Ignorance and what is and is not BBQ

[cdollar]

In every forum you'll find the "My way is the only way" person.

[Rich Parker]

Originally Posted by Ron_L

What is the strangest thing that you have cooked and actually liked, despite it's reputation?

At an Egg event last fall Tyson Foods was one of the sponsors and we were given bags of frozen Tyson hot wings to cook on the Egg. Despite a few falling through the grates, they came out pretty good. We couldn't keep up with the demand from the crowd.

This would be a great thread that I would like to read. Has this been discussed before?

[Hugh Jorgan]

It's really not about my way or your way. It's just a matter of grammar. I cook stuff all different kinds of ways. But I do not call it BBQ unless it was cooked long and slow over fire.

[Hugh Jorgan]

Main Entry:1bar·be·cue Pronunciation: \ˈbär-bi-ˌkyü\ Function:transitive verb Inflected Form(s):bar·be·cued; bar·be·cu·ingEtymology:2barbecueDate:1690 1 : to roast or broil on a rack or revolving spit over or before a source of heat (as hot coals) 2 : to cook in a highly seasoned vinegar sauce
— bar·be·cu·er noun

From Websters dictionary.

Doesn't say anything at all about tomatoes, mustard, beef, pork or anything else. Just the process. And the vinegar and spices.

[cdollar]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jorgan

It's really not about my way or your way. It's just a matter of grammar. I cook stuff all different kinds of ways. But I do not call it BBQ unless it was cooked long and slow over fire.

I believe you mean "definition", not "grammar".


Chuck

[Hugh Jorgan]

Nope I mean grammar. A system of rules about word usage that defines the structure of a spoken or written language.

[cdollar]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jorgan

Nope I mean grammar. A system of rules about word usage that defines the structure of a spoken or written language.

Oooookkkkaaaayyyy

[thillin]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jorgan

Main Entry:1bar·be·cue Pronunciation: \ˈbär-bi-ˌkyü\ Function:transitive verb Inflected Form(s):bar·be·cued; bar·be·cu·ingEtymology:2barbecueDate:1690 1 : to roast or broil on a rack or revolving spit over or before a source of heat (as hot coals) 2 : to cook in a highly seasoned vinegar sauce
— bar·be·cu·er noun

From Websters dictionary.

Doesn't say anything at all about tomatoes, mustard, beef, pork or anything else. Just the process. And the vinegar and spices.

But your first post said it had to be pork? Where does that come from?

[thillin]

Dictionary.com

–noun
1.pieces of beef, fowl, fish, or the like, roasted over an open hearth, esp. when basted in a barbecue sauce.
2.a framework, as a grill or a spit, or a fireplace for cooking meat or vegetables over an open fire.
3.a dressed steer, lamb, or other animal, roasted whole.
4.a meal, usually in the open air and often as a political or social gathering, at which meats are roasted over an open hearth or pit.

[Rich Parker]

Originally Posted by thillin

Dictionary.com

–noun
1.pieces of beef, fowl, fish, or the like, roasted over an open hearth, esp. when basted in a barbecue sauce.
2.a framework, as a grill or a spit, or a fireplace for cooking meat or vegetables over an open fire.
3.a dressed steer, lamb, or other animal, roasted whole.
4.a meal, usually in the open air and often as a political or social gathering, at which meats are roasted over an open hearth or pit.

Holy cow it says BEEF! The Texas boyz will be able to sleep now...

Please note funk it does not say McRib and McRib can't be in the "or the like" category, because we can't guarantee it is real meat.

[Hugh Jorgan]

I say pork because it is the original BBQ. Traditionally, buffalo was jerked, or cooked fast directly on coals or stewed.

dictionary dot com has that definition because that is becoming an accepted usage thanks to Kraft foods. They are really the ones responsible for all the confusion. The Webster's definition has been the same for 300 years and describes exactly what BBQ is. Pork and venison were the two types of meat most frequently cooked this way.

Now, since the 1500s people have referred to pork as BBQ. It has only been in the last hundred years or so that the Texas style has been developed. And it has only been in the last 50 or so years that people began generically calling anything cooked near a fire as BBQ.

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it must be a duck.
If it walks like a pig and talks like a pig, it must be BBQ.
If it walks like a steer, and talks like a steer, it must be smoked brisket, steaks, veal, etc.

[Rich Parker]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jorgan

thanks to Kraft foods. They are really the ones responsible for all the confusion.

Damn you Kraft Foods!!!

[Hugh Jorgan]

This is really just a regional disagreement. I prolly wouldn't do well in a contest out west because all the judges would be wanting something that tasted like the garbage at Tony Roma's. I think the opposite is true also.

In the Carolinas, we have all four of the major sauce groups. Why? Because it all started here. One thing we generally don't do though, is apply the sauce. That is for the consumer to do. I want people to be able to taste what I cook, then taste my sauce. I do occasionally sauce chicken pieces on the grill, but come on, chicken's not really meat anyway.

[thillin]

We're not talking 300 years ago. And I would guess originally, if was fish and any other game caught that was thrown on the stick pits.

And Mr Webster's definition above still doesn't mention pork or any other meat. I guess we can agree to disagree.

[Jorge]

Hugh, have you read your PMs?