A Smoked Spatchcocked Turkey is a game changer for the holidays or any special occasion. Spatchcocking a turkey (removing the backbone and flattening it) allows it to cook faster, and also more evenly versus a traditional whole bird. And smoking a turkey adds amazing flavor that cannot be replicated in the oven. Learn the steps…
Food and Drink
Chenin Blanc Wine Guide
Brimming with floral notes, herbaceous aromas, and mellow fruit flavors, Chenin Blanc has a well-earned reputation as an elegant white wine that pairs well with a variety of foods. This grape, which traces its origins to the Loire Valley in France, usually makes dry wines, but some vintners use create off-dry and sweet wines (even…
Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Pork Belly Burnt Ends are super tender, full of flavor, and so easy to make. A delicious twist on classic brisket burnt ends, we smoke then braise our pork belly bites until they are tender and sweet. These morsels of goodness have developed the nickname “meat candy” for good reason. We’ve got the full recipe AND…
Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Guide
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely-planted wine grape on Earth, and can be found on six out of seven continents. Known for its power, full body, and dark fruit flavors, find out what makes this the most popular red wine on the planet. When we think about popular “crowdpleaser” wines, it’s tough…
Carne Asada Skirt Steak Tacos and Marinade
Carne Asada Skirt Steak Tacos made with marinated skirt steak, then grilled hot and fast and sliced thin for the ultimate Taco Night meal. A friend of mine recently showed me a recipe for Carne Asada she made for her husband’s birthday dinner. She expressed her disappointment because of the recipe and wondered why. She followed…
Grenache Wine Guide
A grape that thrives in warm, dry conditions, Grenache plays a major role in wine production in southern Europe, particularly in Spain (where it is known as Garnacha), the south of France, and some regions of Italy. Great on its own, but also as a blending grape where it is responsible for some of the…
25 Great Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
A cast iron skillet is one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen. It easily goes from stove top to grill to campfire, and offers excellent heat distribution. Here are 25 of our favorite cast iron skillet recipes. Benefits of Cast Iron If you’ve received your Grandma’s old cast iron skillet, or bought a…
Easy Smoked Pulled Pork – Step by Step Guide
There is no better dish to serve off the smoker than tender and properly smoked pulled pork. But sometimes you want to keep it simple. This recipe outlines the easiest way is to smoke a pork butt, by simply seasoning the pork shoulder and then placing on a smoker until it’s done. But to go…
Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) Wine Guide
Pinot Gris (also called Pinot Grigio) is a white wine grape variety with origins in France, and is a mutation of Pinot Noir. Known for its citrus and tree fruit flavors, sometimes richness and spicy flavors, and bright acidity, this is one of the most popular white wines in the country. Find out what makes…
Our Favorite Chili Recipes + 6 more!
