There’s a Mexican restaurant near our home that we get takeout from nearly every Friday. They’ve been at this location just over a year and the food is perfect! The managers are awesome as well as the entire staff. So why not spread some BBQ love?

As being a regular since the beginning, it also has the little privileges… like the extra large side of their verde salsa.

So in thinking over the past few weeks and how wonderfully they feed and take care of us, it’s my turn to feed them. And being hot off the Smoke on the Mountain BBQ competition, there’s not a better time to bring my Mexican friends an unexpected lunch!

Up Early

I got the smoker ready last night and was up around 4:30 this morning to fire it up to temp and get the smoke rolling. There’s something about the early morning that I love and with the smoke and smell of the spices that makes it all the much better.

Spread Love With the Little Things

I guess the main point to this post is to spread love with even little things. They matter and show appreciation to those who matter in your life. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day a little brighter and show them that you care.

BBQ Love for All

BBQ is a universal love language, and it can bring people together regardless of cultural or ethnic backgrounds. By sharing BBQ (or other foods or experiences) with others, we can spread happiness and create connections through food. So why not extend this love to those who have shown us kindness and hospitality, like our favorite Mexican restaurant staff?

Think of little acts of love today as they will put smiles on faces.

The Evolution of BBQ: A Deep Dive

Did you know that BBQ is not just a style of cooking, but it has a rich history and cultural significance in many countries? From ancient civilizations to modern-day celebrations, BBQ has evolved into a beloved culinary tradition. From the indigenous Caribbean groups, the art of barbecuing spread as people moved and cultures intermingled. Spanish explorers are said to have taken the practice back to Europe, where it slowly garnered popularity. It was the colonization of the Americas, however, that truly solidified BBQ’s place in culinary history.

The United States

In the United States, the method of slow-cooking meat over indirect heat became a tradition particularly in the South. The long cook times at low temperatures were perfect for transforming cheaper cuts of meat into tender, flavorful meals. Each region developed its own distinct style of BBQ based on locally available ingredients, leading to the creation of a variety of sauces and rubs. The tangy tomato- and vinegar-based sauces of North Carolina, the mustard-based sauces of South Carolina, the sweet molasses sauces of Kansas City, and the dry rubs of Texas are just a few examples.

Other Parts of the World

Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, the technique evolved into what we now know as jerk cooking. In this method, meat is marinated in a mix of spices including allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers before being slow-cooked over pimento wood.

In other parts of the world, such as South Africa and Australia, BBQ became a social tradition, with ‘braais’ and ‘barbies’ respectively becoming an integral part of community gatherings and celebrations. From humble beginnings to a global phenomenon, BBQ has truly become a culinary language that speaks of local traditions, communal bonds, and a shared love for well-cooked, flavorful meat.