Sweet and Spicy, Tangy and Tasty Ribs

Sweet and Spicy, Tangy and Tasty Ribs

by | May 14, 2021 | Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

Ribs.

The word alone is enough to get everyone’s attention.

Pork ribs should be at the top of the very short list of go-to’s that come to mind whenever you have a little time on your hands and want a nice home-cooked dinner. They are truly the middle ground between home-style cuisine and BBQ science, because they are super versatile and easy to work with. You can grill them, roast them, cook them low and slow, or hot and fast, or even sous vide – there’s always a way to make them work.

Pork isn’t known for having a bold flavour profile, but it mixes very well with marinades and – the fat within its muscle fibre acts as a conduit for rubs and evens out the flavours. Whether you choose baby back or spare ribs, your focus needs to be on the flavour profile, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of rubs and sauces.

Ribs are part of the BBQ holy trinity, but a lot of people are still intimidated by them because they can take hours to cook. Let me reassure you and tell you that ribs can be done quickly and easily, and still taste great!

Many people swear by the ever-so-popular 3-2-1 method – smoking the ribs for 3 hours at 225°F, then leaving them wrapped in foil with a liquid for 2 hours to add back moisture and flavour, and to accelerate the cooking process, and lastly, unwrapping them for 1 hour to dry out the bark and letting them glaze up at the very end. Occasionally, however, time just isn’t on your side and you need to make things work as fast as possible. The good news is that there are other ways to cook easy homemade ribs in half the time.

Here is how I cook my Sweet and Spicy, Tangy and Tasty ribs:

It is important to note that whichever method you choose to cook your ribs, the first step will always be to remove the silver skin. From there, you will be building up and crafting your flavour profile to give your ribs some personality.

While I like my spit-roasted ribs on the savoury side, I enjoy my traditional ribs best when they are sweet and very tender. When choosing a dry rub for this method of grilling ribs, look for the perfect balance of sweetness and heat; it should also help the bark achieve a nice mahogany colour.

Pro tip: The sweeter the rub, the heavier you need to go. Don’t hold back and go light on the sweetness. It’s easy to go overboard with heat and salt, but it’s very hard to oversweeten ribs. Furthermore, if your rub is composed of high-quality sugar, it will help build a deeper and richer crust as the sugar won’t burn through the first hour of cooking.

It is best to use a smoker for this recipe, and in order to cook something that won’t take all day and still be delicious, I prefer to use the hot-and-fast method – this consists of smoking the ribs in half the time, all while making sure to consistently add moisture as they cook.

Once the ribs are trimmed and seasoned, the next step is to cook them at 275°F for 90 minutes and to sprinkle them with Cherry Cola or Dark Ginger Ale every 30 minutes. Trust me, the addition of an extra sweet layer will help turn these ribs into rich and flavourful bites in the long run. Everyone will ask for more!

Once the ribs are done smoking, take them out and wrap them in foil with butter, some extra dry rub and a quick dab of rib glaze. After that, you can put the ribs back on the barbecue for 60 to 90 minutes at 325°F. You’ll know when they are ready – they will be soft enough to bend backward as you move the foil.

Now, after all of that, your bark will have most likely softened up in the foil, so you’ll want to remove them, slather them with some extra rub and/or glaze, and for the finishing touch, throw them back over direct heat to help rebuild texture on the bark.

And there you have it! A simple and efficient way to cook very tasty ribs that are packed with flavours, thanks to the extra love provided by the dry rubs.

Some days, you just have to remind yourself that you don’t need to get fancy to get some finger-licking good food on the table. All you need is to mix the right rub with the right protein and you’ll be able to create some magic.

Now that you know that amazing ribs recipes can be done in under 3 hours, enjoy some more ribs, have fun playing around with your favourite rubs and sauces, and spend more time with your loved ones!

 

Max Lavoie
BBQ Guru, House of BBQ Experts

The Beef Wellington Recipe of Champions!

