Grilled Duck is decadent with a hazelnut crust, and then topped with an elegant and light red wine sauce. It’s the perfect pairing for a Chinon (Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley of France) and a cozy fall evening. This post was sponsored by Loire Valley Wines and Honest Cooking. As always all opinions, statements,…
Bourbon Brined Smoked Turkey — Ultimate Thanksgiving Turkey
We’re finally sharing the secrets to the Ultimate Smoked Turkey for your Thanksgiving Dinner. This smoked turkey is jam packed with mega flavor, from a bourbon citrus brine, to an herbed butter, to a dry rub, This is the juiciest and most flavorful turkey that will have your guests going back for seconds… and maybe…
Morning Routine and Brewing Better Coffee with OXO Brew Line
How to get started brewing a better cup of coffee, and three great tools to help you make a perfect cup. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of OXO. I’m going to be fully honest about something here. It took me a long time to start to appreciate coffee the same…
Italian Rosé (Rosato) Year Round
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Italian Trade Commission for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine. Just because summer is gone that doesn’t mean we have to stop drinking one of my favorite styles of wine. Find out what rosé you should be drinking year-round! Rosé has caught on…
Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider
Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider is an incredibly delicious and oh-so-autumn treat. It can also be served cold for a refreshing treat! It takes me awhile to finally get into the fall spirit. While most people are getting exciting about their pumpkin spice lattes in August, I’m soaking up every last minute of summer I…
Smoked Sausage and Hatch Chile Beer Cheese Dip
Smoked Sausage + Smoked Hatch Chile Peppers + Beer + Cheese = The greatest thing to happen to cheesy beer-infused dips since cheddar. Smoked Sausage and Hatch Chile Beer Cheese Dip! My husband has a thing for cheese. He can’t resist buying a few fancy cheeses whenever he goes to the supermarket, and he’s a…
Smoked Lamb Chops (Lollipops) Recipe – Vindulge
These Smoked Lamb Chops are smoked then grilled hot and fast and cut into an individual lollipop portion for an elegant appetizer or serve two for an entrée. Don’t be intimidated by lamb. These are easy and absolutely delicious and one of the most flavorful cuts of Lamb. When smoked, it really balances out the…
How to make the Ultimate Mimosa Bar (or Bellini)
No matter what time of year it is, mimosas are always a great idea! Whether for a wedding or baby shower, celebration, or heck, even Sunday football, your brunch needs a mimosa! And we’re here to show you how to create a Mimosa Bar along with some fun ways to jazz up the average orange…
The Best Italian Red Wines to Pair with a Great Steak
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Italian Trade Commission for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine. Ever wonder what to pair with a great steak other than Cabernet Sauvignon? I’ve listed some of my favorites, and you might be surprised. When it comes to pairing wine with a great…
Grilled Blackberry Crostata (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
An easy recipe for a blackberry (or mixed summer fruit) crostata that you can cook directly on the grill! And since our kids are now gluten free and dairy free we’ve taken our favorite summer grilled dessert, Grilled Blackberry Crostata, and made it GF and DF friendly! One of the first things we cooked up…
Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad (recipe and video)
A simple and delicious grilled romaine Caesar salad elevated with some smoky crispy pancetta (or bacon), grilled lemon, and grilled baguette slices to sub for croutons. This grilled romaine Caesar salad is the perfect side dish for your grilled meats or backyard BBQ and you’re gonna love it! I’m a huge fan of grilled salads….
