meaty and can be eaten with a fork and knife or with your fingers like ribs.

With a salad and roll, this was a great grilled meal for one, and I have a smoked rib left for lunch tomorrow which will be great with some garden tomatoes and cumcumbers.



The night before last I grilled chicken and potatoes. I had a new bottle of Bob Evans Wildfire barbecue sauce and wanted to give that a try. I put on a couple of large chicken breasts on sale at the IGA and made the Garlic Greek Grilled Potatoes that I mentioned earlier on the blog. Those are really yummy.



Earlier in the week, I had grilled meatballs and potatoes rubbed with olive oil and sprinkled with seasonings. I just put them on an offset charcaol grill (charcoals to one end) in the grill wok and had my main dishes ready in 45 minutes while I puttered around doing stuff in the house.

Either of my boys could polish off this many grilled meatballs and potatoes, but my metabolism is not at teen speed now. I ate around half of my grilled meal and had a nice lunch the next day with what I didn't eat the night prior.



If you wonder why I'd grill when home alone, then this warm up dinner tells the tale. I had a hankering for lasagna and bought a microwave meal. It wasn't as bad as it looks, but it sure wasn't a grilled meal.

Yes. The lasagna in the microwave was quicker, but it sure wasn't great. It did not fill me up, and there sure were not any leftovers.

After that heat-and-eat meal, I fired up the grills again. I may be home alone, but I do not have to eat yucky food. I've been going with old favorites on the grill (and working around a bag of potatoes that are going begging with the boys gone). The grill recipes I'm using are low impact (just put them on and check now and then), and I am grilling or smoking with an eye on enough to make two meals - dinner and then lunch or a dinner the next day.

For even quicker meals, I'm also firing up the Char-Broil Patio Bistro. That is an electric model where I can grill burgers, hot dogs, or grilled boneless chicken breasts faster than I could get to town and back with carry out.

Great Grill Gear Set to Gift or for a Splurge for the Barbecue Chef

Jake got in touch about RedEnvelope Grilling Gifts. I had visited the site and remembered that they had some really cool looking barbecue items.

Jake offered to send out something from the grilling collection. I asked if he'd read my blog (he had) and noted that I'll check out products and sites, but I call it the way I see it. That does not always go over well, but grilling is my hobby, and my blog is designed to help other home grillers get the best gear and products, find other good online sites and to share recipes for the grill. Jake was confident in his company and was willing to roll the dice.



The personalized grilling tool set came in on a day when I was on the couch watching junk TV, because I've had an awful sinus infection.

I opened up the box and was like "wow." I'd never had a grill tool set on my wish list, because I have various barbecue tools in a box on the enclosed porch. My grill tools are fine but certainly not fancy. Jeans are great so why worry about a party dress - right?

I wasn't up for grilling, but I sat and watched TV with the grill set. OK. You can laugh. It is really so pretty that it made me smile when I looked at the set. It looks nice on RedEnvelope, but photos do not do this grill set justice.

The grill tool set comes in the sturdy slimline toolbox you see at the top of the post and has my initials on the front - CYA. You can laugh again. I don't think those letters meant anything when I was born, but folks get a kick out of them now.

Inside are all the key tools that you need to grill. That includes a generous spatula (wide enough for even fish), tongs (that are easy to use), barbecue fork, brush, and four skewers. They are personalized in various ways with my name and initials plus "master of the grill."

Here is a close up of one of the pieces engraved. The work is excellent and looks great.



"Pretty is as pretty does," as they say in the South. This grill set is wonderful eye candy, but do the pieces work and handle well?

I must confess that I was tempted to keep this pretty barbecue set put away for special times. This is genetic or maybe just a trait handed down. The women in the family will keep back pretty towels or nightgowns and so on. I've tried not to do that, because it is sad when a family member passes and there are pretty things tucked away that were never used and enjoyed.

