Grilled BBQ Pizza

Grilled BBQ Pizza

When most people think of October, they think of football, apples, cooler temperatures, fall foliage (New England), Halloween, comfort food, shorter days and more football.  When I think of October, I immediately think of “National Pizza Month”.

“Anyone in the business of serving pizza probably does not need to be reminded that October is National Pizza Month here in the United States. While the contribution of the first pizzerias in this country cannot be ignored, it was really the returning American soldiers who fought in Italy during World War II that brought a hunger for pizza home with them and pushed its popularity over the top. America’s love of pizza continued to grow and now October is the official National Pizza Month across most of North America.

First observed in the United States during 1984 (although many people incorrectly claim it was 1987), October was designated as National Pizza Month by Gerry Durnell, the founder of Pizza Today magazine, who chose that month because the first issue of his magazine debuted in October of that year. Durnell was a pizzeria owner in the small town of Santa Claus, Indiana when he realized there were no periodicals or tradeshow publications to support his growing pizza business or the industry in general. Creation of a national pizza-oriented magazine along with the introduction of a national pizza month served his purposes perfectly and solved the problem.

Today, National Pizza Month is observed each October across the USA and in much of Canada too. The designation might be a bit redundant in this country though, as nearly every month could be considered Pizza Month in the United States these days. People don’t really need a special month for pizza in a country where there are an estimated 63,000 pizzerias and 94% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month. The figures equal the consumption of about 45 slices of pizza per person in the U.S. each year and show that Americans definitely love their pizza as evidenced by devouring 100 acres of pizza per day, or 350 slices per second.”
– See more at: pizza.com

One of my favorite kind of pizza to create is Barbecue Pizza.  You can use either chicken or pork, and it is always great cooked outside on a grill, or on a preheated pizza stone in the oven, click on the link below for the recipe and grilling technique.

BBQ Pizza

I also thought I would share some of my favorite pizza photos with you.  I hope these photos encourage you to create your own pizza at home, once you do, it might be a while before you ever purchase pizza out again.

National Pizza Month

National Pizza Month

Bon Appetito!

Happy National Pizza Month – October


Happy 4th of July!  And what a great time of the year to share with friends and family over some yummy ribs, salads, watermelon, and whatever else you like on this wonderful holiday.  My son, Rob, is our families official rib cooker, but since his relocation to Colorado I’ve had to try and come up with my own recipe/style of cooking ribs.  I hope you enjoy them, remember, low and slow…..

The rub:

2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion The Rubpowder
2 teaspoons Weber® Smokey Mesquite Seasoning
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Smoked Paprika
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Cayenne Pepper
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Pasilla Chili Powder
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Chipotle Chili Powder
½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt

Rinse ribs and remove the membrane from the rack of ribs using a paper towel.

Remove the Membrane

 

Sprinkle ribs with rub.

Sprinkle ribs with rub

Wrap ribs in foil and place in refrigerator overnight, if possible, or at least for 60 minutes.

Prepare the grill:
Preheat your grill to 225°, try and maintain this heat throughout the entire cooking process. Place a smoke box (filled with soaked chips) directly over the coals.

Remove ribs from foil and place on grill, but not directly over the coals.* Smoke ribs for 2-3 hours for baby back ribs and 3-4 hours for Saint Louis style ribs. Remove ribs from grill and wrap in foil (this will prevent ribs from drying out). Continue smoking the ribs (adding additional wood chips as needed) until the ribs are done (check doneness by bending the ribs, if they bend easy, they are ready, if not, go grab a beer and come back later).

Memphis BBQ Ribs

Bon Appetito!

Memphis Style BBQ Ribs

1 Rack Ribs, Baby Back

Rub:
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons Weber® Smokey Mesquite Seasoning
1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Smoked Paprika
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Cayenne Pepper
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Pasilla Chili Powder
½ teaspoon Spice Islands® Chipotle Chili Powder
½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt

Ribs:
Rinse ribs and remove the membrane from the rack of ribs using a paper towel.
Combine rub and sprinkle on both sides of ribs.
Wrap ribs in foil and place in refrigerator overnight, if possible, or at least for 60 minutes.

Prepare the grill:
Preheat your grill to 225°, try and maintain this heat throughout the entire cooking process. Place a smoke box (filled with soaked chips) directly over the coals.

Remove ribs from foil and place on grill, but not directly over the coals.* Smoke ribs for 2-3 hours for baby back ribs and 3-4 hours for Saint Louis style ribs. Remove ribs from grill and wrap in foil (this will prevent ribs from drying out). Continue smoking the ribs (adding additional wood chips as needed) until the ribs are done (check doneness by bending the ribs, if they bend easy, they are ready, if not, go grab a beer and come back later).

Brush your favorite sauce on top of ribs, cook an additional 2-3 minutes and remove ribs from grill.

*Great website with lots of information regarding ribs…
http://amazingribs.com/recipes/porknography/best_BBQ_ribs_ever.html

Memphis Style BBQ Ribs


Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is the third largest cookout events in the United States.  Tradition dictates that food cooked on a open flame is synonymous with summer holidays and as Labor Day is the last holiday of the summer, it had better be good!  If planning a backyard cookout then this is the right place. It’s important to take advantage of Labor Day celebrations to mix up some summer time drinks, pop open some Beer, light up the grill or smoker, and have a great cookout with your friends and family!

Here are some delicious recipes for your Labor Day Cookout!

The number one most popular food cooked on Labor Day is Barbecue Ribs

Memphis Style BBQ Ribs

Labor Day is also known for the end of “hot dog season“…

Perfect Grilled Hot Dog

Perfect Grilled Hot Dog

Some of my favorite salads include Asian Slaw, and Orzo Pasta Salad, or Black Beans, Rice & Avocado Salad

Orzo Pasta Salad with Weber® Just Add Juice® Citrus Herb Marinade

Orzo Pasta Salad with Weber® Just Add Juice® Citrus Herb Marinade

A cookout is never complete without Watermelon

Grab and Go Watermelon

Grab and Go Watermelon

or a wonderful Blueberry Cheesecake

Blueberry Cheesecake

Blueberry Cheesecake

And of course you will need the best Margarita

The Best Margarita

The Best Margarita

I hope you all enjoy this Labor Day Weekend as you celebrate with your family and friends!

Boun Appetito!!!