FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS BBQ
Whether noun, verb or adjective, barbecue is my passion. It’s what I wake up thinking about each and every day. From the west coast to the east, I’ve traveled all over North America, visiting any place barbecue is served.
I have met some of the most amazing folks, all with an insatiable passion for barbecue. It doesn’t matter to me whether they’re cooking in a one-man shack on the side of the road or using the latest in barbecue technology. I want it all.
What is barbecue? I have no definitive answer, but believe it can be anything from a simple grilled steak to a beautiful slow-smoked brisket.
I love everything about barbecue: that first sizzle when meat hits the grill, then the gradual change from pink to mahogany as it cooks; the smell of wood smoke and the glow of hot coals on a perfect night.
I love everyone in the barbecue community and the passionate debates we have about the variations in regional barbecue recipes. And I love the thrill of barbecue competitions and the intensity of the chase.
Above all things, I love feeding people—especially my family and friends. These are the simple recipes I use again and again. Life’s too short for bad barbecue.
DIVA Q’S
HOUSE RULES
• Get your grill on by preparing all your ingredients before you start cooking.
• A clean grill is a good grill, so clean it well before cooking.
• Preheat properly. Make sure you heat the grill to the correct temperature.
• Stop the sticky! Oil your grill before the food goes on.
• Keep the bad bugs away. Have two sets of tongs and plates, one for the raw meat and one for the cooked.
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is kitchen-rated, and know where it is at all times. Never throw water on a grease fire; use your fire extinguisher.
• If you’re looking, you’re not cooking: keep that lid closed.
• Don’t squish down your burgers—you’ll let the yummy out.
• Apply sauce only during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Pink can be okay. Use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of your food.
• Have patience. It’s done when it’s done.
• Give it a rest already. Let your cooked meat rest before slicing into it.
• Remember to have fun. Grilling outdoors can be a great escape.