Barbecue Rubs
Meat Meets Sassy
Let's face it, whoever invented the barbecue grill should have been given a medal. A barbecue is so easy to cook on, and it usually allows you to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of nature as you cook outside. Although the barbecue itself can add flavor to your food while cooking it, a well-mixed barbecue rub can also add extra flavor, color and aroma to your barbecue recipes.
There are literally dozens of dried spices and herbs you can use as ingredients for a barbecue dry rub and if you are ready, take a deep breath and I'll list some of them here. You can use any of these ingredients and any others you can think of; cayenne pepper, garlic powder, chili pepper, onion powder, thyme, peppercorns, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, anise seeds, paprika, oregano, cilantro, allspice, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, basil, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, paprika, salt and pepper.
Barbecue rubs are basically ideal for all types of meat and fish, as well as vegetables. You can buy pre-made rubs, or perhaps you prefer the fun and experimentation you can have in coming up with your own concoction. The ingredients you use and the amount you use for your barbecue rubs are entirely up to you. You may want to stick with well-known combinations and recipes, or perhaps invent a new taste sensation.
Just remember that it's always best to rub the meat with an oil such as olive oil before you apply the barbecue rub to your meat. Then rub the spices into the meat and let them penetrate for five to 10 minutes before cooking. Make sure you keep your barbecue rubs stored in a dry, cool area. Therefore, the next time you heat up the grill for some succulent dishes such as ribs, hamburgers, steaks, chicken and fish, don't forget to use a barbecue rub before you start cooking.