Archive for August, 2009
Many barbeque amateurs simply smother their meat in bottled BBQ sauce and throw it on the grill. This is tasty, sure, but it can get old after a while. The barbeque pros – those who win national BBQ competitions and pride themselves on their secret recipes – use dry rubs to enhance the flavor of their meat. A dry rub is a mixture of ground spices that is rubbed on raw meat or fish to form a coating before it is cooked.
Common ingredients in a BBQ dry rub include black pepper, sugar, salt and paprika. Garlic, onion, tomato and other herbs can also add a complex, smoky flavor to the meat. You can freshly make your own dry rub, or use a prepackaged organic dry rub for equally great flavor. No matter what, your family and friends will be blown away at your next barbeque when they taste food that is so much better than just being drenched in BBQ sauce!
It has been my honor and my joy to be a monk seal watch volunteer. At least one day a week I get to spend the day at the beach, relaxing and enjoying the activities of these critically endangered moms and pups.
I take my favorite tea with me to drink throughout the day. I sweeten it with a small amount of Hibiscus sugar. It adds just an extra touch of tangy, citrus flavor to my green tea.
To ensure the best flavor for your favorite meat and seafood dishes, you should always use organic spices and rubs. You’ll always know that you’re adding pure, natural flavor, not harmful preservatives or chemicals. To keep your organic spices fresh and flavorful, you should always close the packages or replace the lids right after use. Make sure there is no air trapped in sealed packages. Do not add spices directly from the package over a steaming pot; the steam can suck out the flavor and aroma and cause the spices in the package to cake.
To determine if your spices are still fresh, you should examine their appearance, smell and taste. Over time, spices may lose their flavor and potency. Make sure they have not lost their vibrant color. If they have, it indicates that they are old and have lost flavor. If you crush the spices in your hand, they should have an intense aroma. If you taste them, the flavor should be apparent. If they have a weak aroma or flavor, its time to replace them.