Boldface indicates illustrations.
A
Academy Sports + Outdoors 14
Acorn Squash, Grilled 194, 195
Agave nectar: Turkey Brine 82, 83
Aging your meat 46
Amaretto: Smoked Old-Fashioned 222, 223
Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops, Spicy 131
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
B
Baby back ribs
about 56
Bacon
Cason Collards 173
Fried Cabbage and Bacon 176, 177
Moe’s “Ur So Cheezy” Corn 196, 197
Red, White, and Green 192, 193
Baked Beans, Moe Cason 4, 91, 181
Balsamic Reduction, Grilled Duck With 136, 137
Barbecue tips and tricks 28–67
brisket, cooking steps 62–63, 62–63
heating your grill 43
meat selection 46
ribs, about 56
ribs, cooking the right way 59, 59
sauces, brines, and seasonings 50
smoker care 36
smoker selection 33
tools and equipment 38, 39, 40–41
Basil
Grilled Duck With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
Prosciutto-Wrapped Turkey Breast 130
Basting 46; see also Sauces, spritzes, and rubs
BBQ Brisket
in Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
in Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
BBQ Chicken Breasts 160
BBQ Chicken Thighs, Memphis 134, 135
BBQ Chicken Wings, Sage’s 116, 117
BBQ Sauce, Bourbon 90
Beans
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Black-Eyed Peas With Sausage 188, 189
Moe Cason Baked Beans 4, 91, 181
Red, White, and Green 192, 193
Smoked Ham and Butter Beans 198, 199
Béchamel sauce 129
Beef, ground
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Beef brisket
in beef stock 88
in Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Big Moe Cason Texas Brisket Rub 71, 132, 133
Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Brisket Spritz 82
choosing the right cut 46
FAQ 52
Beef flank steak: Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Beef rib eye roll: RAGBRAI Cheesesteaks 150, 151
Beef rub see Big Moe Cason Beef Rub
Beef Stock, Big Mama’s 88
Beef top sirloin: Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
Bell peppers
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Spicy Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops 131
Big Green Egg (kamado-style cooker) 33
Big Mama’s Beef Stock 88
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Big Mama’s Potato Salad 170, 171
Big Moe Cason Beef Rub
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
Big Mama’s Beef Stock 88
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Cognac Sauce 90
Lemon-Butter Speckled Trout 114
Lightly Battered Fried Morels 180
ordering online 71
Prosciutto-Wrapped Turkey Breast 130
Big Moe Cason Competition Rib Rub
Moe’s Memphis Mop 75
ordering online 71
Big Moe Cason Fish & Seafood Rub
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Mahalia’s Chili Redfish 154, 155
Sage’s BBQ Chicken Wings 116, 117
Thick as Shrimp and Grits 146, 147
Big Moe Cason I-20 Sauce
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Pork Belly With I-20 Glaze 161
Big Moe Cason I-80 Sauce
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Moe Cason Baked Beans 4, 91, 181
Big Moe Cason Pork Rub: Pork Belly Tacos With Sweet Vinegar Slaw 162, 163
Big Moe Cason Steakhouse Rub
Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Cognac Cowboy Rib Eye 120, 121
Big Moe Cason Texas Brisket Rub
ordering online 71
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Black beans: Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Black-Eyed Peas With Sausage 188, 189
Bobby T 79
Bourbon
Bourbon BBQ Sauce 90
Bourbon-Caramel Sauce 224, 225
Bread
Fry Bread 103, 166, 182–183, 184
Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon-Caramel Sauce 224, 225
Bread Pudding, Smoked Chocolate, With Bourbon-Caramel Sauce 224, 225
Brisket
in beef stock 88
in Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Big Moe Cason Texas Brisket Rub 71, 132, 133
Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Brisket Spritz 82
choosing the right cut 46
FAQ 52
Brown rice: Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Burgers
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Butter
Chili-Butter Sauce 155
Cognac Sauce 90
Compound Herb Butter 79
Butter Beans, Smoked Ham and 198, 199
Cabbage
Fried Cabbage and Bacon 176, 177
Sweet Vinegar Slaw 172
Candied Yams 185