I took a deep breath and put these grill tools to the test, and they passed with flying colors. They are well designed and balanced and all work well. The only thing I might change would be that I'd probably go with silicone on the basting brush versus bristles, but the bristles on the basting brush do seem "right" for a classic looking set like this one.

If you are looking for a special gift for someone who loves to grill, then you can't go wrong with this grill tool set. It really is stunning to look at but also is made well so that it can actually be used and turn heads including your own. So, sometimes a party dress is in order even if you did not think about it until you saw it in the showcase window.

Tarheel Q on Highway 64 near Lexington, NC

Tarheel Q is listed as a Lexington, NC barbecue joint, but it is out in the country and not in Lexington. Tarheel Q is on the Davidson County line right before moving into Davie county. It's close to a kayak entry area on the Yadkin River.

Here is the address information for anyone wanting to Google exact directions:

6835 West Old US Highway 64
Lexington, NC 27295
(336) 787-4550



Tarheel Q is popular with the locals, so you may have to ask for a menu. They do have some, but we got about 30 seconds to look at the menus before the server walked up to the table and stood there waiting. We wanted North Carolina chopped pork, so we just ordered the special clipped to the menu which was a chopped bbq sandwich with fries and a drink for $5.

The service actually is very good at the Tarheel Q. The young boys who cleared the table so we could sit down were about middle school age and very sweet. The girls with the water and tea were friendly, and the counter crew was good as well.

We, unfortunately, appeared to get the only poor server in the joint. She did not ask if we wanted hush puppies or dessert and never checked the table other than to take the order and to drop off the bill. I did flag her down to order a side of hush puppies, and she said, "OK." I wasn't sure if we'd get any or not, but we did.

Maybe our server just broke up with her boyfriend or something, but I sure wish we had been sitting in another section.



I'd read about the large portions at Tarheel Q, but I did not find that to be the case. As you can see in the photo, the sandwich was tiny. And, it was closer to the camera than my hand, so this is a generous shot of the barbcue sandwich.

In addition, I don't know where they found such thin hamburger rolls. Again, the photo is generous. These were super skimpy buns.

Granted, the prices are low. But, I'd rather pay more and get a decent sized barbecue sandwich and a bun that is not so thin that it is soggy when it gets to the table.

I'd suggest going with the barbecue tray with white or red slaw and just using a fork versus getting a sandwich.



As far as the barbecue meat which is THE THING, this is wood smoked barbecue on a pit in the back. It is slow smoked, and the air around Tarheel Q smells fabulous. I say "hats off" to anyone still doing pork barbecue with wood. It does make a difference, and the barbecue meat was nice and smokey.

North Carolina barbecue is more art than science, and the quality varies at all barbecue joints from day to day. Tarheel Q leans to the dry side from slight over smoking on some days. That can happen at any barbecue restaurant, but I've seen that noted by other reviewers and had already made notes of my own that this barbecue place can run dry.

The barbecue sauce is usually the second thing most people consider when talking NC que. Tarheel Q has a western or Lexington style sauce. It is sweeter than average and lower on the heat, so there is less of the vinegar flavor. That will appeal to some and not to others. I like mine with more heat, but the sauce was good.



The sides are just that - sides. Since so much time is spent on the barbecue meat, it is common for barbecue joints to have heat and eat sides. That's the case here. Everything appeared to be frozen and deep fat fried. The hush puppies had a good flavor but were a tad rubbery. The French fries were hot, and they were not greasy, so it's clear they clean out the fryer and keep the oil fresh.

The size on the sides appears to be pretty good, but that's mostly because the paper trays are really small. They heap the fries and hush puppies up high, and they literally fall out onto the wrap paper when you open up the sides. We had plenty, but I'd call the amount average to below for a barbecue restaurant.

The server did not ask about dessert, but we would not have ordered. The next table over did. The pie looked like frozen thawed out or maybe the grocery store variety in the alunimum tins. The colors were bright like on the sweet potato pie which was very orange.



