Food Tag: Barbecue

Super Bowl Recipe Favorites

On February 5, the Patriots will face off against the Falcons in the Super Bowl. This is going to be a big game in Patriots’ country and your guests are going to have a large appetite to match. Make sure your spread is as memorable as this game is sure to be.

Try these five championship-worthy favorite recipes to serve during the big game:

1) Chili

Chili
via Pip and Ebby

Is there anything better than the deliciously combined flavors of a hearty chili? With nutty, smoky cumin, and sugary sweetness balancing the tarty tomatoes, Pip and Ebby‘s self-proclaimed “best chili on earth” recipe is comfort in a bowl. Just what you need when watching the Patriots make history.

2) Baby Back Ribs

baby back ribs

There’s nothing quite as finger-licking good as homemade BBQ sauce dripping off slow-smoked ribs. First mix together the spice rub to imbue the meat with plenty of flavor. These fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs from Bay Area Bites are perfect for your guests to anxiously gnaw away on as they watch football history in the making, or at least enjoy the halftime show.

3) Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

The-Best-Slow-Cooker-Pulled-Pork
via Slow Cooker Gourmet

Prepare this perfectly spiced pulled pork the night before to give yourself extra time to prep for your guests. With just the right amount of apple cider vinegar to give the tender pork a zip of extra flavor, this game day staple from Slow Cooker Gourmet can be served as sandwiches, tacos, or on its own. We recommend sandwiches, to avoid mixing pointy objects and high emotions.

4) Honey BBQ Wings

Crispy-Baked-Honey-BBQ-Wings
via A Night Owl

It simply would not be the Super Bowl party without a plate filled with crispy wings. A Night Owl‘s recipe for baked honey bbq wings is easy, leaving frying completely out of the delicious equation. The sweetness of honey and the tangy spicy of hot sauce will satisfy even the most devoted fan, turning their attention from the screen even if just for a moment.

5) Garlic Parmesan Wings

Crispy-Baked-Garlic-Parmesan-Chicken-Wings
via Joyful Healthy Eats

There’s no rule against serving two different types of wings during the big game. Pleasantly surprise your guests with Joyful Healthy Eats cheesy twist on this football fan favorite. Smoked paprika and red pepper flakes delight the palate while the sprinkled-on parmesan will have your guests licking their lips for more.

Want more Super Bowl snack ideas?

Visit us in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

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5 Tasty Recipes That Bring the Tailgate to Your Kitchen

The fall season brings so many opportunities to try amazing foods, and one of the places we love digging into dishes most are at tailgate get-togethers. Tailgating is known for its finger-licking, belly-warming, picnic-style foods that leave everyone smiling and asking for more. And, since it’s hard to get to a tailgate party every night, we’ve found five recipes that bring those irresistible foods from the game to your kitchen.

1) BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

pulled-pork-barbeque-sliders
via Bites of Bri

The hardest part about this recipe isn’t making the pulled pork. It’s waiting for it to finish cooking so you can dig in. This slow cooker pulled pork recipe lets you set, forget, and go about your day. By the time dinner comes around, you’ll have tender pulled pork with explosive flavor that’s ready to be served up however you like. This is a great one to turn on early in the morning for those late-afternoon games.

2) Easy Tailgate Party Buffalo Wings

anchor-bar-buffalo-wings
via Anchor Bar

One of the first foods that comes to mind when talking about tailgate favorites is chicken wings. It’s easy to see why, since they’re easy to make and can be paired with almost any kind of sauce. This recipe comes from Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, home of the original buffalo wings, so we know this is the way they’re meant to be made. Of course, feel free to swap out the recipe’s sauce for one of your favorites so you can be sure they’re something you’ll love.

3) All-American Sausage and Peppers

sausage-and-pepper-sliders
via Taste of Home

All-American, all flavor, no hassle. Taste of Home has put together a simple recipe showing how to whip up some fantastic sausage and pepper sliders in less than an hour. With brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce, these bold sliders will be gone in a flash. The good news is that they’re so easy to make, you won’t mind whipping up a new batch.

