GRILLED or OVEN ROASTED BROWN SUGAR RUBBED TRI-TIP

 GRILLED or OVEN ROASTED BROWN SUGAR RUBBED TRI-TIP

1 whole tri-tip, about 2-3 pounds
3 + tablespoons of your favorite beef rub
6 + tablespoons dark brown sugar

  • Trim silver skin from roast.
  • The meat may have a thick layer of fat, some of which can be sliced off, but keep a
  • good amount to help baste meat and keep it juicy.
  • Sprinkle meat with your rub and massage lightly all over.
  • Pack the brown sugar over the rub, pressing to adhere.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least an hour or as long as overnight.

 

  • Remove from refrigerator an hour before cooking.
  • Prepare grill to high.
  • Place roast on grill and sear one side well, 6 to 8 minutes, checking for flare-ups.
  • Turn the roast and sear other side another 6 minutes.
  • Lower to medium-high or move the meat to a cooler part of the charcoal grill.
  • Turn meat again and cook another 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Flip and cook another 6-8 minutes.
  • The roast is ready when an instant-read thermometer reaches 130° when inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
  • Cover roast with foil and rest on a cutting board 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Slice against the grain.

NOTES and HINTS:

  • A 2-pound roast will require about 20 to 25 minutes total cooking time.
  • The trick is to carve the tri-tip against the grain, which can change directions in this cut. The roast is shaped like a boomerang. Slice the roast in two at the place where the fibers change direction. Carve each piece separately.
  • Left overs make AMAZING sandwiches.

OVEN ROASTING

  • Prepare meat with rub and refrigerate as instructed.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil to a large, heavy ovenproof pan.
  • Heat pan on high until pan is very hot, then add tri-tip, fat side down.
  • Turn heat to medium-high and sear roast for about 4 minutes.
  • Turn the roast and put the pan in the oven.
  • Cook 10 minutes a pound, checking with an instant-read thermometer until it reaches 130 for medium-rare.

BBQ PULLED PORK

BBQ PULLED PORK

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (whatever your favorite is)

  • Stir together the paprika, cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder.
  • Rub seasonings all over the pork and chill several hours or overnight.

 

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • In a large dutch oven heat avocado oil over medium-high heat.
  • Brown pork 3 minutes per side until seared well.
  • Add BBQ sauce.
  • Cover and roast 5 hours undisturbed.**
  • Shred pork with 2 forks and mix well with the sauce.

NOTE: This recipe can also be made in slow cooker 4 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW.

PORTUGUESE PIRI PIRI CHICKEN – marinades for 24 hours – plan ahead

I’d been making a version of this chicken for years – I never knew it had a name 😀 After trying this version I adapted it to a mix of Karina’s and my recipes that is now my preferred method!

PORTUGUESE PIRI PIRI CHICKEN adapted from Karina at CafeDelites

MARINADE
1/2 cup avocado oil
1/3 cup BBQ sauce** (see below)
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon onion powder
Juice of FRESH LARGE lemon
2-4 teaspoons PIRI PIRI sauce or sriracha
1 teaspoon creamy horseradish
2 teaspoons FRESH ground salt
FRESH Cracked black pepper , to taste

  • Mix all of the marinade ingredients (except for the Piri Piri or Sriracha) together until well combined.
  • Mix in 2 teaspoons of Piri-Piri or Sriracha. Taste test, and work up from there until reaching your desired level of heat.
  • Using 3/4 of the marinade, coat the chicken evenly on the outside, as well as under the skin where possible (the breast especially), until fully coated in sauce.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night if time allows, but no less than 2 hours. The longer you leave it, the better the flavor.

CHICKEN
3 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • When ready to cook, arrange oven shelf to the middle of the oven, and preheat to 400°.
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter top for 20 minutes to take the chill out of the chicken.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in an oven proof pan or well seasoned skillet over medium heat. When pan is hot, place the chicken, skin side down into the pan, and sear for a good 5-6 minutes, until the skin becomes golden browned. Flip and sear on the other side for 5 minutes more.
  • Add 1 more tablespoon of avocado oil to the remaining marinade, and pour half of it over the chicken. Use a basting brush to coat evenly.
  • Place the chicken in the preheated oven, and cook for 30 minutes, or until cooked through and juices run clear.
  • Once the chicken is done, baste with the pan drippings and serve with any remaining marinade to use as a dipping sauce.

NOTES**:

  • The BBQ sauce you use will make a HUGE difference in the flavor. I wouldn’t use an overly sweet one and prefer to make my own.
  • You can leave the sriracha out all together if you don’t want any heat at all.

