Equipment
About 3/4ths of what I cook comes off of the Big Green Egg. It is a smoker, a grill, and a wood fired convection oven. This ancient kamado design coupled with modern high tech ceramics make for an amazing device. I could not be more enthusiastic about a product. The company has world class customer service. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Big Green Egg. It's not cheap, the saying goes, "The Big Green Egg costs more than it should, but it's worth more than it costs". WEBSITE
These preseasoned cast iron grates are available in 18.5" or 22.5" inch sizes, fitting most round grills. UPDATE: They have many more sizes available now, refer to their website for current info. Not only do they offer the benefits of all cast iron grates (even heat distribution and sear marks), the Craycort grates are modular. They offer options for pizza stones, griddles, and chicken thrones. I have used them repeatedly and love their great design, quality, and performance. My favorite set up is using the griddle/grate combo to do steak and seared scallops or fajita steak and veggies.
This grate is a work horse and has stood up to constant use for the past year. I use it for the majority of my cooks. I received my grate system as a gift, but if mine disappeared tomorrow, I'd gladly pay full price for a replacement. I don't receive any revenue or compensation from Craycort other than free product for testing. I'm just a HUGE fan of this product! WEBSITE
GrillGrates
GrillGrates will work on almost any grill and they will make almost anyone a better griller. For the casual griller, they will help you not burn your food and get perfectly cooked product. For the food blogger these things are a food styling secret weapon - PERFECT grill marks. For me, I use them almost every time for burgers and seafood. I use them on both my Eggs and other grills. I received my set free at Kingsford University. WEBSITE
Products
Big Oven Software
My full review can be found here, but this desktop software is cheap, it makes saving recipes from the 'net very easy, and has great features. I've used it since 2004 and if you are considering foodie software, definitely take a look at the free trial version before buying some other product. BigOven also has a free online recipe database and foodie social network. WEBSITE
Billy Bones BBQ Rubs and Sauces
I love their Competition Rub (Green Label), XXX Cherry Rub, and his original BBQ Sauce. Mr. Wall, aka Billy Bones has more BBQ knowledge in his left pinky than I do in my whole body. He is even listed as a 'living legend' in Peace, Love, and Barbecure. But he is one of the most humble, helpful, and laid back people you could ever meet. His spice rubs and bbq sauces are the real deal! WEBSITE
Bush's Beans
When I first moved out from home and called my mother to get her secrets for making her barbecue means. The first thing she told me was to be sure to use Bush's Baked Beans as my base. I have used Bush Beans ever since. Not just their baked beans but all their other product lines, especially their Seasoned Black Beans. Last year they came out with their Grillin' Beans series and I could not have been more impressed. Their Texas Ranchero beans are my absolute favorite. In full disclosure, I am in a partnership with Bush Beans as of 2011. However if you look in my blog prior to 2010, you will see my endorsement of Bush Beans' products has been consistent before ever entering an agreement with them. WEBSITE
Carnivore BBQ Sauces
A long time favorite of Eggheads, I just finally got to try Carnivore BBQ sauces in October 2010. I quickly saw why Carnivore is so renowned with the Eggheads. The texture and bold flavor of the Robust sauce rocks out the flavor without covering up the taste of the meats on which it is used. So far it has worked great on chicken and pork. WEBSITE
Chok' On Dis Blaz'n Glaze
This is a mouth awakening, spicy glaze that I have found to be perfect with pork chops, chicken wings, and pork roasts (so far). I even used it as a steak dipping sauce. I think a quote from my full review says it best, "The result of cooking with Blaz'n Glaze was kind of like riding the elevator at an old-fashioned department store (what us old folks shopped at before Walmart and the internet), with the various floors being smoky, bold, sweet, and a bit of a kick. I loved it." WEBSITE
Dizzy Pig BBQ Rubs and Seasonings
The favorite rub of Big Green Egg users everywhere it is hard to beat the Dizzy Pig line of products for quality, freshness, and variety. They are all natural, gluten free, and MSG-free. My family loves Raging River on salmon. Tsunami Spin is a favorite of mine. The Jamaican Firewalk sets my senses on fire just the right way. WEBSITE
Fire Ant Juice
I've never been particular about my hot sauce. Tobasco sauce, Cholula, whatever was fine. That all changed when I tasted Fire Ant Juice from Tropical Island Gourmet Company. It won first place in the 2010 Scovie awards but more importantly, it won over my taste buds. Why? Because this stuff has TASTE not just heat. I can't go back to just any hot sauce anymore, there is a difference. Their Fire Ant Bite (a green jalapeno sauce) is also incredible, I love it on breakfast burritos. WEBSITE
Kingsford Charcoal
When I first started learning to make barbecue in 2001, the person teaching me to smoke chicken emphasized the importance of using Kingsford "blue bag". I still use Kingsford in my metal cookers and grills but not always "blue bag". I like using Kingsford Hickory (green bag) for my offset smoker and Kingsford Competition for my Weber and Bodum grills. WEBSITE
Note: I only use lump coal in my Big Green Eggs.
Locust Grove Farm's Cheese
A local farm producing the most amazing sheep's milk cheese I've ever had. It's sharp and delicious. The La Mancha manchego cheese and the Cumberland's peppered manchego cheese are so good it is ridiculous. They are flawless by themselves and add rich character to any dish. I have never had a cheese this good. UPDATE: Featured in Southern Living December 2010 WEBSITE
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