Cason Collards 173
Cason Creole Seasoning 88
Cason family 6–27
Audrey “Koko” (mother-in-law) 123, 184, 217
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
barbecue competitions 12, 14, 24–25, 26–27, 86–87, 95, 97
Big Mama’s Beef Stock 88
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Big Mama’s Potato Salad 170, 171
Dugga’s Smoked Grilled Cheese and BBQ Tomato Soup 148, 149
Koko’s Sun Tea 217
Margaret (grandmother) 7, 10, 12, 95
Marilyn (sister) 20–21
Montgomery (daughter) 13, 166, 208, 211
Montgomery’s Moonshine Peach Crumble 210, 211
Nena “Big Mama” (wife) 10, 80, 145, 167
passing the torch 14
Sage’s BBQ Chicken Wings 116, 117
Sedalia “Dugga” (daughter) 13, 127, 149
sides 167
Cason Kansas City Sauce 76
Ceramic kamado-style cookers 33
Challah: Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon-Caramel Sauce 224, 225
Cheddar cheese
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Dugga’s Smoked Grilled Cheese 148, 149
Hot Pepper Mac and Cheese 186, 187
Prosciutto-Wrapped Turkey Breast 130
Cheese see specific types of cheese
Cheesesteaks, RAGBRAI 150, 151
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Chicken breasts
BBQ Chicken Breasts 160
Chicken Rub
in BBQ Chicken Breasts 160
in Cason Kansas City Sauce 76
in Crab-“Stuffed” Flounder Fillets 115
in Grilled Duck With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
in Hot Pepper Mac and Cheese 186, 187
in Memphis BBQ Chicken Thighs 134, 135
in Pom-Glazed Smoked Turkey 83, 142, 143
recipe 85
in Red, White, and Green 192, 193
in Sage’s BBQ Chicken Wings 116, 117
Chicken thighs
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Memphis BBQ Chicken Thighs 134, 135
Chicken Wings, Sage’s BBQ 116, 117
Chickpeas: Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Chili, Big Mama’s Brisket 152, 153
Chili-Butter Sauce 155
Chocolate Bread Pudding, Smoked, With Bourbon-Caramel Sauce 224, 225
Cilantro
Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Mint and Cilantro Limeade 220, 221
Cinnamon moonshine: Montgomery’s Moonshine Peach Crumble 210, 211
Citrus Syrup 217
Cocktails see Drinks and desserts
Cognac Cowboy Rib Eye 120, 121
Cognac Sauce 90
Grilled Mirin-and-Cognac-Marinated Redfish 110, 111
Memphis BBQ Sauce 135
Collards, Cason 173
Compound Herb Butter 79
Corn, Moe’s “Ur So Cheezy” 196, 197
Cornbread
Cowboy Rib Eye, Cognac 120, 121
Crab-“Stuffed” Flounder Fillets 115
Cranberries: Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Cream cheese: Moe’s “Ur So Cheezy” Corn 196, 197
Creole Seasoning, Cason 88
D
Drinks and desserts 204–225
Grilled Plantains With Rum-Butter Glaze 212, 213
Koko’s Sun Tea 217
Mint and Cilantro Limeade 220, 221
Montgomery’s Moonshine Peach Crumble 210, 211
Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon-Caramel Sauce 224, 225
Smoked Sweet Potato Pie 216
Duck, Grilled, With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
Dugga’s Smoked Grilled Cheese and BBQ Tomato Soup 148, 149
E
Eggs: Big Mama’s Potato Salad 170, 171
Electric smokers 33
Equipment and tools 38, 39, 40–41
F
Family see Cason family
Fennel seeds 177
Feta cheese
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Figs: Stuffed Pork Chops 106, 107
Fish
Crab-“Stuffed” Flounder Fillets 115
Grilled Mirin-and-Cognac-Marinated Redfish 110, 111
Lemon-Butter Speckled Trout 114
Mahalia’s Chili Redfish 154, 155
Flank steak: Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Flounder Fillets, Crab-“Stuffed” 115
Fried Cabbage and Bacon 176, 177
Fry Bread
in Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
G
Gorgonzola cheese: Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Gravity-fed cookers 33
Green beans: Red, White, and Green 192, 193
Green bell peppers
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Greens: Cason Collards 173
Grilled Cheese, Dugga’s Smoked 148, 149
Grilled Duck With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
Grilled Mirin-and-Cognac-Marinated Redfish 110, 111
Grilled Plantains With Rum-Butter Glaze 212, 213
Grills
care for 36
choosing 33
FAQ 55
heating 43
as smokers 33
Grits, Thick as Shrimp and 146, 147
Ground beef
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Ground pork
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Gruyère cheese: Dugga’s Smoked Grilled Cheese 148, 149
