Competiton BBQ - Taking the first step

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dragonzim

Active Member
I am taking the first step into the world of competitive BBQ this weekend. I buddy of mine and myself are competing in an event at one of the local firehouses. Its a rib only competition and we will be going up against about 12 other teams. We are going to have to cook up 24 racks of ribs in the morning and be ready to start serving them to the public at 1PM. At 2PM we have to turn in 3 ribs to the judges. They are doing it as both a judged competition and a "people's choice." The contest is set up as a fundraiser for the fire company, so they are going to be selling tickets to the public for $1 each. 1 ticket gets you 1 rib from any of the teams and for every 5 tickets you buy, you get 1 voting ticket to give to your favorite team.
Anyone local, this is being put on by the Hicksville FD and the event will be held in the parking lot of the Hicksville train station. There will be a car show, live music and food and craft vendors in addition to the rib competition.
Wish me luck!
 
slice

slice

Active Member
GO DZ! GO DZ! GO DZ!
Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Pics would be nice too...
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
Hey when I think Long Island New York I think BBQ LOL!
Thats cool though. I watch that pit masters show where they compete. It's pretty interesting how each region seems to have it's own taste for BBQ.
Good Luck
 
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dragonzim

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/387899/competiton-bbq-taking-the-first-step#post_3416727
Hey when I think Long Island New York I think BBQ LOL!
Thats cool though. I watch that pit masters show where they compete. It's pretty interesting how each region seems to have it's own taste for BBQ.
Good Luck
Yeah, we're not exactly known for BBQ around here, but we do have some decent places. So far I've only found 1 place that makes ribs better than what I make at home though.
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
The secret to winning those competitions is to be different enough to stand out but not to the point where people are saying WTH?
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonZim http:///t/387899/competiton-bbq-taking-the-first-step#post_3416851
That's why we're gonna be using one of my root beer based BBQ sauces. Tastes great and just different enough to stand out.
Rootbeer.... That sounds like a winner. Not only does is seem good from a taste point of view it sounds good. I mean what sounds better than rootbeer and BBQ,
Care to share the recipe or would you have to shoot us first LOL~
 
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dragonzim

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/387899/competiton-bbq-taking-the-first-step#post_3416856
Rootbeer.... That sounds like a winner. Not only does is seem good from a taste point of view it sounds good. I mean what sounds better than rootbeer and BBQ,
Care to share the recipe or would you have to shoot us first LOL~
You're in luck! I dont usually keep track of what I actually put in my sauces but since this one was for the competition I wrote down what I was using since I had made a couple of sauces and picked the best one. This was for approximately a gallon of sauce and the amount on the spices is subjective. You can use as much or as little as you want.
8 cups root beer ( I used A&W)
8 cups ketchup
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup white vinegar (would normally use cider vinegar but I ran out)
2 tbs garlic powder
2 tbs onion powder
2 tbs kosher salt
1 tbs ginger powder
1 tbs black pepper
Combine everything in a pot, bring to boil then lower heat and simmer for a few hours.
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonZim http:///t/387899/competiton-bbq-taking-the-first-step#post_3417056
8 cups root beer ( I used A&W)
8 cups ketchup
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup white vinegar (would normally use cider vinegar but I ran out)
2 tbs garlic powder
2 tbs onion powder
2 tbs kosher salt
1 tbs ginger powder
1 tbs black pepper
Combine everything in a pot, bring to boil then lower heat and simmer for a few hours.
This is very close to my recipe. I've always gotten rave reviews and requests for the formula, which I usually decline.
I used to think my sauce was somewhat unique until I saw an Emeril recipe that was nearly the same.
The biggest difference is I use fresh minced garlic and onion.
SIMMER is the operative word, I've seen many folks build a beautiful sauce, then boil the life out of it. I would say to bring it to a near boil.
I originally did not use ginger, but a friend of mine had me over for BBQ with a sauce that I found nearly orgasmic. I could have eaten it like a soup...which I kinda did when he wasn't watching. When I asked about it, he laughed and said "It's YOUR sauce with pickled ginger added!" I never looked back.
I like your use of honey, brown sugar and lemon juice. Balanced out, that makes a complex background. I think I need to strongly consider adding a bit of lemon juice to my basic recipe, thanks.
Beyond that, I like a bit of "attitude"...ground dried cayenne or similar, but I imagine one does not to wish the judge's larynx to be so burned out they can't say "Dragon Zim Wins!"
I've never tried root beer (tried day-old coffee though)...I wonder how ground chipotle would bounce against the root beer...hmmm
Good Luck Bro!!
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///t/387899/competiton-bbq-taking-the-first-step#post_3417311
This is very close to my recipe. I've always gotten rave reviews and requests for the formula, which I usually decline.
I used to think my sauce was somewhat unique until I saw an Emeril recipe that was nearly the same.
The biggest difference is I use fresh minced garlic and onion.
SIMMER is the operative word, I've seen many folks build a beautiful sauce, then boil the life out of it. I would say to bring it to a near boil.
I originally did not use ginger, but a friend of mine had me over for BBQ with a sauce that I found nearly orgasmic. I could have eaten it like a soup...which I kinda did when he wasn't watching. When I asked about it, he laughed and said "It's YOUR sauce with pickled ginger added!" I never looked back.
I like your use of honey, brown sugar and lemon juice. Balanced out, that makes a complex background. I think I need to strongly consider adding a bit of lemon juice to my basic recipe, thanks.
Beyond that, I like a bit of "attitude"...ground dried cayenne or similar, but I imagine one does not to wish the judge's larynx to be so burned out they can't say "Dragon Zim Wins!"
I've never tried root beer (tried day-old coffee though)...I wonder how ground chipotle would bounce against the root beer...hmmm
Good Luck Bro!!
I would normally add a bit more heat if it was just for me and my buds but since we want to please the largest range of people possible I left it a bit on the sweet side. Never tried coffee in my bbq sauce, but I do use a cup of coffee in my chili. Now THAT is something to die for!
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonZim http:///t/387899/competiton-bbq-taking-the-first-step#post_3417331
I would normally add a bit more heat if it was just for me and my buds but since we want to please the largest range of people possible I left it a bit on the sweet side. Never tried coffee in my bbq sauce, but I do use a cup of coffee in my chili. Now THAT is something to die for!
I'm jazzed over your chances. Bring it home!
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Kicked ass!!!! We took first place in the competition! Took home a nice, huge, shiny trophy AND a $350 Weber Smokey Mountain smoker!
 
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