Cookbooks
I don't know about you, but I'd be lost without my cookbooks. Rarely though, do I follow them word for word. I use them for reference, brainstorming and just general motivation, as well as guidance should I get confused, as often happens.
Here I list some of the better cookbooks I've recently discovered. I also included a quick link to Amazon.com If you want more info.
Featured Book
The Great American Hot Dog Book
By Becky Mercuri
Of course my preferred choice of hot dog is the Chicago dog, but I'm still open to try other styles from around the country. Actually, I'm intrigued by them.
The Great American Hot Dog Book did a great job of satisfying my curiosity of all the regional variations of hot dogs that this great country has to offer.
Becky provides us with history as well as a great insight into the regional recipes of the various hot dogs. Her recipes for side dishes is awesome in that she understands that many hot dog styles require certain accompaniments in order to be certifiably that style of hot dog.
The Great American Hot Dog Book is not just a cookbook, it's also a travel guide and a history book of one of America's favorite icons. A terrific book of Americana culture. Learn More Here!
My Favorite Barbecue and Grilling Cookbooks
Mesa Cookbook
By Bobby Flay
As an fan of traditional style barbecue, I feel somewhat guilty of blasphemy in embracing a cookbook about Tex-Mex barbecue. Yet, in an effort to understand all that is barbecue, the idea of Tex-Mex barbecue intrigued me, especially since I love spicy foods, as well.
With plenty of great recipes for the Tex-Mex fan, the sauces, rubs and glazes open up a whole new dimension to the barbecue spectrum.
A must have reference for any barbecue or grilling library. Expand your horizons as you move your grilling repertoire into another dimension Enjoy one of the margarita recipes while you're at it.
Championship Barbecue
By Paul Kirk
For those of you who don't know Paul Kirk, or the Baron of Barbecue, he's a seven time world champion barbecuer with over 15 years of competition under his belt. This man knows his "Que"!
This is the barbecue bible! I'm currently on my second copy, since the first one is badly beaten up!
I refer to it less and less, which is a testament to his teachings, although it comes in quite handy now and then.
If you want to know everything about barbecue, and I mean everything, this is the go-to manual.
I can't say enough about this book, but to keep things short, I'll sum it up by saying... Get it here!
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Raichlen's Indoor Grilling
By Steven Raichlen
Indoor Grilling!...now that don't make a lick of sense to me, or so I thought.
Yet, when Raichlen reminds us that cooking over fire is still the best way to cook, he also admits that it may not be practical for apartment dwellers or those living in places with frigid winter temperatures, it's then that his concept begins to take hold
After going through the recipes and all of the indoor grilling devices that he explains in detail, even I, the "It's never too cold to grill" guy find myself cheating on my outdoor equipment every now and then. I think you'll be surprised at what you can do indoors that best replicates what is done over the outdoor fire.
Keep the gilling going...Here
Serious Barbecue
By Adam Perry Lang
For a different perspective on traditional barbecue, Lang fights off the purists of slow smoked barbecue and is out to convince us that, "Barbecue does not just mean the slow-cooked, smoke perfumed meats of the South. It also means the charred, juicy direct-grilled meats . . . what I’ll call "Yankee barbecue".
This is a great resource for the backyard griller, with methods of high-heat grilling as well as slow indirect cooking methods.
If great food is all you're after, Lang will take you there. From marinades and sauces to smoking woods, you'll find his ideas a bit refreshing...and tasty.
Champion Barbecue Sauces
By Paul Kirk
Are you really serious about barbecue? Then you need to get serious about sauces. No more baby bottled, store bought sauces!
If the baron of barbecue, Paul Kirk has anything to say about it, you'll be making your own condiments, as well as several of your own sauces.
You'll learn how to make rubs, marinades, and sauces and get an education on how to use them on a championship level.
If you plan on going into competition, or just want to take your backyard cooking skills to the next level, this book is required reading.
Loose the bottle here
Kill It and Grill It
By Ted Nugent
All serious Rock-n-Rollers have known the music of Ted Nugent since...well, let's not go there!
Those in the know, are also aware that Ted's an avid hunter and wildlife conservation freak.
In his cookbook, Ted Nugent shares his favorite recipes for such exotic fare as wild boar, pheasant, buffalo, and venison.
Kill It and Grill It is filled with hunting anecdotes, detailed instructions on cleaning and dressing your game, helpful hints for those new to hunting and cooking wild game, nutritional information and, of course recipes.
You can hunt down this book, here in the Amazon
The Plank Grilling Cookbook
By Dina Guillen
If you're unfamiliar with Plank grilling, it's basically grilling on top of a slab of wood and it's growing fast. The advantage is a smoked flavor without the hassle of messy smokers.
This is the book that got me started with this technique. When time is limited, I can fire up the grill and get that smokey flavor in minutes instead of hours.
The Plank Grilling Cookbook guides you through the procedures, explains the various types of woods used and of course, offers up plenty of recipes.
If you're an avid backyard griller, this book will turn you into a backyard “Grill Master”.
To learn more about plank grilling Click here
Pizza on the Grill
By Elizabeth Karmel
I've smoked everything from brisket to turkey, as well as making a pretty mean pulled pork.
I'm more comfortable at the grill than I am at the stove or oven, yet the thought of cooking a pizza on the grill scared the hell out of me, even tho I could only imagine how tasty it must be.
It was time to sink or swim if there was any hope of enjoying grilled pizza and Pizza on the Grill was my swim coach.
Although the book is focused on grilling pizzas, it does offer the methods needed should you just want to cook them in the oven.
An enjoyable book with a sense of humor that will have you grilling pizza in no time.
If you're ready to take the pizza plunge, dive in here.
Italian Grill
By Mario Batali
As a true barbecue aficionado, it's only normal for me to be inquisitive about how the rest of the globe does it.
It allows me to serve up signature-syle grilling, as well as expand my flavor horizons that eventually spill over into my everyday barbecue and grilling efforts.
Everyone knows Mario Batali. If I'm to explore the world of Italian grilling, who better to learn from?
I like The Italian Grill because it's very simple to follow. There are no hard to find ingredients nor any complicated procedures. Isn't that what grilling's all about, anyway?
If you're ready to take your grilling to a global level, start with Italian. It's as simple as clicking on “buon appetito”