4) Turkey Chili

turkey-chili
via Country Living

Chili has always been a tailgate favorite with its bold mix of ingredients and warm, hearty goodness. There’s no better time of year than fall to try mixing up this classic dish with turkey instead of traditional beef. Country Living has created a recipe that’s as delicious as it is simple to make. With beans, spices, peppers, and our favorite Thanksgiving bird, this turkey chili will be a sensation no matter where you bring it.

5) Prize Winning Baby Back Ribs

Baby Back Ribs
via All Recipes

Barbecue baby back ribs are one of the ultimate finger-licking foods you can get at the tailgate, and this recipe lets you have all the flavor without all the hassle. Just prep the meat, place it on the grill, and find a way to distract yourself while the ribs cook to perfection. In about an hour, you’ll have some tender, juicy barbecue ribs that beg to be devoured. Just remember to keep the napkins within arm’s reach.

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Dive Into Dry Rubs

Dry rubs are a simple, delicious way to take any meal to the next level. From sweet and savory to spicy and bold, there are endless ways to mix up a meal and give it a tasty twist without breaking a sweat.

Here are two simple recipes for dry rubs that you can easily put together in time for dinner and will go great on any meat. Just mix the ingredients together in a bag or bowl and rub onto the meat before cooking.

All Purpose Dry Rub Recipe

(Via AllRecipes.com)

  • 4 tablespoons white sugar
  • 4 tablespoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 pinch dried oregano
  • 1 pinch dried thyme

Martha Stewart’s All Purpose Spice Rub

(Via MarthaStewart.com)

  • 1/3 cup coarse salt
  • 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional)
chicken-steak

Of course, part of what makes cooking fun and exciting is making things your own – including creating your own signature dry rub. If you’ve got a spice rack, you already have all the ingredients you need to get started. Here are 6 tips to help make sure you’re balancing your favorite spices just right.

1) More salt, less sweet

You want your salt-to-sweet ratio to be heavily balanced towards salt. Salt has a magical ability to bring out the complex flavors of whatever it seasons. Sugars are much less versatile. However, there are a few dishes that taste fantastic with a sweet rub, particularly when you’re cooking with poultry and pork.

2) Pick your pepper

Pepper adds a critical element of heat to your dry rub, but that doesn’t mean you have to reach for the standard black pepper sitting on the dinner table. There are plenty of varieties from which to choose, including white, red, and cayenne. Choose one, or try out a combination of a few.

3) Be creative

This is your chance to add your own flair to a dish. Give your spice rack a spin, and start pulling out flavors you love.

4) …But not that creative

Spices have a tendency to compete against each other. Put too many in the mix, and no one wins. After you’ve added in your salt, sugar, and heat, stick to three or four additional spices. Any more than that, and your dry rub will start to lose any subtlety of flavor.

5) Taste it first

Before you season your whole family’s sirloin with your new creation, taste a small pinch of it. Make sure it’s balanced to your liking. Better to correct any mistakes before you ruin five pounds of perfectly innocent steak.

6) Pay attention to dates

How often do you refresh your spice rack? Chances are, more than a few of the spices in your cupboard are old. While expired spices don’t typically present much risk to your health, they do start to lose potency after a few years. For an intense, flavorful dry rub, make sure you’re using fresh ingredients. Stop by Butcher Boy whenever you need to replenish.

Now, go and create something delicious – and uniquely yours.

Want more know-how from our butchers?

Visit us in North Andover.

5 Surprising Foods That Are Amazing on the Grill

As butchers, we love a good burger, steak, or sausage. But once
you’ve nailed these grilling staples, we encourage you to get experimental.

Grills bring intense, smoky flavors to everything they cook. You’d be surprised by how many dishes you can make on them. It’s summer. Wouldn’t you rather cook outside?

1) Watermelon

Cilantro Lime Grilled Watermelon
Via The Stay At Home Chef

Grilling watermelon brings out surprising, versatile flavors that can be used in both savory side dishes and desserts. This recipe for cilantro-lime grilled watermelon by The Stay At Home Chef is simple, innovative, and pretty enough to post on your Facebook page.

2) Meatloaf

Grilled Meatloaf
Via The Meatwave

People think of meatloaf as a winter food, but this grilled recipe by The Meatwave begs to differ. You do need a wooden grilling plank to make it, but the rich, smoky flavors will be well worth the investment.