BBQ SAUCE
2 cups ketchup
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 packed tablespoons light brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • In a large saucepan combine all the ingredients, stirring to blend.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for an hour, stirring frequently.

BBQ APRICOT PINEAPPLE CHICKEN

BBQ APRICOT PINEAPPLE  CHICKEN adapted from Carrie at Northwoods Scrapbook

BBQ SAUCE
Avocado oil
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (1 small onion)
1 tablespoon minced Fresno chile, seeds removed (1 chile)
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
13 ounce jar apricot-pineapple jam
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (1 large orange)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup jalapeño ketchup
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the onions and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add the chile and garlic; cook an additional 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the jam; cooking until the jam melts, 3 to 4 minutes more.
  • Add the orange juice and cider vinegar, bring to a simmer.
  • Add the ketchup, honey and Worcestershire.
  • Adjust the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth.
  • Add salt to taste.
  • Remove 1 cup for basting the chicken; reserve the rest for serving.

CHICKEN
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon each FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
16 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Avocado oil
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  • Pat dry chicken breasts.
  • Coat chicken breasts on both sides with avocado oil.
  • Generously sprinkle both sides with seasoning mix.
  • Place the chicken thighs on two foil-lined baking sheets.
  • Bake until the chicken is cooked through, 35 minutes.
  • Turn the oven to broil.
  • Generously baste the chicken pieces with BBQ sauce and broil until the sauce has caramelized and chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove to a platter, let rest for 5 minutes
  • Sprinkle the chicken with parsley.
  • Serve with the reserved BBQ sauce.

GREEK GAZPACHO PASTA SALAD

Gazpacho is Spanish in tradition, but with the addition of the Feta cheese I feel like it is more of a Greek and Spanish fusion. Hubby loves the Mediterranean flavors while I pass on it every time, but it’s a GREAT recipe for a BBQ or picnic.

GREEK GAZPACHO PASTA SALAD
1 pound rotini, prepared al dente and rinsed in cold water and drained

SAUCE
14 1/2 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
1/4 cup FRESH basil leaves
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup avocado oil (or olive if you prefer)

  • Process tomatoes, basil, garlic, red pepper flakes and red wine vinegar with a pinch of salt until smooth.
  • Drizzle with avocado oil and gently fold in.

VEGGIES
1 cucumber, halved, seeded, and chopped
1 red pepper, halved, seeded, and chopped
1 yellow pepper, halved, seeded, and chopped
1 small red onion, small diced
3/4 pound grape tomatoes, halved

ASSEMBLY

  • In a large mixing bowl gently toss veggies together.
  • Drizzle with sauce mixture and fold again.
  • Cover and let marinade for 15-30 minutes.

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup (or more) pitted black olives, sliced
3 green onions sliced thin
FRESH minced parsley for garnish

  • JUST before serving fold in olives, cheese and green onions.
  • Season to taste.
  • Garnish with parsley.

SWEET SOY PORK CHOPS, CURRANT SCALLION RICE & BACON SHALLOT SNAP PEAS

SWEET SOY PORK CHOPS, CURRANT SCALLION RICE and BACON SHALLOT SUGAR SNAP PEAS

MARINADE
2 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sriracha
4 boneless center cut pork loin chops

  • Whisk together the liquid aminos, vinegar and sriracha.
  • Place pork chops in a large Ziploc bag.
  • Pour marinade into bag.
  • Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly.
  • Turn chops to coat well with marinade.
  • Marinade at room temperature for 30 minutes, turning bag half way through.

 

  • Heat grill to medium heat.
  • Prepare glaze while grill is heating.
  • Remove chops from bag and discard marinade.
  • Generously season pork chops with salt and pepper.
  • Brush each side with glaze.
  • Grill about 6 minutes per side.
  • Brush with additional glaze and serve immediately.

GLAZE
2 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder

  • Whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl.

RICE
1 cup long grain rice
1 cup water
1 cup chicken consomme
1 small bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/3 cup currants

  • Combine water and consommé in sauce pan.
  • Add rice, stirring to coat.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or so until tender and moisture is completely absorbed.
  • Fold in currants and green onions.

SNAP PEAS
4 slices thick bacon, diced and cooked crisp
1 large shallot, sliced thin
1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
1/4 cup chicken consomme
FRESH ground salt and pepper
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon bacon grease

  • Heat bacon grease over medium high heat.
  • Add shallots and cook 3-5 minutes until browned.
  • Add snap peas, consommé and season with salt and pepper.
  • Saute’ covered 2-4 minutes until crisp tender.
  • Uncover and continue sautéing until all liquid has been absorbed.
  • Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice and bacon pieces.