Competition Style Smoked Pork Ribs – A Flavor Journey
What you need to know about Competition Style Pork Ribs, and an explanation of the “3-2-1 Method” of smoking ribs. Find a full video tutorial for these ribs below. Sean and I came from two different worlds of Smoked Ribs. I used to like them finger-licking juicy, fall-off-the-bone tender and drowning in sauce. He liked…
15 Awesome Summer Wines
I like to review wines the way most people taste them, with food. Many of the wine reviews you’ll see on this site are accompanied by a recipe. When we test recipes we usually open a few different wines of various styles that we think will work, then write about the best pairing. But often…
Easy Classic Ceviche Recipe (with white-fleshed fish)
This easy and classic ceviche is made with rockfish (or other white fish like tilapia or bass) and is perfect for a sweltering summer day when it’s too darn hot to cook. This classic ceviche recipe is also perfect for parties, appetizers, or a light meal at home. You don’t see many recipes here prepared…
Smoked Pork Ribs with Asian Spice Rub
Inspired by Asian flavors, these Smoked Pork Ribs with Asain Spice Rub and Sauce are absolutely incredible! (This post was originally published in August 2015, and edited in 2018) Barbecue can be a very subjective experience, especially if your lens for barbecue style foods is heavily influenced by one of the BBQ classical regions like…
Sparkling Wines of Italy — The wide variety you should know about
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Italian Trade Commission for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. There’s a wide world of quality sparkling wine beyond Prosecco produced in Italy. If you’ve read much of this blog you’ll know that I am quite passionate about sparkling wine, and if not, now…
Grilled Chicken with Cherry Chipotle BBQ Glaze
This Grilled Chicken is seasoned, then grilled to perfection, and glazed towards the end with a delicious sweet and spicy super simple Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce. Cherry Season has never been so delicious with this cherry chipotle bbq sauce. Cherry Season is in full swing here in Oregon, and they’re everywhere! We simply can’t get…
How to Smoke a Whole Chicken on a Pellet Grill (Recipe)
A step by step guide to smoking a whole roaster chicken on a pellet grill/smoker. Smoked Whole Chicken is one of the most common things we cook on our smokers, and you’ll see just how easy it is to do on your smoker or grill. Our collection of grills and smokers are like our kids,…
Dry Brined Smoked Chicken with a Carolina Glaze
This Dry Brined Smoked Chicken is slowly smoked then finished with a Carolina style BBQ sauce glaze. If you’re looking for your next favorite chicken recipe then you’ve gotta try this! I don’t know about you, but I feel like chicken never gets enough barbecue love. At least that’s what life is like around here…
Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe – How to plus Tips and Tricks
What we’ve learned about how to smoke a brisket, plus our recipe for Smoked Beef Brisket. At the end of the day, smoking a perfect brisket is not about a recipe or a step by step tutorial, it’s a process you can only learn by practicing. Cooking brisket is complicated. It’s like a long-term relationship….
Cold Lentil Salad with Smoked Sausage – Great for Picnic or Side Dish
This refreshing Cold Lentil Salad with Smoked Sausage is perfect for summer picnics or side dish to bring for a cookout or summer BBQ. It’s served cold and full of incredible fresh flavors. And speaking of picnics, we’ve also got some great tips for you to enjoy an elegant yet stress free picnic this summer!…
Smoked Pork Tenderloin Sandwich – And Beaujolais Wines Perfect for a Picnic
Jazz up your summer picnic with a Smoked Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. They pair fantastic with a glass of refreshing Beaujolais. This post was sponsored by Discover Beaujolais and Honest Cooking. As always all opinions, statements, and recipes are my own. Pin for later As much as we’re all about grilling and backyard barbecues around these…
Grilled Flank Steak Salad
A simple and delicious recipe for Grilled Flank Steak marinated in a savory soy and rosemary mix. Perfect for a hearty Grilled Flank Steak Salad, or filling for a sandwich. You’ve gotta try this incredible and full flavored steak! Pin for later We’ve been dusting off some old favorite recipes lately and giving them new…
Sugar Free Smoked Pork Ribs (Keto and Paleo Friendly)
Smoked pork ribs with zero added sugar? Why yes it can be done! These ribs are made with a savory and sweet dry rub that has zero added sugar, as well as an incredible BBQ sauce that is naturally sweetened. While we love our sweet sauces and pork rubs around here, we’re also getting more…
