Get Your Grill On

When you become addicted to the BBQ you tend to do a couple of things. First you talk to as many individuals as you can who are either successful in cooking BBQ or who consistently win in contests, and begin picking there brain hoping to find that one secret of success that would make you a big winner.

Second, you find information in books written by the experts to help give the knowledge you wish to obtain within the written pages. With all the different styles and regions of the country that barbecue comes from there is no shortage of quality publications covering what ever style you enjoy the most.

And finally you search the internet hoping to find that knowledge on a website, blog or downloadable file. In most cases it’s the later that has brought you to “Get Your Grill On” looking for the valuable insight from the contributing authors here on our site.
This year I wanted more books on my favorite subject barbeque. But my request was a little narrow in scope since I wanted barbecue books that were related to the style of barbecue I enjoy the most, “Texas Style Barbecue”

Because of this, I would like to share a review with you of a book I feel has a unique feel and great recipes for both the beginner and the seasoned pro.
The name of the book is “Legends of Texas Barbecue Cook Book- Recipes and Recollections from The Pit Bosses”. The book is written by Robb Walsh, a two time winner of the James Beard Award, food critic and contributing author to numerous newspapers and magazines covering the subject of Texas food.

What catches your eye first with this book is the cover. It has the look and feel of a book that possibly your dad, uncle or grandfather had tucked away with the pages dog eared so you could easily find that one recipe or technique that you prize the most.
When you begin to examine this book you are drawn to the pictures of some of the first Pitt Masters, events and culture of the true pioneers of barbecue. In my opinion, any barbecue enthusiasts would treasure this book simply because of these pictures alone.
I began reading this book a few days after receiving it and finished it within a day and half! I found the information within its covers to be truly valuable, and even found myself having one of those “Eureka” moments.
The recipes within its pages will give you ideas and suggestions for your next out door adventure. One of the meats we cook the most of around my home seem to be chicken.
What I love most about this book is that it reads like a book. In my opinion anyone can collect recipes and organize them to form a cook book. But the individual that can put the recipe together with some background information, history or tale that makes it appeal to the reader, to me makes the book unique.

One of the recipe’s I have enjoyed preparing is found on page 64, “Marvin Lange’s Barbecued Chicken”. What I like most about this recipe is the use of Wishbone Italian Dressing as a marinade. It’s hard to argue that this isn’t a barbecue tip to try when it’s reported that Marvin Lang has won ten trophies for his barbecued chicken!