Review: The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQ

Review: The Smoke Shop's Backyard BBQ

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The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQ is a recipe book that has so much more than just ideas for grilling on the BBQ. This book contains so many different ideas, such as Taco Tuesdays and holiday get-togethers. It is a must-have for anyone who loves hosting backyard barbecues.

Review: The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQTitle: The Smoke Shop's Backyard BBQ: Eat, Drink, and Party Like a Pitmaster
Author: Andy Husbands
Publisher: Fair Winds Press
Genres: Cookbook, Lifestyle
Publication Date: February 18, 2020
Rating: four-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Every meal is better with BBQ! Impress your friends, family, and co-workers with recipes from Boston's popular Smoke Shop restaurant.

Join Andy Husbands and Will Salazar as they share their secrets in The Smoke Shop's Backyard BBQ. Start off with a classic Backyard Barbecue featuring pulled pork, Twice-Smoked Pulled Chicken, deliciously simple brisket, and New Memphis Ribs. With a selection of the Smoke Shop’s favorite sides, drinks, and desserts, it might seem like all you ever needed. Then they go further afield, as the following chapters bring smokehouse flavor to every occasion:
Make Taco Tuesday special with Brisket Ropa Vieja Tacos, Pulled Pork Quesadillas, BBQ Empanadas, Street Corn, The Smoke Shop Guac, and Tres Leches Minicakes.
Amp up your next Cocktail Party with Pork Belly Pastrami Skewers, BBQ Peanuts, and smoked Oysters on the Half Shell, paired with a Downtown Derby cocktail.
Throw the ultimate Tailgate featuring Salt and Pepper Baby Back Ribs, Pork Belly Burnt Ends, The Smoke Shop’s Famous Wings, and The Ultimate BLT Bar.
Additional chapters include The Big Brunch, a Fancy Party, and even a Holiday Party to keep the BBQ going year round. Gather your friends and family: it's time for a BBQ-filled celebration!

Amazon “iBooks”

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃


Review: The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQ

As it is nearing the end of February in my corner of the world, it is still winter and not quite BBQ season yet. However, The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQ has me dreaming of warmer weather and the fantastic food that I will creating with the smoker. There are some interesting meal ideas in this cookbook and I never considered a backyard brunch by the barbecue before. The offerings in this book are:

  • The Backyard BBQ
  • The Cocktail Party
  • Taco Tuesday
  • The Big Brunch
  • The Fancy Party
  • Tailgate
  • The Holiday Party

❀ Extensive Instructions

What is most useful in this book is the layout of the recipes. The authors have given extensive instructions on how to prepare and cook the meals, as well as describe the equipment needed. It is an easy to follow cookbook that also has gorgeous images and some wonderful commentary. Those familiar with the Boston restaurant the authors own will enjoy getting a little backstory from the pitmasters themselves.

The Smoke Shop's Backyard BBQ

Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon and Asparagus

There are quite a few recipes that I am excited to try this spring, including Beef Prime Rib au Jus. The accompanying sides, desserts and cocktails also make it easy to pull any party off with ease. I did give the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon and Asparagus a try, as it was something I could create in my oven. I did lighten it up a little bit by omitting some of the fat content and I used bread crumbs instead of saltines for the top. It was definitely a hit at my house and a nice change to traditional mac and cheese.

If you are a fan of the grill and smoked meats, The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQ is one cookbook to watch for. It has just about everything you will ever need to know about perfecting your grilling game.

About Andy Husbands

Andy Husbands

Andy Husbands is an award-winning pitmaster who began developing his own unique style of cooking upon opening Boston’s Tremont 647 in 1996 and later, Sister Sorel. His latest culinary venture, The Smoke Shop, culminates Husbands’ continued success and pays homage to his extensive background in the competitive barbecue circuit. His honest, approachable fare makes Smoke Shop the "Best Barbecue Restaurant" according to Boston Magazine, and the restaurant has been praised in The Boston Globe, Wine Spectator, Star Chefs, and more.

After nearly three decades in the restaurant industry, Husbands serves as one of Boston's most celebrated culinary leaders and foremost authority on regional Barbecue and live-fire cooking. He competed on the sixth season of FOX Television Network’s fiery Hell’s Kitchen and is internationally-recognized for his BBQ team, IQUE BBQ, who became the first New England team to win the World Champions of BBQ title in 2009 at the Jack Daniels World Championship in Tennessee. Husbands is a large contributor to Share Our Strength as well as an active board member of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, who acknowledged him as the 2014 Chef of the Year and a Rodman Celebration Restaurant Chair. He has also co-authored several cookbooks, including PitmasterWicked Good BBQ,Wicked Good Burgers, Grill to Perfection,and The Fearless Chef.

Lori

About Lori

Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.

13 thoughts on “Review: The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQ

  1. Lori Smanski says:

    thanks for your review. Yes we are in Autumn now so no smoker until next spring. We dont have one but my nephew has one and makes the most wonderful meats from it. During the summer he lives with his smoker. He actually made his own as well as having a store bought one. This will be a perfect gift for Christmas for him.

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