2013 Sam's Club BBQ Tour - Knoxville, TN stop

The Sam's Club BBQ Tour rolled into Knoxville this weekend.

The Event 

The Sam's Club BBQ Tour is tournament style set up of KCBS BBQ competitions across the country and boasting half a million dollars in prize money.  750 BBQ teams compete in regional events, hoping to move on to the regional semi-finals and ultimately, the national championships in Bentonville, AR.

BBQ Brisket Sloppy Joes

After the Rocky Top BBQ Cook Off last weekend, the Big Bob Gibson Team had to high tail it back to Decatur, AL.  They had almost the full flat from their Snake River Farms waygu brisket leftover and couldn't take it with them.  Hoss asked if I wanted it.

Did I want it?   Damn he's funny!

After enjoying it for a few days and there was only a pound and a half left, I wanted to try something different.  After toying with a few ideas, I thought I would make a brisket sloppy joe.

Click the link below for the full recipe

Orange-Chipotle Chicken Breasts

When you hear "grilled chicken breasts" you normally probably think of the typical boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts can deliver a juicier and tastier meat but you just can't go about it the same way.  It takes a little lower heat, a bit more time, and a watchful eye.

This recipe uses a few techniques and a tasty orange-chipotle sauce to create a spicy grilled chicken breast that just drips with flavor.

Orange-Chipotle Chicken Breasts

from 100 Grilling Recipes You Can't Live Without

Reprinted with permission from Bill and Cheryl Jamison

Rocky Top BBQ Cook-Off Results

This past weekend was the first Rocky Top BBQ Cook-Off in Knoxville. Alexis and I spent our time with two teams, Bent Elbow BBQ and Big Bob Gibson's Barbecue.

Chris Lilly with Big Bob Gibson's First Place Ribs.

I have a full post coming up about that experience (sorry, no competitive secrets to be released) but I wanted to get out a quick post out about this upstart BBQ competition.

Dry Brined Beer Can Chicken

I have talked about brining poultry and pork but one thing I haven't written about much is dry brining.

Dry brining is just what it says, brining without liquid. The salt in the rub induces the pores of the meat to open up and draws out liquid that mixes with the seasonings of the rub. After a while, the seasonings and liquid are pulled back into the meat. With dry brining, you need to give it the full length of recommended time, don't short change it. Otherwise the moisture might not be reabsorbed and the meat can be dry.

I recently experimented with dry brining using a recipe for Dry Brined Beer Can Chicken from the 2013 Southern Living book All Fired Up.

reprinted with permission from All Fired Up by Troy Black and Southern Living, Oxmoor House 2013

It took 24 hours to brine the two birds but the wait was worth it.  (click the link below for recipe)

Announcements

A lot is going on in Knoxville over the next few weeks.  Here's the skinny.

Rocky Top Hummin' and Strummin' BBQ Cook-off 
THIS WEEKEND May 2-4

More than 45 smoking hot BBQ teams collide to fight for the Tennessee State BBQ Championship at this KCBS event. The Big Bob Gibson's team, winners of multiple World Championships, will be competing.  In addition to the BBQ competition, there will be bands, BBQ vendors, and a Peoples Choice category.  The event is on the grounds at the Episcopal School of Knoxville.  They are charging admission but all proceeds go to benefit the Rotary Club of West Knoxville.  Come on down, check it out, and support a good cause. [Click for details]

Sam's Club National BBQ Tour

Next weekend, May 11

The Sam's Club event rolls into Knoxville at the 8435 Walbrook Drive location at Gallaher View.

KCBS and Sam's Club® are back with the nationwide quest for BBQ's National Champion with the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour. Major bragging rights and $500,000 are up for grabs in this one-of-a-kind competition series!

Twenty-five local events and five Regional finals will take place at various Sam's Club locations across the country. What will start as 750 teams will end at Sam's Club Headquarters in Bentonville with one National Champion.

Come out to see the event and meet grill master, competitive chef, and author Troy Black.  [Click for details]

Pic from last year's party on the dock.

Fourth Annual East Tennessee Blogger Party

Sunday, May 26


We have had a blast at Larry and Beverly's lakefront vista the past 3 years and this year's theme is Hawaiian Luau-ish. 

Date:  Sunday, May 26, 2013 Rain or Shine
Time:  Noon until whenever everyone leaves.  We will eat around 1:30 PM
Who:  Anyone who is willing to make the trip is welcome and of course, bring your significant other!
Where:  Larry's place on Tellico Lake which is about 35 miles southwest of Knoxville, TN.
Dress:  Island if you can.

We will be serving Hawaiian, Island fare.  We will be asking for a small donation (approximately $10 per person) to cover the cost of the meat.  We won't know exactly how the donation will be until we have a final attendance count.

We will provide tea and soft drinks and island concoctions but please feel free to BYOB.

RSVP: To Larry at grandpop1@yahoo.com by May 5, 2013.

Veggie Sub Burger

Want to elevate your backyard burger to the next level this summer?  Here's an idea that hit me at lunch yesterday.

Take your favorite sub sandwich ingredients and use that to dress your burger!    I can't think of too many subs that wouldn't make a great burger topping.