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,…
Red Wines
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…
3 2 1 Ribs – A Comprehensive Guide
Your guide to the 3 2 1 Method of smoking ribs. This fool proof method is perfect for those just starting out and also wanting to master ribs with just a few key techniques. 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…
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…
Smoked Pork Ribs with Asian Spice Rub
Inspired by a variety of Asian flavors, these Smoked Pork Ribs with Asian Spice Rub and Sauce are absolutely incredible! 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 the Carolinas, Memphis, or Texas. That said, the technique…
Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe
Smoked Whole Chicken is absolutely delicious and easy to make. Below we’ll explain how to smoke a whole chicken on a pellet grill or other style smoker for the best chicken you will make. Smoked Whole Chicken is one of the most common things we cook on our smokers, and you’ll see just how easy…
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 Chicken with Ancho Chilies and Prunes
Before you say, “Whaaaaaa the? Prunes and chicken??” Just take a deep breath and trust me. The combination of grill roasted rich prunes and earthy ancho chilies mixed with grilled chicken is a winning combination! So, there’s an awesome group of wine bloggers I’m friends with and we get together (virtually) a couple times a…
Classic All-American Cheeseburger — With a Twist!
How to add another element of great flavor to a Classic All-American Cheeseburger. There’s something fun about an over the top gigantic burger with a million additions, but there’s something comforting about a classic. We’re doing a reverse sear method using a grill and wood chunks to give your burgers incredible smoked flavor and that…
Turkey Burgers with Bacon Paste – Jazzing up Turkey Burgers
How to add incredible flavor to boring turkey burgers. Turkey burgers can tend to come out dry and flavorless. Adding bacon paste to ground turkey adds not only flavor but great moisture lacking in most turkey burgers. I’ll be the first to admit, when I transitioned from a vegetarian back into a meat eater it…
February Wine Favorites
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…
Grilled New York Strip Steak with Coffee Marinade and Rub
Coffee adds great flavor to both a marinade and dry rub for a grilled New York Strip Steak. This recipe for coffee marinated steak is easy enough for a weeknight, but indulgent enough for a special occasion. For years I used to give Sean a hard time for being obsessed with visiting Starbucks on a…
Maple Chipotle Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon
Cedar Plank Salmon is amazing when coated with a sweet and spicy chipotle dry rub, cooked on the grill giving it that smoked influence, and finished with a maple syrup glaze. Sweet, spicy, and absolutely incredible. And if you don’t have a grill you can easily do this in a hot cast iron pan and…
Red Wine Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak
Grilled Skirt Steak is a delicious cut of beef that cooks up quickly and marinates perfectly in our savory red wine marinade. It is great for weeknight meals, or your next Taco Night. Grilled Skirt Steak has to be one of my all time favorite cuts for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Shoot, it…
Winter Reds — January 2018
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…
Smoked Cranberry Meatballs (in a Cranberry Red Wine Sauce)
Smoked meatballs braised in a sweet and savory Cranberry Pinot Noir Red Wine Sauce is one of our all time favorite holiday appetizers. These cranberry meatballs are ALWAY a hit at any party or gathering! The best part is the cranberry wine sauce comes together with 4 simple ingredients! These Smoked Meatballs in Cranberry Pinot…
12 Wines for Fall Sipping
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…
Smoked Pulled Lamb Sliders
Lamb Shoulder is slow smoked to perfection, and then tenderly pulled making incredible smoked pulled lamb sliders. You are familiar with using a pork shoulder, which is usually slowly smoked to perfection and then used to make delectable pulled pork sandwiches. But have you tried the same method with a lamb shoulder, and using that…
The Move, The Barn, New Beginnings
If you’re here for BBQ recipes, you won’t find any today. But I promise you we have some exciting new recipes and videos coming up next week. Today is all about our big move. So if you’re ready to sit down with a cup of joe and see a ton of pictures, continue on… I’ve…
12 Wines to Keep Summer Alive!
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…
Blueberry Bourbon Baby Back Ribs
Blueberry Bourbon Smoked Baby Back Ribs have incredible rich and savory flavors that will wow your guests next time you smoke ribs. This is a fun smoked baby back rib recipe to try if you want to change up from traditional BBQ flavors. Blueberry season has officially arrived in the Pacific Northwest. I friggin love…
Red Wine Marinated Smoked Tri Tip (recipe and video)
An award-winning recipe for Tri Tip Marinade from our very first BBQ competition. Made with tender Tri Tip and smoked slowly to perfection. Serve alone or with a delicious chimichurri sauce. We have learned a lot about smoking tri tip over the years. It has evolved from a rather obscure cut of meat for us,…
Smoked Beef Short Ribs, Red Wine Braised (recipe and video)
Smoked Beef Short Ribs finished with a Red Wine Braise. These are truly the ultimate beef short ribs! Comes with wine pairing recommendations. This recipe has dinner party or holiday meal written all over it! About a year ago we published this recipe for short ribs saying it was a work in progress. We love…
12 Wines for Spring Sipping
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…
