Today’s post comes to us via a FOBJ (Friend of Barbecue Jew), a rare breed indeed. Bennett Brown of LowCountry Barbecue in Atlanta wrote in to ask if I was willing to run a guest post from him. Far be it from me to refuse a fellow barbecue traveler’s generous offer. So, like God before me, I am resting (though not on the 7th day) and allowing my humble servants to work. Without further ado, here’s Mr. Brown’s introduction to Georgia barbecue along with a simple Georgia-style sauce recipe that shouldn’t look too foreign to devotees of North Carolina’s Lexington-style dip.
Barbecuin’ It in Georgia
As many of you probably already know, barbecue is not just a food but a cooking method that takes place all over the world. And just like the spelling, which is spelled a handful of ways (BBQ, Bar-b-que, barbeque, etc.), barbecue can be prepared a dozen different ways.
In England, barbecuing is done over direct high heat; however, grilling done under a direct heat source is known in America as broiling. In Hong Kong, everyone gathers around the fire and cooks their own meat on long forks or skewers like cooking hotdogs at a campfire. In America, barbecuing is done over an indirect heat source referred to as “low and slow.” And in Georgia, we do it “low and slow” over a pit.
Pit cooking originated from early settlers who then adopted the grilling and smoking methods from Native Americans. The pit can either be dug in the ground or built up with cinder blocks. If cooking a whole hog, it is usually laid flat, butterflied-style on a grate, placed over the pit, and then usually covered with a piece of tin or sheet metal in order to keep heat from escaping.
While the heat can be generated with coals or charcoal, Georgians traditionally use wood. Pecan or apple tree wood are believed to give flavor to the meat. While whole hogs are very popular, whole chickens, ribs and hams are common as well. Closer to the coast, you will find fish, oysters, and shrimp being barbecued as well. No matter what is roasting over the pit, barbecuing is an essential part of many Georgia gatherings including the annual Georgia General Assembly’s whole hog supper before the legislative session begins.
While barbecue is different all over the world, the act of bringing family and friends together to celebrate and converse is the common link. Even in Georgia, the best sides and ways to cook are debated constantly. At the end of the day, an event bringing an intimacy only a few meals can accomplish is commended.
Almost as important as the meat itself – the sauce that accompanies it. Georgia gets its influence of barbecue sauce from all around the region including the Carolinas, Tennessee, and even Texas and melds the best of all of them into a glorious vinegar, ketchup and mustard based sauce, sometimes with a little heat and sometimes with tang from a little lemon slices. As you can tell, Georgians are pretty open when it comes to barbecue sauce as long as we have some!
Below is a recipe that uses most of the classic ingredients you would find in a Georgia vinegar sauce but with a little twist (of lemon that is!):
Vinegar Barbecue Sauce (makes appx 1 ½ gallons of sauce)
1 gallon catsup
1 gallon cider vinegar
¼ cup red pepper
¼ cup black pepper (for heat)
6 lemons, sliced
2 sticks of butter
Bring first 4 ingredients to a rolling boil stirring occasionally. Add lemon slices and butter.
Boil and continue to stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool while flavors meld. Can add more pepper if needed. When cooled, you can either store in fridge (remove lemons) or serve.
The above article and recipe were written exclusively for http://www.bbqjew.com by LowCountry Barbecue, proud to be a leading Atlanta caterer, serving families and businesses during the holidays for over 25 years. LowCountry is also an Atlanta wedding caterer specializing in events, big or small, across the country; no location is too far and no party is too much.
Filed under: 'Cue Culture, Cooking | Tagged: Georgia, Outside NC, Recipes |
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