Lillie’s Q Hot Smoky Barbeque Sauce

Lillie's Q Hot Smoky Barbeque SauceLillie’s Q Hot Smoky Barbeque Sauce, a Memphis-style barbeque sauce, is sweet up front but finishes with plenty of heat. It has hints of brown sugar and a dash of smoke—the perfect complement for your slow-cooked ribs.

Each Lillie’s Q sauce pays homage to a specific Southern region. Read more…

Ground Bison

Ground BisonYou may have noticed the new freezer in our meat department. Its purpose is to house the products that are a little bit off the beaten path. In you will find things for the more adventurous palates. There is duck, rabbit, crawfish, squab, and perhaps the most versatile option of all, ground bison.

For the meat lovers out there who are looking for a healthier alternative to beef but still want all of the flavor, bison is the perfect choice. Bison meat has a similar texture and flavor to beef but has about one third the amount of total fat as well as saturated fat. It is also higher in protein, omega-3 acids, and iron.

The methods used to raise bison are also better for the environment and more sustainable than raising beef. Most bison are raised using regenerative agriculture—which basically means they are allowed to move and exist in much the same ways they have over the centuries. Because of this, bison help sustain grassland ecosystems through grazing, fertilization, trampling, and other natural behavior.

This method also allows for the regeneration of healthy, productive soils and grasslands. And because of that, it is a major source of carbon sequestration. The impact of climate change on native grasslands means that regenerative pastures are becoming more and more important as sustainable carbon sinks. Studies show that grassland carbon capture is more dependable than forests, as grasslands suffer fewer wildfires and disease, and regenerate far quicker.

Bison can be prepared in basically the same ways as with beef however, because it is leaner, you have to watch out that it is not over cooked. Ground bison can be substituted for all of your favorite ground beef recipes like burgers, tacos, meatballs, or chili and would be a great alternative for your summer BBQ.

Bison Chili Recipe
Yields 6 to 8 servings
Adapted from Ree Drummond and The Food Network

Ground bison makes a delicious chili. This recipe has all the depth of flavor of a classic chili recipe. It is delicious served with tortilla chips (as per the recipe) or cornbread and butter on the side. Be certain to serve the chili with the lime wedges to squeeze over your bowl and brighten the flavor. Read more…

Smokey Blackberry Barbecue Sauce

Smokey Blackberry Barbecue SauceVery Berry BBQ
I have a reservation this weekend to go berry picking—and I am very excited. There is a chance that the berries: a.) won’t be ripe or b.) might be all gone by the time I get there.
I’m keeping a positive attitude while crossing my fingers.

U-pick is one of my favorite things about this time of year. It starts with berries and cherries and moves into peaches and nectarines. I look forward to this every year starting January first. Since I didn’t get to go last year for obvious reasons, the anticipation has been killin’ me. But, I know this time it will be that much sweeter. (See what I did there?)

The last u-pick haul I had was 10 pounds of blackberries. This sounds like a lot, but once you cook ‘em down for jam and make a pie, there’s not much left over. If the stars align, I am planning to get at least that much again and maybe a bit more. Because I really want to make this sauce for Memorial Day.

I love the combination of sweet fruits and pork and there is no better showcase than pork ribs. My Cherry Cola Ribs are a family favorite. And, they are a perfect example of what I am talking about. Juicy tender ribs covered in a spicy sweet glaze. It just doesn’t get much better. (Unless there’s cake or pie…all bets are off at that point!)

I have tried other rib sauces and glazes that had raspberry or blackberry in them and I have always loved the combination. So, I am going to set aside some of this weekends blackberry harvest and cook up some of this spicy berry awesomeness.

Smokey Blackberry Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Yields enough sauce for about 4 pounds of pork spare ribs plus extra
Adapted from Food & Wine

We are using this sauce on pork spareribs, and it is also delicious on grilled pork, baby back ribs, and chicken. The smoky flavor comes from the grilled berries and also the chipotle chiles packed in adobo. Read more…

Herradura Tequila

Herradura TequilaHerradura crafts and estates some of the finest tequilas in the world.
Born in 1870, Casa Herradura, located at Hacienda San Jose del Refugio, is the last tequila-producing Hacienda on the planet. It is here that they invented the first reposado and extra añejo, forever changing the world Read more…