The Beef Wellington Recipe of Champions!

by | Apr 28, 2021 | Consumer News, Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

When I cook, I always aim for maximum deliciousness and flavor. As a beef lover, one of my favourite dishes to prepare on the BBQ (and to enjoy, of course) is oh-so-comforting Beef Wellington. I like to treat my family with this dish after we’ve spent the whole day outside playing catch and running around.

Now I know tenderloin is not the most flavourful cut of beef BUT… sear it, season it well, give it a bit of love, and you’re in business. Trust me, the way this recipe combines a tender and juicy piece of meat with a mixture of vegetables and a crispy (and buttery!) puff pastry results in a Beef Wellington that’s hard to top, taste-wise. I have to restrain myself, or there won’t be any left for my wife and kids!

Believe me, this recipe is a lot easier to do than it seems. Ready? Let’s go!

 

Ingredients

  • 1 (2 lb) beef tenderloin
  • 1 package store-bought puff pastry (or make your own!)
  • 4-5 white mushrooms
  • 1 carrot
  • ¼ cup of your favourite herbs (optional)
  • Montreal spice mix, such as House of BBQ Experts’ Montreal Spice Mix and Rub, to taste
  • 3 tbsp good quality mustard
  • ½ cup of your favourite gravy or sauce
  • 1 egg, beaten

 

Cooking Method

  1. Season the beef tenderloin to taste with the Montreal spice mix and rub. (The more seasoning you put on, the more flavours the tenderloin will pack.????)
  2. Sear the piece of meat on the BBQ for 2 minutes on each side at a very high temperature. Remove it from the heat and let it rest for 1 hour.
  3. While you wait, place the mushrooms, carrot and herbs in a food processor, and chop everything into small pieces. Transfer the vegetables into a bowl and set them aside.
  4. Preheat the BBQ to 350°F.
  5. Using a rolling pin, roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle that’s large enough to envelop the beef tenderloin.
  6. Spread the mustard and chopped vegetables on the puff pastry.
  7. Once that is done, place the beef tenderloin in the center of the puff pastry, wrap the puff pastry around it, and brush the dough with beaten egg.
  8. Place the wrapped beef tenderloin into a barbecue-safe dish; place the dish onto the BBQ and let it cook in an indirect cooking zone until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 145°F. After that, let it rest for a few minutes outside the BBQ.
  9. Heat up the gravy or sauce and drizzle it over the Beef Wellington.
  10. Serve and enjoy the explosion of flavors it creates in your mouth!

 

Have fun BBQing everyone!

Editor’s note: We made this Beef Wellington ourselves and itwas just as easy and fun to make – and as delicious to eat – as Max promises! Here are pics of the result.

5 Must-Have Barbecue Accessories

5 Must-Have Barbecue Accessories

by | Apr 26, 2021 | Consumer News, Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

With the official arrival of grilling season in May, it’s the perfect time to get your grill prepped and ready for the warmer months. One important aspect of preparing for the season is ensuring that you have the essential accessories and utensils in your toolbox. These must-haves range in price and quality, so pick the brand and type that works best for you and your budget.

 

Meat Thermometer

When it comes to cooking meat or fish, it can be hard to judge if your item is properly cooked and ready. Consider a meat thermometer to add to your toolbox to take that tricky guesswork out of grilling – knowing the accurate internal temperature can help avoid overcooking or undercooking your dish. A thermometer with a magnetic back will stick right onto the grill for easy access, or you may want to look at digital thermometers which connect to an app on your phone.

 

Metal Tongs

Tongs are essential for anyone wanting to cook on the barbecue and is likely the one tool you’ll use the most. A set of quality long-handled tongs can make all the difference when it comes to cooking on your grill, and they will allow you to quickly handle any food that needs to be moved or flipped. Consider having at least two sets of tongs for your barbecue, so you always have one on hand.