H
Ham, Smoked, and Butter Beans 198, 199
Hamburgers
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Hawgeyes BBQ supply shop 18–19
Herb Butter, Compound 79
Honey Syrup 217
Hot Pepper Mac and Cheese 186, 187
I
Injections
about 46
FAQ 52
Pork Injection 75
Italian sausage
Black-Eyed Peas With Sausage 188, 189
J
Jalapeño Cornbread
in Cornbread Stuffing 200, 201
Jalapeño peppers
Moe’s “Ur So Cheezy” Corn 196, 197
K
Kale: Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Kamado-style cookers 33
Kansas City barbecue
Cason Kansas City Sauce 76
Kansas City Pork Rib Sauce 76, 77
Kettle grills 33
Kidney beans: Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Koko’s Sun Tea 217
L
Lemons and lemon juice
Citrus Syrup 217
Lemon-Butter Speckled Trout 114
Mint and Cilantro Limeade 220, 221
Pom-Glazed Smoked Turkey 83, 142, 143
Lettuce: Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Lightly Battered Fried Morels 180
Lima beans: Smoked Ham and Butter Beans 198, 199
Limeade, Mint and Cilantro 220, 221
M
Mac and Cheese, Hot Pepper 186, 187
Mahalia’s Chili Redfish 154, 155
Main dishes see Meats and mains
Meatballs: Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Meats and mains 92–163
aging 46
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
bark 55
BBQ Chicken Breasts 160
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
brisket, cooking steps 62–63, 62–63
Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
choosing the right cut 46
Cognac Cowboy Rib Eye 120, 121
Crab-“Stuffed” Flounder Fillets 115
doneness FAQ 52
Dugga’s Smoked Grilled Cheese and BBQ Tomato Soup 148, 149
Grilled Duck With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
Grilled Mirin-and-Cognac-Marinated Redfish 110, 111
Lemon-Butter Speckled Trout 114
Mahalia’s Chili Redfish 154, 155
Memphis BBQ Chicken Thighs 134, 135
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Pom-Glazed Smoked Turkey 83, 142, 143
Pork Belly Tacos With Sweet Vinegar Slaw 162, 163
Pork Belly With I-20 Glaze 161
Prosciutto-Wrapped Turkey Breast 130
ribs, about 56
ribs, cooking the right way 59, 59
Sage’s BBQ Chicken Wings 116, 117
Smoked Rib Eye 151
Spicy Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops 131
Thick as Shrimp and Grits 146, 147
Memphis BBQ Chicken Thighs 134, 135
Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (2023) 24–25, 26–27, 86–87
Meskwaki Settlement 145, 167, 217
Mint and Cilantro Limeade 220, 221
Mirin-and-Cognac-Marinated Redfish, Grilled 110, 111
Miso paste: Grilled Mirin-and-Cognac-Marinated Redfish 110, 111
Missouri, U.S.S. 101
Moe Cason Baked Beans 4, 91, 181
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Moe’s Memphis Mop 75
Moe’s “Ur So Cheezy” Corn 196, 197
Montgomery’s Moonshine Peach Crumble 210, 211
Mop sauces, about 46
Morels, Lightly Battered Fried 180
Mozzarella cheese
Grilled Duck With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
Mushrooms: Lightly Battered Fried Morels 180
Mustard Vinaigrette 139
N
National Pork Board 10
O
Oak (wood) FAQ 55
Old-Fashioned, Smoked 222, 223
Orange peel
Citrus Syrup 217
P
Pancetta: Stuffed Pork Chops 106, 107
Parmesan cheese
Parsley
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Pasta
Hot Pepper Mac and Cheese 186, 187
Peach Crumble, Montgomery’s Moonshine 210, 211
Pecorino cheese: Big Mama’s Lasagna 128, 129
Pellet cookers 33
Hot Pepper Mac and Cheese 186, 187
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Thick as Shrimp and Grits 146, 147
Pepper Steak, Audrey’s 122, 123
Pies
Smoked Sweet Potato Pie 216
Pine nuts: Pheasant With Pesto 144, 145
Pineapple: Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Pinto beans: Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Pits see Smokers
Plantains, Grilled, With Rum-Butter Glaze 212, 213
Pom-Glazed Smoked Turkey 83, 142, 143
Pork, ground
Big Moe’s BBQ Pork Balls 98, 99
Moe’s Hawaiian Burgers 100, 101
Pork belly
Pork Belly Tacos With Sweet Vinegar Slaw 162, 163
Pork Belly With I-20 Glaze 161
Pork butt
FAQ 52
Pork Butt Rub 109
Pork chops
Spicy Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops 131
Pork Injection 75
Pork Rub
in Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