A pot of chili is the perfect stick-to-your-ribs dinner for a cozy fall or winter evening. Make our Ground Beef Chili recipe to serve on hotdogs at a tailgate. Or try our Easy Chicken Chili to win your next cook-off! Here are 16 of our favorite chili recipes. What is Chili? Any chili (or chili…
Grilled Steak with Roasted Poblano and Corn Salsa
Grilled Steak on its own is amazing, but sometimes adding a unique topping can take it over the top, like Roasted Poblano Peppers. This Poblano and Corn Salsa is just the thing. The rich, sweet, fire roasted flavor will make your next steak dinner a memorable one. This dish is not spicy, but we have…
40 Easy Fall Recipes for the Grill and Smoker
Cool fall weather has us thinking about hearty stews and cozy warm drinks. Plus, with school and work back in full swing, we all need some easy fall dinner recipes in our back pocket. These 40 fall dinner recipes have delicious smoky flavor from being cooked over the grill or smoker, and will have you…
Our Best Weeknight Meals for Back-to-School
Back-to-school: the bittersweet time where schedules and structure reign supreme once more. Whether you have a regular rhythm of Meatball Monday, Taco Tuesday, Pizza Friday, or you’re more of the wing it at the last minute type, these quick weeknight meals are straightforward and easy to adapt to whatever you have in the fridge. Do…
Syrah Wine Guide
A dark-skinned red grape that can thrive in a wide range of climates, Syrah (also known as Shiraz) famously produces bold and rich wines with medium or full bodies, plenty of dark berry flavors, and an undercurrent of spice, that makes these bottles excellent pairing options for roasted, grilled, and braised meats and vegetables. Find…
Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Smoked Blackberry Bourbon Sauce
This Smoked Pork Tenderloin recipe is fantastic and easy to make with a rich and flavorful Blackberry Bourbon Sauce drizzled over the top. Follow these easy steps for one of the juiciest tenderloins ever. And check out this grilled pork tenderloin recipe if you are looking for a hot and fast recipe. Pork tenderloin was…
Grilled Cheesesteak Sandwich
When it comes to a Cheesesteak Sandwich, you can’t help but think of the Philly style with a soft roll, cheese wiz, and Beef. But for this recipe, we’re adding our own Northwest twist using tender thinly sliced grilled Sirloin, a from-scratch cheddar cheese sauce, mixed grilled veggies, and a soft and toasted roll. This…
The Best Grilled Chicken Recipes
Don’t be afraid of undercooking or drying out chicken on the grill. Instead, try these 28 grilled chicken recipes for expertly flavored and perfectly cooked grilled chicken every time. Chicken is the most consumed meat in the United States. But it’s far from boring! We like to think of chicken as a blank canvas–perfect for…
Sausage and Queso Bean Dip
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Serious Bean Co. All opinions are 100% mine. A jazzed up Queso Bean Dip featuring ground sausage, green chilies, smoky chipotle pinto beans, and real shredded cheese. Smoky Chipotle Bean and Sausage Queso dip is a fantastic dip for summer cookouts, game day, tailgating, or…
All Purpose Seasoning
A simple guide on making your own All Purpose Seasoning. Have you ever wondered about the mysteries of making your own homemade dry rub? We’ve got a simple formula for making a great homemade all purpose seasoning (rub) that’s great on barbecued pork and chicken. An all purpose seasoning is meant to provide flavor to…
Rhubarb Simple Syrup for Cocktails
Rhubarb Simple Syrup is a fruity flavored liquid sweetener you can add to your favorite summertime drink or cocktail to add a punch of tartness and a beautiful pink hue. You can also use this simple syrup in sweet tea, on top of ice cream, pancakes, or in an afternoon aperitif. Use this syrup to…
Rhubarb Lemon Fizz – A Rhubarb Cocktail
Rhubarb Lemon Fizz is a fun, festive, and refreshing summer cocktail containing 4 simple ingredients (and can also be made alcohol-free). Living in the Pacific Northwest we are surrounded by fresh berries and produce throughout the summer season. A few years ago a neighbor handed me a full bag of rhubarb from her garden. Not…
Pellet Grill Whole Chicken Roast
Chicken is one of the most popular cuts of meat for live-fire cooking and this recipe will show you how to roast a whole chicken right in your pellet grill. This pellet grill whole chicken is easy to prepare, full of flavor, and a great one to use as meal prep for the rest of…
Ahi Tuna Ceviche and Wines to Pair
Ahi Tuna Ceviche is perfect for summer nights or a simple party appetizer! This quick and easy recipe for classic ceviche made with Ahi Tuna will easily become your go-to ceviche recipe! So good! Sometimes I just want to make something that requires no heating up a grill, no starting a fire, no ovens, no…
Port Marinated Beef Flanken Ribs on the Grill
If you’ve found yourself some Flanken Ribs, this recipe is calling your name. Slowly marinated with Port wine, and then finished over a hot grill, these Beef Flanken Short Ribs will melt in your mouth and taste tender and delicious. Sometimes, when we are checking out the local butcher counter, we’ll see these beautiful thin…