BBQ Is Exploding
Hey friends,
If you haven’t noticed, the art of BBQ is exploding everywhere you look. The Food Network, Discovery, Travel Channel, Style Channel, etc, are all hosting tons of BBQ themed shows and competitions. You can’t open a summer outdoors magazine without the writers touting the virtues of good TRUE old fashioned BBQ.
So why has it taken so long to become mainstream? I think there’s a few factors involved personally.
1. People are tired of packaged dinners from so called “Family Restaurants”. Your Applebees, Chili’s, TGIFridays and the like all claim to have these great new menu items that are only available at their establishments. I’m sorry, but a “Riblet” is not my idea of BBQ. It’s a cop out. They slice the ribs down so thin that they can’t help but be tender when you eat them. And then literally drowning them in sauce? Ick, what the hell are you trying to hide under all the goop?
As a side note, Burger King is now offering “Ribs” flame broiled no less. Need I say more? I’ll be back after I grab some Maalox if you don’t mind.
2. People want to get back in their own yards. In today’s high paced, nonstop world, the only chance you have to really even attempt relaxing is in your own backyard. Maybe you want to enjoy the fruits of all your labors and just chill out. Maybe while you’re at it you want to craft some top notch grub. Either way, you want some “you” time.
3. This one I find to be a driving force. MEN are taking over the grills, it’s almost like saying that Men are hairy. It’s guaranteed. We like cooking around open flames, we like MEAT hot off the grills and smokers, and if we can put something together that tastes better than any of our friends, family or neighbors, WE WIN! It’s our competitive nature. And honestly, who’s ever torn their ACL grilling up some chicken? It may be the only competitive competition left for those of us too old for real sports and who simply can’t stand golf.
No matter what your reason for getting into BBQ is, you need to know how to do it right. There’s grilling some meat and eating it, and then there’s BBQ. BBQ is NOT just some Kraft Sauce you pick up in the ketchup aisle at the store, it’s a cooking method, an art, and to many, a religion. With so many options available to you, you can create something that’s truly unique amongst your friends and family.
I hate to be long winded about such things, but just like good BBQ, it takes a while to make it right. You can’t have it NOW, you have to wait, watch, listen, and learn.
If you want to test the BBQ waters, read my next article. It’s all about chicken, the whole chicken and nothing but the chicken. It’s a great method and meat for ANY level griller, and it will truly be the BEST tasting BBQ Chicken you’ve ever laid tastebuds on.