3) Avocado

Grilled-Avocados-with-Herbs
Via Chimera Obsura

When it comes to avocados, you know you’re always in to have a good time. This grilled avocado and lemon combo from Chimera Obsura puts an interesting twist on this superfood favorite. Top with herbs, nuts, and tomatoes and you are ready to feast.

4) Bacon

bonappetit_the-ba-summer-grilling-manual-grilled-bacon
Via Bon Appetit

Bacon is delicious in any context, and the grill is no exception. Just be sure to thread your slabs onto skewers so they don’t fall into the fire. Bon Appetit’s video on grilling bacon is a great tutorial for first timers. Give their ginger-scallion topping a try, too.

5) Caesar Salad

Grilled-Caesar-landscape
Via A Whole New Twist

Gently charred romaine develops complex, earthy flavors you won’t find in a raw salad. Check out A Whole New Twist’s grilled caesar salad. The recipe is great on its own — but for a little protein, throw some chicken or salmon on the grill, too. We’re butchers. We had to say it.

Want more inspiration?

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How to Check Your Steak’s Temperature Without a Thermometer

When it comes to cooking steak, there are no second chances. How do you make sure you’re not overcooking your meat? Taking the temperature with a thermometer can give you a quick, precise reading. But you’ll pierce your meat in the process, causing it to dry out and lose flavor.

Even worse, we see some people cut a big slice in the middle of their steak to check the center. That’s an easy way to make sure your steak is very well done — and not in the good way.

There’s a simple, surefire way to check your steak’s temperature without cutting into the meat, and all you need is your hand.

Rare
Raw

Feel the palm of your hand, just below your thumb. It’s a little soft and fleshy. This is what raw steak should feel like when you touch it.

Medium-Rare
Rare

Now bring your thumb to your pointer finger, and touch that same part of your palm again. Did you notice how it’s slightly firmer? A rare steak should feel like this when you touch it.

Medium
Medium-Rare

Touch your thumb to your middle finger. Notice how that section of your palm tenses up a little more? This is what a medium-­rare steak feels like.

Medium
Medium

Move your thumb to your ring finger. Now the palm may feel slightly flexed. This level of firmness means your steak is cooked medium.

Well-Done
Well-Done

Now touch your thumb to your pinky. That section of your palm will be fairly firm. This is what a well-­done steak feels like.

Kitchen pros rely on the hand test to cook their steaks to perfect temperature every time. You may be surprised by its accuracy. Give it a try, and tell us what you think.

For more steak know-­how, visit our store in North Andover.

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grills perfect match

6 Easy Tricks For Grilling A Perfect Steak

1) Do Nothing

Let your steak sit on the counter for 20 minutes to an hour before cooking. Meat brought to room temperature cooks faster and more evenly. If you’ve got a salad to prep or a last-minute Father’s Day gift to wrap, now would be the time.

2) Forks Are For Eating, Not Cooking

Use tongs when moving your steaks around the grill. Forks pierce the meat, losing all that delicious juice and flavor.

3) If You Can’t Stand The Heat, You’re Doing It Right

You want your grill to be hot. 450 degrees, to be exact. But you don’t need a thermometer to tell you when the grill is ready to go. If you can hold your hand directly over the grill for more than 1-2 seconds, it’s not hot enough yet.

4) Stand Guard Over Your Meat

Flare-ups on the grill burn your meat. Gently move your steak around the grill as needed to keep it out of direct flames. Only you can prevent steak fires. Which reminds us of our next point…

5) Grilling Demands Your Full Attention

Prep your appetizers, side dishes, and cocktails before cooking your steaks. Once you’ve started grilling, you’ll need all eyes on the meat.

6) You And Your Steak Need Rest

Grilling is hard work for both you and your steak. Let the meat sit for about 10 minutes off the grill before eating. A short resting period allows the meat to relax, and the juices to spread evenly. You can use the time to set the table, or get Dad a beer.

Want more tips like this? Pick up your steaks at Butcher Boy Market, and let our experts answer all your grilling questions.

 

grills perfect match