TROPICAL BBQ MEATBALLS

Seems like lately I have needed to make a bunch of appetizers for one event after another. Meatballs are one of my favorite dishes to make and can be prepared bite size AND in large batches without sauce and frozen for the future.

TROPICAL BBQ MEATBALLS makes 3 dozen 1 inch meatballs

1 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup finely minced Vidalia onion
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons half and half
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3/4 pound lean ground beef
3/4 pound ground pork
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease a wire rack and set inside a jelly roll pan.
  • Combine the oats, half the onion, half and half, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, chili powder and paprika in a large bowl.
  • Crumble the beef over the oats mixture and using your hands, mix well, but with minimal mixing.
  • Roll into 1 inch balls and place on wire rack.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
  • Remove rack from pan.
  • Wipe pan dry of any grease.
  • Add meatballs back to pan.

1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup apricot pineapple preserves
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 tablespoons honey

  • Combine the ketchup, preserves, brown sugar, liquid smoke and remaining onion in a small saucepan.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce heat, add honey and simmer 10-15 minutes until thickened.

 

  • Drizzle sauce over meatballs and turn to coat.
  • Return pan to oven and bake another 15 minutes.
  • Arrange on a platter and serve.

HAWAIIAN HASSELBACK CHICKEN

I’m working on a Italian Pizza, Buffalo Chicken and Mexican Taco version too!
HAWAIIAN HASSELBACK CHICKEN adapted from The Painted Apron
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs**
3-4 ounces thinly sliced tavern ham from the deli
1 LARGE can crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved **
1-2 cups King’s Hawaiian ORIGINAL BBQ sauce

  • PREHEAT oven to 375°.
  • Spray baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Slice thighs grid like, cutting about 2/3 way down DO NOT CUT ALL THE WAY
  • Tuck a piece of tavern ham in between cut areas.
  • Arrange chicken pieces close together, but not cramped together.
  • In a small bowl fold together the BBQ sauce and pineapple pieces.
  • Spoon pineapple mixture over chicken. Use additional BBQ sauce as necessary to make sure chicken is completely coated.
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes until cooked through, basting with pan juices 1/2 way through baking time.

NOTES:**

  • Breasts work too, but require less cooking time. DO NOT OVERCOOK or they will be dry!
  • I also  throw in a small can of drained pineapple chunks just because hubby likes them and it adds a bit of texture to the dish.
  • You can prep this dish in the morning to cook when you get home from work. It refrigerates well to be baked later.

Linking to  DISHING IT & DIGGING IT at Rustic & Refined, SUNDAY’S BEST at Mother 2 Mother, SUNDAYS AT HOME at Celebrating Everyday Life and My Soulful Home, CELEBRATE YOUR STORY at Celebrate & Decorate,
COOKING & CRAFTING with J&J AT Julie’s Creative Lifestyle, MAKE IT PRETTY MONDAY at The Dedicated House, MELT IN YOUR MOUTH MONDAY at Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, MERRY MONDAY at Where The Smiles Have Been and Our Crafty Mom, MIX IT UP MONDAY at Flour Me With Love, SHOW and SHARE at Coastal Charm, LOU LOU GIRLS FABULOUS PARTY at Lou Lou Girls, TAKE OUT TUESDAY at The Painted Apron, TREASURE BOX TUESDAY at Memories by the Mile, TUESDAYS WITH A TWIST at Stone Cottage Adventures, DELICIOUS DISHES at Walking On Sunshine, SHARE YOUR CUP @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, FAVORITE THINGS at Katherine’s Corner, FULL PLATE THURSDAY at Miz Helen’s Cottage, BLOGGERS PIT STOP at The Blogger’s Lifestyle, HOME MATTERS at Life with Lorelai, KITCHEN FUN & CRAFTY FRIDAY at Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons, PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY at Coffee with Us 3, SHARE IT ONE MORE TIME at Everyday Home, SWAY SHAREFEST at The Sway Life

CONEY ISLAND TATERS

I’ve been making a recipe similar to this for years, but recently found a name for them on a package of ground beef from my grocer. It’s a cute name and really fits the recipe – it’s so country fair or carnival like! If you have left over Sloppy Joes they substitute well for the ground meat mixture also to make a quick weeknight meal.