If you want to experience local culture and eat with and like the locals, then Tarheel Q is definately authentic. It is not a tourist trap like some of the barbecue places around the state. And, the regulars will tell you that it is the best barbecue in the state.

The barbecue meat and sauce are good, although they would not rank as favorites for me. The main issue would be the meat being a bit dry, although it is sauced in the kitchen with more sauce provided at the table. You really can't hide dry pork with sauce, although some folks wouldn't notice the difference. Than again, many people don't seem to notice a difference between wood smoked and electric.

I'd be more likely to recommend Tarheel Q for breakfast and the pork tenderloin biscuits or basic breakfast plates with eggs and meat.

Fire Up the Grill for the 4th of July with Ideas from the Barbecue Master

The 4th of July may (or may not be) the hottest day of the year when it comes to temperatures, but it is the hottest day when it comes to barbecue in the United States. More people grill on the 4th than any other day of the year.

So, YES, the 4th of July is one of my very favorite holidays - and for many reasons.

If you're cooking for a family or friend crowd, then I say - KEEP IT SIMPLE. There are 363 other days of the year to try out brand new grill recipes. For the 4th of July, it is nice to toss on a sure thing and relax and enjoy the day.

Some of our Family Favorites Grill Recipes for Independence Day are:



Hamburgers - It is hard to beat a juicy hand patted burger with cheese melting down the sides. Check out these tips so that your grilled burgers will be full of flavor and not like hockey pucks.

Brats - Sausages (and that includes hot dogs) are economical, and they really are basically heat and eat. If you want really great brats, then try out this recipe where you simmer the brats worth in beer and butter before rolling them on the grill.



Boneless Chicken Breasts - If you get boneless breasts, you have a super easy grill day, and they are quick.

Steak - It's a holiday. If you want to splurge, then fire up the grill and toss on the steaks. But, be sure you get it right. You don't want to wreck expensive steaks especially with friends and family over.

On the Side - 4th Of July Favorites Side Dish Recipes

One option is to keep it all outside and do the sides on the grill too. If you have a lot of food going, it is nice to have a second grill for sides, but it is possible to juggle the meat and the sides on the grill - especially for smaller groups.



Corn on the Cob - It's hard to beat corn on the cob on the grill, and it's easy to do. You need more space with whole corn ears, but they sure do taste great on the barbecue grill.

Greek Potatoes - This is a new recipe for us. I made Greek potatoes in the oven and decided to try doing them on the grill. Whew. They blew us away with the smoke flavor. These do take longer to make though, so get started early.

Hash Browns - This is not a healthy recipe, but it sure is good. The boys call these Butter Tators. A big pan will feed a lot of folks, and we always have an empty pan at the end.

Make Ahead Sides are a Good Idea Too

For holidays, it's nice to have some of the work done ahead. Here are some of our best make ahead dishes that are great at barbeques.

Favorite Potato Salad - This is my favorite potato salad. It is not as heavy on mayonnaise as most. One of the church ladies gave me this recipe, and it is really good.

Traditional Potato Salad - If you want potato salad like Grandma made, then this is the recipe my Grandma did make.

Baked Beans - These are classic. What is a cook out without baked beans. This recipe has hamburger for even better tasting beans for the 4th.

Black Eyed Pea Salad (or Texas Caviar) - This cold dish hits the spot and works well with most any grilled meat.

Desserts for the 4th of July

When it's time to celebrate, it's time to have a dessert too. These are some of our favorites for barbecue cook outs.



Grilled Pineapple - If you're keeping it all outside, then it is hard to beat pineapple on the grill to finish off the meal. This is an easy recipe too.

Banana Pudding - You have not tasted banana pudding until you have made it really from scratch. This is another of my Grandma's recipes, and it is the only banana pudding that I eat.



Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake - I kept getting requests for this super easy but fabulous dessert, so I put it up online. This is one of my most popular dishes.

Key Lime Pie - Another easy dessert recipe. This citrus flavored pie is really nice on a hot 4th of July day.