| Have you ever wondered why some smoked | | | | The best way to apply a barbecue rub is with the |
| barbecues are so very tasty? That is because the | | | | type of shaker jars that are found at Italian restaurants |
| meat has been pre-treated prior to cooking by having | | | | and Pizza places, and used to sprinkle crushed red |
| a barbecue rub liberally applied to the surface. A rub is | | | | pepper or grated cheese. Usually, the meat is |
| simply a mixture of spices chosen by the barbeque | | | | moistened either with vegetable oil or cooking spray to |
| pit-master to impart additional flavor to the meat while | | | | help the rub adhere to the surface of the meat. |
| cooking. Many barbecue chefs think of a rub as a "dry | | | | First, the meat is given a nice massage with the oil, and |
| marinade". The purpose of a marinade is to add flavor | | | | then the rub is sprinkled liberally from the shaker onto |
| to the meat. A rub does the same thing. | | | | the meat. The rub is then pushed into, or rubbed into |
| The basic spices used in a rub are sugar, salt, pepper | | | | the meat using the hands. A good practice is to wrap |
| (both black and cayenne), chili powder, onion powder, | | | | the meat tightly in some plastic wrap and refrigerate |
| and granulated garlic, paprika. There are many recipes | | | | for a few hours prior to cooking to really set the rub to |
| for barbecue rubs all over the web or in every | | | | the meat. |
| barbecue cookbook. Experiment with the various | | | | Using a barbecue rub is one great way to impart more |
| recipes until you find one you like. | | | | flavors to your smoked barbecue. Please do not be |
| Another of the secrets to making delicious barbecue is | | | | afraid to experiment with the rubs that you use by |
| that the same rub should not be used for every type | | | | varying the amount of this spice or that spice. Just use |
| of meat. Certain rubs are better for pork shoulder, | | | | whichever rub tastes best to you. It is your barbecue. |
| pork ribs, chicken, and beef brisket. Again, keep trying | | | | Information on barbecue rubs can be found in many |
| various recipes and blends until you find one that you | | | | locations on the World Wide Web or at the local |
| like. Also, rubs can be purchased commercially, | | | | library. |
| pre-made and ready to apply. | | | | |