PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps

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One of the things we always look forward to when we eat out at PF Changs are their chicken lettuce wraps. So savory, tangy, and fresh. Another favorite pastime of ours is trying to recreate restaurant-quality (or better) dishes at home!

This is our tenth or so attempt at perfecting PF Chang’s lettuce wraps at home, and they really do just keep getting better and better.

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Bahn Mi Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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We make pulled pork about once or twice a month. Usually smoke a big fatty pork butt or shoulder. Unless we’re having a backyard patio party, we have a few pounds leftover. Sometimes we vacuum seal and freeze the leftovers for a weeknight delight. Getting “porked out” usually isn’t a problem around our house. But when you have a day old heap of pulled pork sitting in your fridge, what to do with it?

We like to make Bahn Mi Pulled Pork Sandwiches! Here’s how…

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Traeger Grill Thanksgiving Turkey Review

REVIEW: Traeger Turkey Pellets Blend

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If you’re entrusted with cooking the bird on Thanksgiving, you’re probably looking for a risk-free, no-fuss tried and true recipe. Have a reoccurring nightmare about dry turkey, or sweet dreams about crispy, herb-crusted turkey legs?

If you’re on a wood pellet grill, this Traeger Turkey Pellets Blend might be for you:

We did a 20-pound test bird this weekend, and were cooking for 16 people. It was your typical friends-giving feast (with no less than 4 other Traeger-owners coming, NO PRESSURE!).

Again, we were looking for an easy, but proven, method and recipe. After skimming a dozen articles on spatchcocking, brining, injecting, rubbing, etc — we said: “Meh, nothing exotic.”

That’s when we turned to the wisdom of the Traeger Grills family. We had two bags delivered from a Traeger Instagram contest (“BBQ Hero of the Week”) over the summer.

The results were nothing short of amazing. “Best turkey I’ve ever had,” raved one friend. “OMG, moist, zesty, and great smoke flavor,” commented another. “Got to try that for our family Thanksgiving now, ” said one of our Traeger brethren.

Now, most everything that comes off the Traeger at our house is good. But that’s “most” not all. Not ashamed to admit we have a few hiccups every now and again. So these were pretty strong endorsements. What’s the secret? We followed Traeger’s included Smoked Bourbon & Orange Brined Turkey recipe to a T. Here are the basics (minus the booze):

Brine overnight (bag comes inside the pellets bag, fish it out!)

Pat dry, apply rub (again, included in the bag)

Put turkey directly on the grate (we put in a disposable roasting pan)

Set Traeger to smoke for 2 hours (for us, 180F)

Turn up to 350F for 2-3 hours (or until internal temp reaches 165F)

WHERE TO BUY?

You can pick up the Traeger Turkey Pellets Blend at your local dealer, or order from Amazon. If you HURRY, you select one-day or two-day shipping for Prime members, to still get in time for Thanksgiving.

Watch our mid-cook Facebook LIVE video from TraegerFanatics.com for some laughs:

Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links.

VIDEO: How to make Tacos Al Pastor on the Pit Barrel Cooker

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If you’re a regular Rendezvous’er, you know we LOVE Tacos Al Pastor. While surfing some BBQ groups on Facebook, we came across TheHollarBBQ.

Here’s their host, Kevin Griffith, on one of our all-time favorites:

Looking to take your Tacos Al Pastor to the next level? If you’re using a traditional BBQ or grill with grates, we recommend the Super Skewer (a/k/a/ Brazilian Gaucho Skewer).

If you like this video, check out others on our blog (we’ll be adding many more soon!), and subscribe to TheHollarBBQ.

Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links. Learn more.

Smoked Ribs on Gas Grill

HOW TO: Smoke Ribs on a Gas Grill

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At the in-laws, and no wood pellet grill. Had to improvise!

Luckily, you can turn any gas grill into a smoker, by using a pellet tube or smoke box:

A-Maze-n 12in-18in Expandable Tube Smoker (also available on eBay)

Stainless Steel Smoker Box by CaveTools.com (also available on eBay)

With a smoker tube or box, simply fill with your favorite pellets or chips, and then light one end with a propane torch or lighter. Let pellets or chips burn until smoke is firmly established, and they begin to glow. Then blow out the fire, and let the smoke roll.

If going chips route, check out Char-Broil Simple Smoke (Hickory, Apple, or Cherry). With chips, you may want to add water to them in a bowl first, and let them soak/expand, before adding to smoke box.

Now for the rib instructions:

  1. Remove silver skin on the back of the ribs

  2. Rub ribs generously with mustard

  3. Add your favorite rub liberally to both sides of the ribs

  4. Cover in saran wrap, put back in refrigerator for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Once you are ready to cook, on a four burner gas grill, start half of the burners on one side. Set to low. Put your smoker tube above one of the hot grates. Close lid, and let temperature climb to 225F. Adjust burner accordingly to get it to keep at that temp.

  1. Remove ribs from refrigerator and un-wrap.

  2. Add ribs to the cold side of the grill, bone-side down.

  3. Close lid, and let smoke build.

  4. Every hour, for two (2) hours, open grill and re-arrange ribs.

  5. At two hour mark, cover ribs in foil, adding a 1/2 cup of apple juice, and leave on for another (1) hour.

  6. Check ribs at 3 hour mark for tenderness and temp. They should be fall-off the bone, with meat receding from bone by at least a 1/4 inch.

  7. Once cooked to optimal tenderness, remove from foil and add sauce (turning every 5 minutes) for wet ribs, or remove and let rest for 15 minutes.

Cooking on charcoal? Check on this Classic Baby Back Ribs recipe from Weber, using a similar technique.

That’s about it. Now you’re ready to try ribs on a gas grill!