in Black-Eyed Peas With Sausage 188, 189
in Cason Collards 173
in Cason Creole Seasoning 88
in Cason Kansas City Sauce 76
in Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
in Crab-“Stuffed” Flounder Fillets 115
in Fried Cabbage and Bacon 176, 177
in Moe Cason Baked Beans 4, 91, 181
in Moe’s “Ur So Cheezy” Corn 196, 197
recipe 85
in Smoked Ham and Butter Beans 198, 199
in Spicy Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops 131
in Stuffed Pork Chops 106, 107
Pork sausage: Black-Eyed Peas With Sausage 188, 189
Pork shoulder
award-winning 86–87
choosing the right cut 46
Pork Spritz 82
Potatoes
Big Mama’s Potato Salad 170, 171
Red, White, and Green 192, 193
Prosciutto-Wrapped Turkey Breast 130
Provolone cheese
Dugga’s Smoked Grilled Cheese 148, 149
R
Red, White, and Green 192, 193
Red bell peppers
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
Red peppers, jarred roasted
Spicy Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops 131
Redfish
Grilled Mirin-and-Cognac-Marinated Redfish 110, 111
Mahalia’s Chili Redfish 154, 155
Rib eye roll: RAGBRAI Cheesesteaks 150, 151
Rib Rub
Big Moe Cason Competition Rib Rub 71, 75
in Pork Belly With I-20 Glaze 161
recipe 85
Ribs
about 56
Roma tomatoes: Grilled Duck With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
Rubs see Sauces, spritzes, and rubs
Rye whiskey: Smoked Old-Fashioned 222, 223
S
Sage’s BBQ Chicken Wings 116, 117
Sandwiches
Dugga’s Smoked Grilled Cheese 148, 149
Sauces, spritzes, and rubs 68–91
Balsamic Reduction 137
Big Mama’s Beef Stock 88
Bourbon BBQ Sauce 90
Brisket Spritz 82
Cason Creole Seasoning 88
Cason Kansas City Sauce 76
Chicken Rub 85
Cognac Sauce 90
Compound Herb Butter 79
Kansas City Pork Rib Sauce 76, 77
Memphis BBQ Sauce 135
Moe’s Memphis Mop 75
Mustard Vinaigrette 139
ordering online 71
Pork Butt Rub 109
Pork Injection 75
Pork Rub 85
Pork Spritz 82
Rib Rub 85
for ribs 59
Sausage
Black-Eyed Peas With Sausage 188, 189
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Shrimp and Grits, Thick as 146, 147
Sides 164–203
Big Mama’s Potato Salad 170, 171
Black-Eyed Peas With Sausage 188, 189
Candied Yams 185
Cason Collards 173
Fried Cabbage and Bacon 176, 177
Hot Pepper Mac and Cheese 186, 187
Lightly Battered Fried Morels 180
Moe Cason Baked Beans 4, 91, 181
Moe’s “Ur So Cheezy” Corn 196, 197
Red, White, and Green 192, 193
Smoked Ham and Butter Beans 198, 199
Sweet Vinegar Slaw 172
Slaw, Sweet Vinegar
Pork Belly Tacos With 162, 163
recipe 172
Smoke ring 52
Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding With Bourbon-Caramel Sauce 224, 225
Smoked Grilled Cheese, Dugga’s, and BBQ Tomato Soup 148, 149
Smoked Ham and Butter Beans 198, 199
Smoked Rib Eye 151
Smoked sausage: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo 118, 119
Smoked Sweet Potato Pie 216
Smokers
care for 36
choosing 33
FAQ 55
heating your grill 43
Spare ribs, about 56
Spicy Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops 131
Spritzes see Sauces, spritzes, and rubs
Squash, Acorn, Grilled 194, 195
Squirrel Food (Brisket Grain Bowls) 138, 139
St. Louis ribs, about 56
Steak
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Cognac Cowboy Rib Eye 120, 121
Stock, Big Mama’s Beef 88
Sun Tea, Koko’s 217
Sweet potatoes
Candied Yams 185
Smoked Sweet Potato Pie 216
Sweet Vinegar Slaw
Pork Belly Tacos With 162, 163
recipe 172
T
Tacos
Buffalo Steak Tacos 103
Pork Belly Tacos With Sweet Vinegar Slaw 162, 163
Tamarind juice: Pork Injection 75
Tea: Koko’s Sun Tea 217
Temperature
of grill 43
Thanksgiving
Candied Yams 185
Pom-Glazed Smoked Turkey 83, 142, 143
Thick as Shrimp and Grits 146, 147
Tips and tricks see Barbecue tips and tricks
Tomatoes
Audrey’s Pepper Steak 122, 123
Big Mama’s Brisket Chili 152, 153
Big Moe’s BBQ Burgers 102
Grilled Duck With Balsamic Reduction 136, 137
Tools and equipment 38, 39, 40–41
Trout, Lemon-Butter Speckled 114
Turkey
Cason Collards 173
Pom-Glazed Smoked Turkey 83, 142, 143
Prosciutto-Wrapped Turkey Breast 130
Turkey Brine
in BBQ Chicken Breasts 160
in Pom-Glazed Smoked Turkey 83, 142, 143
W
Walnuts: Brisket Grain Bowls (aka Squirrel Food) 138, 139
Whiskey: Smoked Old-Fashioned 222, 223
Wood
FAQ 55
Y
Yams
Candied Yams 185
Smoked Sweet Potato Pie 216
Yellow bell peppers