Woo hoo ! ..my Debut recipe post on LTBBQ
....so let's begin this thing yea ?.
I developed this recipe for a catering gig and used it on a couple of split chicken halves that were done on a Santa Maria Grill over some Almond wood (very popular wood here in the San Joaquin Valley). The cook was pretty straightforward ... , I rubbed them over night and grilled them over medium heat until deliciously crisp and beautifully glazed. They were a hit among the guests and many asked about the Barbecue sauce in which I didn't tell them much other then ripe plums & good bourbon. The real story behind this recipe is when I made it again for my girlfriend's boss and her family !....haha , anyways so here are some shot's from that evening I made it for the boss and her family . This cook was done with a Weber 22inch , indirect heat with Lump coals (I like cowboy brand ) and a split log of Almond wood that I let concetrate down into coals over the hot lump coals , temp was about 350 to 374 degrees . I had the chickens grilling over the indirect side skin side down , lid closed for a good 25 to 30 minutes , flipped ..then started glazing with the sauce until set and done. The sauce recipe below is my gift to you guys ... hope you enjoy !! ..
TIP : If you cook with a lot of fruits like I do ...Stock up on Fruit puree's ! .. I always buy more then I'll need when something's in season and puree it, then put it in the freezer to use year round and ready to go.
To prepare a Plum Puree , simply split the fruit ..and pull the pits out , then blend the flesh adding splash of water if needed but that won't be necessary if you get them well ripe juicy and sweet like natures candy!.
BOURBON & PLUM COCA-COLA BARBECUE SAUCE
. 1 tablspoon or oil
. 1 onion minced finely
. 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
. 1 to 2 cloves of garlic
. 1/4 cup bourbon
. 1 cup Coca-Cola (it easier to work when allowed to go flat)
, 2 cups Ketchup
. 1/2 cup Cider vinegar
. 1/2 cup Red plum puree
. 1/4 cup brown sugar
. 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
. 1 tablespoon dijon mustard (if available look for the fancy black current kind)
. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
. 1 teaspoon cloves spice
. 1 teaspoon lemon zest
. 1 teaspoon cayenne or chipotle powder
. 1/2 teaspoon salt
. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
To finish
. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
. 1 shot of bourbon
1.) In a saucepan , saute onion ,ginger in oil over medium heat until well caramelized & softened.
Stir in the Garlic ..and saute for 1 to 2 more minutes until fragrant.
2.) CAREFULLY ...add in the bourbon , add it away from the heat if working over an open flame to avoid a flare up ,
allow it to reduce for a second then add the Coca-Cola ..and let this cook down by half then begin adding everything else.
.3) I allowed the sauce to simmer over low heat a for 45 minutes stirring occasionally so it didn't scorch on me,
then right before using , Be sure to taste for seasoning in cause you want it sweeter or less.
.4) I finished the sauce with a tablespoon of butter and shot of bourbon , mixed it until melted,
then puree'd it once more to make it smooth.
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