 

Cast Iron Skillet

If you’re looking to change up your cooking style on the grill, consider adding a versatile cast iron skillet to your lineup. A cast iron pan will allow you to sauté and cook as you would on your stovetop, and it can be a great tool if you’re looking to try out baking on the barbecue. Check out our Baking on the Barbecue post for more handy tips, and for an easy and delicious grilled cheesecake recipe.

 

Grill Brush

Cleaning your grill is almost as important as cooking on it; you won’t be able to make quality food if your grill grates are dirty. So, if nothing else, make sure you have a good grill brush that will help remove debris and clean the grill after each use. By keeping up with this simple maintenance, you’ll find yourself having to deep clean your grill a lot less, and it will stay in good condition for longer. See grill brush safety tips here.

 

Grill Spatula

A spatula is essential for when you need a delicate touch flipping or moving food on your grill. Look for a spatula with a beveled edge and a long handle that allows you to get under food and lift it away from the grill while keeping your hands away from the direct heat.

 

These five basic barbecue accessories are perfect for any griller, whether you are a pro or a beginner. And remember: always keep your barbecue tools clean – wash them after every use and store them inside. If you must store them outside, keep them protected from the elements.

Get Your Team Ready for the High Season

Get Your Team Ready for the High Season

by | Apr 1, 2021 | HPBAC Blog, Member News

With the beginning of spring comes renewed energy and excitement. As snow melts (being Canadian means you must enjoy all 4 seasons since there’s no way around Old Man winter every year), the trees awake, the birds come back (or are just louder). For some, it becomes easier to get to their BBQ, while for others like my team and me, we plan a good spring cleaning of our equipment, because it continued burning all winter long!

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Spring is also a reminder that we need to shake off the winter dust and shake up our teams. While winter is a great time to tackle little projects around the shop, we know spring will bring more customers through the door. We need to prepare to always ensure the best customer experience is delivered.

One of the low-hanging fruits I feel is important to remind our boutique’s manager and the sales team in turn, concerns inventory. There’s no better time than spring to go through your inventory and rotate. What do you want to propose as an attractive offer to customers, to help you free up shelving space in the warehouse or in the store? Are there replacement parts you know are in greater demand when the high season approaches?  Check your inventory, rotate it, stock up on what makes sense to your audience, and make sure your staff can guide customers well. If in doubt, role play – have your most knowledgeable staff answer tricky questions in front of the team to put words in their mouth, increase their knowledge and confidence with customers.

One of the objectives of a good sales team is not to make customers buy everything but to buy what they need.  Teach your staff to ask open-ended questions. Your customers are shopping for a new BBQ or BBQ products in your store because you offer quality and expertise. They know what they want when they walk in, or at least, they think they know. By finding out customers’ interests, you can help them push their limits by suggesting they try new things. Perhaps they are not comfortable smoking food on pellets or a charcoal BBQ yet? There is always the option to use a smoker box with wood chips. The flavours developed can still be very tasty.

I work closely with my staff to ensure everyone on the floor, from my most experienced guy to the newly hired cashier, knows about products, especially our most popular ones. We develop our own flavours to suit customers’ needs. We also like to take calculated risks, with our knowledge of the BBQ industry, with out-of-the-box tasting profiles, and guess what? Customers love it and new trends are set! There is always going to be a necessity for your teams, and mine, to know the basics of BBQ and the main categories. But don’t forget what will make your customers want to come back for more is the next level stuff. Be ready to talk about how to prep and smoke or slow cook a Texan style brisket, how to leverage the spring temperature for cold smoking, pairing of rubs, sauces and wood flavours, with the various meat types or cheese and nuts. This is what makes the customer’s experience memorable; what makes them come back.

With that said, when adding new consumable products to your inventory, it’s a good idea to crack open a bottle, taste it or even take turns with the staff bringing in meats that would have been cooked at home or on a BBQ behind the shop, to taste and experience first-hand what it is you will recommend. In spring, you still have time to do that.

