Mastering the Big Green Egg® by Big Green Craig: An Operator's Manual and Cookbook

by Craig Tabor

Overview

Make Smoking Your Second Language

Craig Tabor lives, breathes, cooks and swears by the Big Green Egg®. This certified “Egg-head” knows the Big Green Egg® like the back of his hand—not only from winning multiple grilling competitions around the country and running one of the most popular Big Green Egg® blogs, craigtabor.com, but from adopting the mentality that there is nothing he won’t grill. In this stellar comprehensive guide, Craig lays out everything you need to know to conquer and perfect cooking with your Big Green Egg® and teaches you firsthand how to become a pro like him.

Craig shows you how to set up your Big Green Egg® for success, from assembly, to maintenance, to lighting the coals just right for each recipe, ensuring the perfect temperature for the perfect cook. Once your fire is blazing, the real hard part begins: picking which recipe to try first! Go for comforting classics like Meat Candy (a.k.a. Pork Ribs) or Nashvegas Hot Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Try out meals with a twist like Sriracha Peach-Glazed Pork Chops or Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey–Glazed Cedar-Planked Salmon. Or, grill a variety of delectable dishes you never imagined you could, like Seafood Paella, Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza or Maple Bacon Oatmeal Cookies. And for those intimidating cuts of meat like brisket and pork shoulder? Not to worry—Craig walks you through how to trim, wrap, prep and cook them with helpful step-by-step photos. With Craig’s expertise guiding you, it’s only a matter of time before you become a master of the Big Green Egg®.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645670247
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	05/12/2020
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	240,745
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Craig Tabor, known as Big Green Craig, has competed in many grilling competitions, including the World Food Championship where he won second place in 2017. In both 2015 and 2016, Craig took home the top prize at Eggtoberfest, a national grilling competition showcasing foods prepared on the Big Green Egg®. Craig’s website, craigtabor.com, is a trusted resource for beginners using the Big Green Egg® and other smokers. Craig and his family live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Fire, Fire! 13

Kamado Components and Accessories 13

Fire: How Everything Works 16

Smoking Basics 20

Grilling Basics 21

Baking Basics 21

Smoking/BBQ 23

The King of Texas: Beef Brisket 25

Smoked Chicken Halves 30

Texas-Style Smoked Turkey Breast 33

Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt) & Slaw 36

Meat Candy (a.k.a Pork Ribs) 41

Things on a Stick 47

Smo-Fried Wings with Habanero BBQ Sauce 49

Dry-Brined Tomagawk Rib Eye with Compound Butter 51

Rack of Lamb with Red Wine Reduction 55

Beef Plate Ribs (Brisket on a Stick) 56

Sriracha Peach-Glazed Pork Chops 59

Braised Lamb Shanks 60

Steak Kebabs with Chinese Garlic Sauce 63

Disney-Style Turkey Leg 64

Asian BBQ Shrimp 67

In Between the Buns 69

Maple Brunch Burgers with Fried Egg and French-Toasted Brioche Buns 71

Pastrami'd Tri Tip Sandwich 74

Cowboy Burger 77

Tequila Lime Steak Tacos with Fire-Roasted Corn Salsa 80

Nashvegas Hot Grilled Chicken Sandwich 85

Pork Belly Bao with Asian Slaw (How Bao Dat) 87

From the Sea 91

Seared Scallops 93

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey-Glazed Cedar-Planked Salmon 95

Roasted Whole Red Snapper with French Pistou Sauce 99

Cioppino 101

Seafood Paella 105

Fire-Roasted Chipotle Lime Oysters 108

Seasame-Crusted Ahi Tuna Steak with Sriracha Mayo 111

Colossal Lobster Tail 112

On the Side 115

Smoked Mac & Cheese 117

Mexican Street Corn (Elote) 118

Smoked Apole Baked Beans 121

Twice-Smoked Taters 122

Fried Green Tomatoes with Chipotle Rémoulade 125

Bourbon Candied Carrots 126

Hot Smoked Tater Salad 129

Fully Baked 131

Neapolitan-Style Pizza 133

Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza 135

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread 139

Torta de Ron (chocolate Rum Cake) 140

Maple Bacon Oatmeal Cookies 143

Acknowledgments 145

About the Author 147

Index 149

Editorial Reviews

Craig is a badass BBQ guy with a flair for creating mouthwatering, lip-smacking tastiness.”
—Ted Reader, celebrity chef and award-winning author

“Craig Tabor is one of the most enthusiastic BBQ personalities I know. His versatility at the grill makes him a wonderful ambassador for all types of BBQ and grilling. This book is a testament to his skill set.”
—Danielle “Diva Q” Bennett, pitmaster, TV personality and author

“Craig is a master of the Big Green Egg®. There’s nothing Craig hasn’t cooked, grilled or barbecued—he’s the ultimate carnivore! You’re surely going to love his book.”
—Tony Biggs, Director of Culinary Art, Certified Angus Beef Brand

“Craig’s creativity on the grill and knowledge of fire use is remarkable. This book delivers his tasty recipes to your home. With easy-to-follow instructions and a great variety of dishes, you are going to want to grill every night!”
—Linkie Marais, yacht chef, Food Network Star (Season 8)

“Craig's passion for grilling anything and everything shines through amongst these pages. Sit back, give it a read and grab a napkin to keep the drool off the pages!”
—Chad Romzek, creator of Kick Ash Basket®

“This book is a must-have for anyone who wants to broaden their cooking knowledge, create unbelievable recipes and ‘WOW’ their guests!”
—Chris Gentry, Gentry's BBQ & General Store

“This book and it is a must-own for anyone who wants to elevate their live-fire cooking game!”
—Shane Draper, pitmaster of Draper’s BBQ

“This book is a spectacular collection of well-written recipes, specific methods and stunning photography.”
—Bob Hack, Sales and Marketing Manager, Flame Boss®

“For any Big Green Egg® enthusiast (or any kamado lover!), I highly recommend picking this book up and learning from Craig how to level up your kamado game!”
—Steve MCElroy, creator of Stoked on Smoke

From the Publisher