CONEY ISLAND TATERS
1 pound ground beef (I use ground chuck)
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped small
1 cup favorite BBQ sauce
2 large Russet potatoes (BAKED)
FRESH ground salt and pepper
1/2-3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (to taste)
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup bacon pieces
1/2 cup sour cream

  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Use non-stick if you have it, but if using cast iron oil it slightly before adding ground meat.
  • When pan is hot add ground beef and onion, sauteing 8-10 minutes all the while breaking meat into small crumble sized pieces.
  • Pour off excess grease. I actually pour it into a stainless steel colander over a paper towel lined paper plate so it can drain REALLY well. I can also use the spatula to break the meat apart even more into that small crumble.
  • Add BBQ sauce, mix well, cover and simmer on ow 10 minutes.
  • Starting lengthwise slice potatoes into quarters and theft each quarter ion half.
  • Arrange 4 pieces of potato on each plate.
  • Generously salt and pepper potatoes.
  • Top with a spoonful of beef mixture.
  • Top beef with shredded cheese, bacon pieces, green onions and sour cream to taste.

GRILLED PORK CHOPS & RASPBERRY BBQ SAUCE

When I went to the grocery store February 25, 2010 I ran across some awesome meat deals and these pork chops were perfect for a new BBQ sauce I wanted to try. Dave over at My Year on the Grill has been raving about a raspberry chipotle sauce that I can’t get here either, but left me craving raspberries and at $4.99 a small box that craving was going to go unsatisfied until I ran across this raspberry vinegar at $3.99 a bottle – a much better deal and it made an awesome sauce. So this recipe was developed on February 26, 2010, but is so worth the rerun!

GRILLED PORK CHOPS & RASPBERRY BBQ SAUCE
6 tablespoons Alessi raspberry blush vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons grandma’s molasses
1 teaspoon Frank’s Red Hot Pepper Sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 thin pork chops
skewers

  • Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes.
  • Whisk all the ingredients (except pork chops) together until well blended over a medium heat.
  • Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened and reduced to 1/2 cup.
  • Skewer each pork chop with 2 skewers (this helps them lay flat).
  • Generously salt and pepper each side.
  • Bring your grill to temperature.
  • Brush each side with sauce.
  • Spray grill surface with PURE.
  • Place chops on grill, grilling uncovered for 2-3 minutes total, turning once.

 

hubby approved

Linking to FULL PLATE THURSDAY at Miz Helen’s Cottage.

TIMBERMILL BBQ BAKED BEANS

TIMBERMILL BBQ BAKED BEANS
1 small-medium Vidalia Onion, chopped small
2-15 ounce cans navy beans OR 3 1/2 cups FRESH cooked navy beans
1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce + 1/4 cup for “float”
+/-1/4 cup water or bean cooking water if you made them fresh
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 slices bacon, diced

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Whisk together the BBQ sauce, water (just enough to give you a wet consistency), brown sugar and molasses until sugar is completely dissolved.
  • Add in Worcestershire sauce.
  • Fold in beans and onions.
  • Bake 45 minutes.
  • Fold in bacon pieces, spread 1/4 cup BBQ sauce over top as a “float” and bake another 15 minutes.
  • Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

NOTE: Is also good made a day or two ahead so flavors meld well.

ALOHA BBQ PORK RIBS – revisited

I originally wrote this back in 2015 and it is still our FAVORITE recipe for ribs. I made them again recently and wanted to update that I used orange marmalade instead of the apricot pineapple jam and hubby thinks they are even better.

“We had the most amazing dinner tonight if I do say so myself.  I was missing a few ingredients for my normal BBQ sauce so made a few substitutions and we have a new “NORMAL” in this family. I added fresh pineapple slices topped with some of the BBQ sauce during the last 30 minutes of bake time and they were so juicy, tender and flavorful. We added a fresh steamed artichoke and there were NO leftovers!  I will use the rest of the sauce on chicken later in the week.”

ALOHA BBQ PORK RIBS
2-4 pounds baby back pork ribs
Fresh ground salt and black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Bring ribs to room temperature.
  • Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
  • Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Line a large cookie sheet with heavy duty foil.
  • Arrange ribs bone side up and cover with the foil.
  • Bake for 2 hours undisturbed.
  • Uncover, add pineapple slices and top with sauce and bake another 30 or minutes until the meat pulls away from the bone easily.

SAUCE
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup Smucker’s apricot pineapple jam (orange marmalade works well too)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
3/4 cup Tabasco Jalapeno ketchup
Fresh ground salt and black pepper

  •  In a large sauce pan whisk together all the ingredients and bring to a SLOW boil, stirring frequently.
  • Reduce heat to as low as possible and simmer while the ribs bake. Sauce will thicken during this simmering so stir frequently.