Spring is for some the time to clean up the BBQ from on-going winter use or to shine it up again, ahead of the warmer weather coming. The same way we don’t appreciate a clothing salesperson telling us a suit looks great on us when it’s so obvious that the cut just doesn’t work with our body type, we need to be mindful that customers are not going to buy new BBQs every season. Instead of focusing on the big ticket items, perhaps approach them by introducing pitmaster techniques with meat injection, or just the basics of cooking to temperature versus time, reiterating the importance of owning a thermometer. Your customers will come to visit the store to fill up on their favourite charcoal, sauce or rub. Presenting new products, sharing BBQ recipes or ensuring the basics are covered to kick off the season, will create loyalty with your customer base and that’s how you will see them coming back all year-round.

Spring is exciting because in-store traffic increases by the day. Making sure your team on-site understands the needs of customers and is ready to add value and answer any type of question is essential. Your store is a destination to discover. Creating an experience for customers will guarantee the traffic is ongoing, especially when a big box banner pushes an aggressive marketing campaign or on rainy days. Be ready to welcome everyone as you gear up for the High Season!

Max Lavoie

President, House of BBQ Experts
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Baking On The BBQ

Baking On The BBQ

by | Mar 26, 2021 | Consumer News, Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

Now more than ever, cooking and baking have been bringing joy to Canadians. Creating new things in the kitchen has provided entertainment and comfort throughout the past year.  Spring is here and it’s time to take the fun outside. Your grill can offer some creative methods for making fabulous baked desserts the whole family will love, and as a bonus, you won’t have to heat your oven or your home to get that delicious result.

We went to the experts on this one and checked in with Kyla Kennaley, Pastry Chef and Judge: The Great Canadian Baking Show Season 3 & 4, to ask our most burning questions when it comes to baking on the barbecue.

Why bake on the barbecue?

“Well, it’s cooler to cook on a barbecue than in a hot kitchen, which can be especially important in summer. The grill allows for controlled heat, and you can create a convection current by heating the grill to temperature, turning off one side of the burners, and baking on that side. This can be a huge advantage! Start by experimenting with drop cookies when you’re ready to bake, as it’s easier to learn how to control your baking with cookies before moving on to cakes and pies. Remember, even heat is the key to success when baking on the barbecue!”

What are some of the advantages of using a barbecue?

“A barbecue heats up faster than your oven, and a convection current bakes more evenly and cooks more quickly than an electric radiant heat oven. The heat factor can be particularly helpful, especially for holidays, as it frees up your oven to cook your turkey or roast beef with the drippings in the pan. Otherwise, you can always reheat the meat on the barbecue after resting it for an added barbecue smoky taste.

Baking on the barbecue allows you to entertain your guests and enjoy the great outdoors while you’re preparing dessert. Try baking a cake, brownies or bread pudding in a cast iron pan baked right on the grill – it produces a nice crispy edge, and you can use your side burner to make a creme anglaise at the same time.

And lastly, the barbecue adds a smokiness that is essential to any great grilled meal or baked barbecue treat.”

Charcoal vs Gas?

“Gas is controlled even heat and popular in most homes and apartments. However, charcoal is also an excellent option for cooking and baking, and can produce similar results to a gas grill.” 

Favourite Barbecue Tools?

“I would suggest two essential tools for any serious griller: heavy oven mitts with long sleeves for excellent protection while working with the high heat of the barbecue, and a few good quality cast iron pans in multiple sizes so you always have what you need when the grilling mood strikes.”

 

This great advice is the perfect place to start if you are interested in baking on the barbecue at home. If you’re feeling inspired, consider trying out this cheesecake recipe from Maxim Lavoie, BBQ Guru, House of BBQ Experts. This cheesecake is delicious to eat as an afternoon snack or as a breakfast treat the next day, and the whole family can enjoy this cheesecake together. Maxim’s added words of advice: hide a piece for yourself; the cake won’t be there for long!

