Three Simple BBQ-Inspired Christmas Recipes
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With Christmas fast approaching, it can often feel like there’s not enough time to get everything ready for the big day. If you’re tasked with making food for guests or bringing food to your family’s gathering, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few more easy recipes on hand to save you time.
Here are three relatively easy-to-make barbecue-inspired recipes you can cook up this holiday season.
If you're in the mood for Christmas ham, this recipe is for you.
Bourbon Molasses Glazed Ham
Ham doesn’t show up on tons of barbecue menus, but it does show up occasionally and it’s an especially popular meat on Christmas. This recipe from Sweet C’s adds barbecue-like elements to a traditional ham to give it a unique flavor profile. While the recipe takes 3 to 4 hours including cook time, you could also use the glaze mentioned here on a pre-cooked ham as well if you don’t have time for cooking. View the recipe here.
Collard greens are a side that will add some flair to Christmas.
Sautéed Collard Greens and Garlic
One traditional side item you’ll find at many Southern barbecue joints is collard greens. This recipe will help you prepare them in less than 30 minutes. If you want to be more impressive, bring some fresh-cooked bacon crumbles on the side and let people sprinkle that in for extra flavor as they wish. View the recipe here.
Banana pudding is a classic BBQ dessert.
Banana Pudding
I’ve written about banana pudding’s popularity at barbecue joints around the country, so why not try making it at home? This recipe takes just 25 minutes and will satisfy nearly anyone’s sweet tooth. Add cherries on top if you want to make it look extra fancy. View the recipe here.
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I hope everyone who is celebrating has a merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!
Sean Ludwig
Founder, NYC BBQ
EAT ALL ABOUT IT
Here are the top BBQ (and related) food news stories you need to know about this week:
Robert Moss writes that Smoke Shop BBQ in Boston offers a “solid platter of ‘cue.” (Photo via Smoke Shop BBQ / Facebook)
If you’re looking for good barbecue choices in nearby Boston, Southern Living editor Robert Moss has written about a few of the best joints there, including Redbones Barbecue and Smoke Shop BBQ.
Eater NY editor Ryan Sutton included a few tasty barbecue and meat-focused dishes on his list of 18 Best Dishes of 2019. He gives his stamp of approval to the pastrami sandwich at Hometown Bar-B-Que in Industry City, the roasted chicken sandwich at The Fly in Brooklyn, and more.
Lower East Side joint Randall’s Barbecue has revamped their happy hour menu, which includes smoked meat tacos, smoked pork rinds, and chili cheese fries. (On a related note, I recently tried pastrami sandwich and brisket chili at Randall’s, both of which are worth ordering.)
New York-based chain Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque is doing its part to help with sustainability. The company is partnering with SeaStraws to provide customers with compostable straws for “a more eco-friendly dining experience.”
IRL BBQ
Here are the top BBQ (and related) food events coming soon to the New York metro area:
Be sure to check out the Cassoulet Cook Off in Brooklyn on January 25th.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020: Pig Beach in Gowanus will be hosting a fun New Years Day Hangover Party on January 1! They’ll be open at 11 a.m. and offering pastrami, egg, and cheese sandwiches until 1 p.m., plus free waffles for kids 8 & under. They’ll also be a special happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. and football food specials all day.
Saturday, January 18, 2020: The 10th Annual Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival is leaving Manhattan after a decade of fun and heading to Brooklyn. A ticket buys you access to tasting great local barbecue, hot sauces, and tons of spirits. The “Beast Cage” will be back with exotic smoked meats, including alligator, lamb, bison, longhorn rounds, and much more. There will also be whole hog as well and you won’t want to miss it. Buy tickets here.
Saturday, January 25, 2020: The 12th Annual Cassoulet Cook Off will take place on Jan 25 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Cassoulet is the ultimate winter dish, where French traditions meet New England baked beans, Texas BBQ brisket burnt ends and beans, California vegetarian beans casserole, and many other chef driven styles. There will be 10+ chefs and more food than ever, plus craft beer, hard cider, wine, and spirits. Buy tickets here.
January 26 - February 11, 2020: A musical called Das Barbecü will be performed at Hill Country Barbecue Market in Manhattan this January and February. The performance, a reimagining of Wagner’s Ring Cycle that takes place in Texas, is a musical farce about mismatched lovers who meet during a double shotgun wedding. Five actors play more than 30 characters. This will be the first full production to be performed in the lower-level music space of Hill Country Barbecue. BBQ will be served during the production. More info here.
April 18, 2020: Mark your calendars for the Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit 2020 at Pig Beach. Following the successful 2019 version of the event, this will feature many of the top pitmasters from around the country at Pig Beach in Brooklyn. Read about the 2019 Jeff Michner BBQ benefit here and this listing will be updated when tickets are available.
SAY HELLO
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