Grilling Issue // Smoke

This month we present a crate that celebrates the society of the smoker, the brotherhood of barbecue, the far-flung family of food and fire. Light up, and dig in.

Sweet Smoky Tangy Barbecue Sauce // Bourbon Barrel Foods // Louisville, KY

A pioneer of all things bourbon barrel aged, infused and smoked, founder Matt Jamie started with Blue Grass Soy Sauce (the only microbrewed soy sauce made in the United States) and has expanded to a mini-empire that includes everything from spices to sorghum syrup. We love this barbecue sauce because it layers in many of BBF's signature Bourbon Smoked and aged items like Barrel Aged Worcestershire Sauce to Smoked Pepper.

From The Maker:

"Seasoned with Bourbon Smoked Salt, Pepper, Paprika and Bourbon Barrel Aged Worcestershire Sauce, our Barbecue Sauce is packed with tons of flavor. This all-natural sauce is sweetened with pure cane Kentucky sorghum, adding a distinct sweet and tangy flavor. Pair this sauce with everything from burgers to chicken to pork!"

Fast 5 Uses:

Brush On Grilled Corn
Douse Over Nachos
Pulled Chicken/Pork Sandwich
Dipping Sauce for anything from Yam Fries to Pizza (Also replacing tomato sauce on pizza).
Slather On A Grilled Cheese

Recipes:

Bourbon Barrel Barbecued Chicken Legs

Bourbon Barbecue Yakitori With Togarashi Spice

Barbecued Steelhead Lettuce Wraps

Bourbon Barbecue Yakitori With Togarashi Spice Recipe Here

Barbecued Steelhead Lettuce Wraps With Bourbon Smoked Togarashi Pickles Recipe Here

Bourbon Smoked Togarashi // Bourbon Barrel Foods // Louisville, KY

In the global spice power rankings, people talk about India's Garam Masala or Middle Eastern Za'atar but Togarashi deserves to be up there with the big names. Hailing from Japan, traditionally the mixture includes the likes of orange peel and sesame seeds but Matt at BBF gives it a southern spin..

From The Maker:

"A traditional Japanese seven spice blend with an added “bourbon barrel” twist! We begin with a foundation of Bourbon Smoked Pepper and add Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds along with nori, mustard and poppy seeds to create an exotic flavor experience with a hint of subtle smokiness! Bourbon Smoked Togarashi is delicious on all meats, seafood, and vegetables. Check out our “Recipes” tab to try some of our favorite and creative ways to use this peppery blend, including our beloved Togarashi Caramel Corn!"

Fast 5 Uses:

Togarashi Dusted Popcorn
Togarashi Chicken Yakitori Skewers
Togarashi Fries
Togarashi On Fish (Like Tuna or Snapper)
Add To Avacados (Like Guacamole or Toast)

Recipes:

Smoky Mac & Cheese With Chipotle, Togarashi & Bacon

Togarashi Roasted Almonds

Grilled Togarashi Skirt Steak

Hott Smoke // NW Elixirs // Portland, OR

A good bottle of hot sauce is like an old friend, always there when you need it and ok passing along the credit. Portland Chef Andrew Garret makes some of the best sauce in America and his Hott Smoke hits food with chipotle backbone, smokey garlic and onions and enough natural sweetness to elevate anything coming off a grill.

Smoky Chipotle Chili Dogs Recipe Here

From The Maker:

"This is the be all chipotle based sauce. With its smoked onions, garlic, and ancho chilies this sauce is like a condensed BBQ sauce without the refined sugars, gums and extracts. As you cook with this sauce it just gets better. We recommend this sauce with everything. It’s perfect for grilling chicken, pork, steak, shrimp, vegan meat substitutes, and roasting meats."

5 Fast Uses:

Chipotle Mayo
Grilled Thick Cut Chipotle Bacon
Chipotle Caramelized Onions
Chipotle Butter For Steaks
Kick Up A Bloody Mary

Recipes:

Spicy Lamb Ribblets

Summertime Beef Burgers

NW Elixirs Grilled Salmon

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

Maple Buffalo Bacon // Savage Jerky Co. // Buford, GA

When it comes to road eats, while a rare few gas stations are diamonds in the oil, so to speak (think great hole in the wall taco stands like Fuel City in Dallas or De Amigos in Pescadero), most, of course, are food deserts. Stomach rumbling, gas tank low, a fluorescent oasis beckons — while the car drinks its fill, you muse over hypnotic slushie machines and mystery tubs of no-name jerky. Their road trip grumbles unsated, the Georgia buddies behind Savage decided to make their own. Their Maple Buffalo Bacon, good enough to gnaw as is, but save a slice for your end-of-the-road drink, to replace your bloody mary’s celery stalk with a touch of smoky swagger.

Grilled Cabbage Wedge Salad With Bacon & Smoky Yogurt Dressing Recipe Here

Smoked Butterscotch Caramels // Shotwell Candy Co. // Memphis, TN

Named after the company founder’s great-grandpa Shot, who kept his general store’s candy barrels brimming with caramels for sugar-toothed local kids, and perfected after months of simmering and stirring dozens of test batches in tarnished brass pots, these caramels are handmade the old fashioned way— right down to the classic butterscotch flavors and a pinch of alder wood smoked salt for a slight campfire smoked finish.

Shotwell Caramels + Bacon Jerky + Ice Cream

Shotwell Caramel Cookies Recipe Here

Smoky Salami // Rustix // Norwalk, IA

Protein snack sticks from the premier producer of American charcuterie! Semi-dry, lightly-cured, and made from pork raised humanely without antibiotics. Rustix are perfect for on-the-go snacking and loaded with high quality energy, with 12 grams of protein and 0 grams sugar per serving. Whether hiking, biking, or running around town, these snacks are a hungry human’s best friend.

"BBQ" Bloody Mary Recipe Here

From The Maker:

Rustix were born out of our desire to create a delicious snack from high quality humanely raised pork, as well as a commitment to minimizing food waste. We use meat from the pork shank, a lean cut at the end of the ham that does not lend itself to traditional long curing. Salami sticks were the perfect solution for making use of this under-utilized protein rich cut and we spent months perfecting the spicing and unique curing process. We’re really proud of the result!"