House of BBQ Experts Grilled Cheesecake

 

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • ½ cup graham crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Baking Spice Blend, such as House of BBQ Experts’ Cake spice mix
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:

  • 375g cream cheese (1½ packages)
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Suggestions for topping:

  • Fresh berries or fresh fruit slices
  • Caramel topping
  • Fruit compote
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Whipped cream

Cooking Method

  • Preheat the BBQ to 325 °F.
  • In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the crust. Press the mixture into the bottom of a barbecue-safe dish – make sure the crust is approximately 1cm thick
  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat on low speed after each addition, until your filling is well blended. Pour filling into the crust.
  • Bake over indirect heat on the BBQ for 20 to 25 minutes with the lid closed. After 20 minutes have passed, you may peek. Similar to baking in a conventional oven, to ensure the filling does not get overcooked, stick a toothpick in the center of the cheesecake. If it comes out clean, it is fully baked.
  • When baking is done, let the dish cool and then refrigerate for 6 hours.
  • Once the resting time is over, top as desired, serve and enjoy!

Max’s Pro Tip

“While waiting, prep a piece of meat for dinner. A low and slow BBQ recipe will keep the BBQ going all day, filling the air with an amazing smell and serving as a warming station at the same time. Truly, there is no better way to enjoy being outside!

 

How To Plan A Fireside Date At Home

How To Plan A Fireside Date At Home

by | Feb 12, 2021 | Consumer News, Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog

This Valentine’s Day looks a little different for most of us due to the ongoing pandemic, but it doesn’t mean we can’t bring romance and date nights home. With the significant changes in the way we spend our time, it’s essential to make your date night at home feel just as exciting as if you were spending the evening out. The best part? You can come as you are, no dress code required.

Planning a successful fireside date night at home takes a few elements and a little creativity. The following five essential components are the perfect combination for the most romantic date. 

 

Food

Food is one of the best parts of any evening, and that is especially true when it comes to date nights, as food can be an activity or provide an opportunity to try something new. Cooking together can be a great date night idea, no matter what you choose to cook. If you’re not interested in lifting a finger, this could be a great time to explore local restaurants that deliver directly to your front door. That way, you can be adventurous with new cuisine without having to leave the comfort of your couch.

 

Drinks

The drinks or beverages you choose may seem like an insignificant detail but making sure to have options available can make your date night feel like an extra-luxurious occasion. Consider offering multiple drinks throughout the date, such as water to start, a cocktail or a glass of wine as you head into dinner, and finishing off the evening with a nightcap.  

 

Ambience

The ambience in your home is a big part of the evening as it will truly help set the mood. Lighting the fireplace adds instant romance to your room, whether you have a wood, electric or gas fireplace. If you find yourself without a real fireplace in your home, you can create that ambience by turning on a fireplace video. No matter how you accomplish that fireside feeling, this little touch makes a huge difference, and also works well if you happen to be planning a fireside picnic in the living room for your date.

 

Warmth

Keeping your home feeling warm and comfortable is a significant part of a successful date night, especially as you’ll most likely be spending the entire evening in one room. So set your home’s temperature or fireplace to a suitable level; if you’ve decided to get dressed up, you’ll want to feel comfortable without a jacket or a sweater. As the evening starts to wind down, consider setting out a few cozy blankets for extra comfort and warmth.

 

Entertainment 

The evening’s entertainment portion is where you can get creative and have fun with your plans for the night. Do you prefer a quiet activity or something with a bit of excitement? Whether you plan to cook a meal for two together in the kitchen or a night of charcuterie and board games, choose something that both parties will love and enjoy. 

 

Now that you’ve gathered everything for your romantic fireside date night, all that’s left to do is pick the time. Consider sending your partner or spouse an invitation a few days ahead so they’ll know to reserve their spot on the couch. All of these little details can make up the perfect night at home and the ideal way to spend February 14th, or any day, with someone you love.