Make Ahead

On a recent trip to one of my favorite vineyards in California, Seghesio, I stopped by a restaurant in downtown Healdsburg. The sign promising sushi (yes, pitmasters do occasionally enjoy a plate of sushi) drew me to a seat overlooking a fresh seafood bar, where in addition to sushi a wide variety of fried and grilled appetizers was available. The food was great, but what caught my eye and taste buds was the variety of sauces that accompanied their fresh fare, especially their caramelized soy sauce. This deep black sauce had the consistency of molasses but with a rich chocolate flavor. Surprisingly, it worked very well with the seafood. In my mind I was envisioning chocolate shrimp, chocolate chicken, and chocolate ribs! Well, maybe I got a little carried away, but it did inspire this glaze.

Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, serves as the state’s east-west dividing point in Carolina barbecue. To the east of the city, whole hog is the meat of choice and simple Eastern Carolina–style vinegar sauce is the preferred slather. West of Raleigh is the land of the pork shoulder, and the “sauce” is referred to as a “dip.” Most Western Carolina dips can be characterized as a vinegar/ketchup–based sauce. Dips can be used as a baste mop, a finishing slather, or a post-cooking soak for the meat.

Coleslaw is a staple side dish in every barbecue restaurant in the South, and the flavors vary from region to region. You’ll find hot slaw, mustard slaw, creamy slaw, vinegar slaw, red slaw, white slaw, and even blue cheese slaw. Which is better usually depends on the flavors you grew up with or what entrée you are serving it with, and although the debates aren’t as heated as those focusing on politics or who has the best ’Q, the discussions are quite passionate. This marinated coleslaw recipe is one of the stable of slaws fixed in the test kitchen at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. Although it has never been on the menu, it is a favorite of Big Bob’s grandson Don McLemore, and it’s a natural pairing with chicken. The sweet vinaigrette dressing makes this dish adaptable to every barbecue region.

An Italian classic, fragrant with lemon.

You can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat, stirring frequently, until melted.

This cookie dough can be kept in the freezer for up to at least two months, so whenever you want warm, freshly baked cookies (with none of the additives found in commercially prepared frozen cookie dough), just slice it and pop it in the oven.

Creamy, fruity, refreshing, and vegan. The combination of mango and coconut makes this a perfect dessert to follow a Caribbean or Indian meal.

These glossy, burnished, not-too-sweet and not-too-spicy nuts are irresistible. With fresh or dried fruit, they make an elegant dessert. Or add to one of our Fruit & Cheese Plates. A great little something to snack on, too—we like to keep them around to nibble on when supper is a little late. They keep for up to a month.

This is the hot sauce we make regularly at the restaurant to ladle over burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, casseroles, and stuffed vegetables. Cooking the onions and peppers quickly on high heat brings out flavor with less simmering time.