| Many individuals agree that the sauce on barbecued | | | | rubbed into the surface. Wet rubs are simply dry |
| meat is like the icing on a cake. Gourmet barbecue | | | | rubs with a liquid (usually oil) which binds them |
| sauces, rubs and marinades are commonly served on | | | | together. When cooking for longer periods of time, |
| (or on the side of) the finished dish. Barbecue sauces | | | | wet rubs provide moisture to the meat so the meat |
| are used to add flavor and sweeten the meat for a | | | | does not become burnt or tough. Wet rubs are |
| better tasting meal. The types of barbecue sauces | | | | usually used on dishes such as fish or poultry since |
| available throughout the world are endless. Barbecue | | | | they do not have as much taste, whereas dry rubs |
| sauces, rubs and marinades are the three basic | | | | are better suited for steak and pork. Most rubs |
| methods of seasoning and each brings its own unique | | | | contain paprika, black pepper, ground chili and garlic |
| element into the barbecuing experience. | | | | powder. |
| Barbecue Sauces | | | | Marinades |
| Many individuals and families swear by barbecue | | | | Marinades are seasonings which contain acidic |
| sauce and some find it impossible to prepare meat | | | | ingredients such as vinegar, wine and citrus juice and |
| without it. Popular types of BBQ sauce depend highly | | | | are used to tenderize the meat. Marinades can be a |
| on the region, since many different areas have an | | | | combination of herbs, spices and vegetables and are |
| opinion all their own. Barbecue sauces can are usually | | | | used to add flavor to the dish. When you soak the |
| based with vinegar, pepper, tomato or mustard and | | | | meat into the marinade, the meat absorbs the |
| can offer either a sweet or spicy taste to the dish. | | | | ingredients and the result is a more flavorful and |
| Some barbecue sauces also use alcohol such as | | | | tender dish. The meat must soak in the marinade for |
| bourbon or zinfandel to add flavor. Most BBQ sauces | | | | a good part of the day or even overnight to ensure |
| use a sweetener such as white sugar, brown sugar, | | | | it has enough time to absorb its maximum capacity. |
| molasses or maple syrup to add sweetness to the | | | | Make sure you read the directions prior to marinating |
| dish. Sugar burns easily and as a result, it is best to | | | | because some foods (like shrimp and fish) can |
| add the barbecue sauces during the last stage of | | | | become mushy and soggy if they are left in too long. |
| grilling. | | | | Regardless of which form of seasoning you choose, |
| Barbecue Rubs | | | | rubs, sauces and marinades add flavor and |
| Barbecue rubs are available in two forms, wet and | | | | tenderness to all forms of meat. So give your BBQ a |
| dry. A dry rub is often a combination of dry spices | | | | gourmet kick and add a gourmet BBQ sauce, rub or |
| and herbs which are spread over the meat and | | | | marinade to your next barbecue. |