The Pokey Smokers

Jori and I spent two days learning the secret techniques behind Mike and Debbie Davis’ success on the BBQ circuit.  We’ve been big fans after seeing them on Versus Network’s BBQ Championship Series. 

Scores from our first four competitions.

KCBS BBQ

CCC = Cape Cod Classic 2006

W.S. = Winter Sizzler 2007

PP = Peter’s Pond 2007

NH = Merrimack, NH 2007

Chicken

CCC 154 (8/18)

W.S. 145 (12/15)

PP 156 (6/22)

NH 151 (22/36)

Ribs

CCC 132 (17/18)

W.S. 167 (1/15)

PP 152 (9/22)

NH 148 (17/36)

Pork

CCC 150 (12/18)

W.S. 127 (14/15)

PP 147 (15/22)

NH 132 (32/36)

Brisket

CCC 141 (11/18)

W.S. 129 (15/15)

PP 165 (3/22)

NH 149 (10/36)

Total

CCC 579 (14/18)

W.S. 569/715 (12/15)

PP 622 (7/22)

NH 582 (19/36)

Chef’s Choice

CCC 160 (4/14) - Fish (smoked Bluefish tacos)

W.S. 146 (9/15) - Red Chili

PP 151 (9/15) - Seared Tuna

NEBS Grilling

Cape Cod Classic

155 (2/11) - Chicken Wings (Jerk wings)

154 (7/11) - Shellfish (Oysters)

159 (4/11) - Sirloin Steak (Steak Frites)

118 (11/11) - Beef Kabobs (Chimichurri marinade)

172 (1/11) Sweet Dessert (Grilled apple tart)

Total 588/760 (6/11)

Winter Sizzler

1st - Chicken Wings (Jerk)

Merrimack, NH

132 (27/29) - Fish Steak (Seared Tuna cubes)

160 (4/30) - Steak (Tenderloin au poivre)

148 (17/30) - Sausage (Johnsonville Beer Brats)

132 (29/31) - Grilled Fruit (Pineapple)

Total 572 (25/31)

We finished 7th out of 22 teams at Peter’s Pond, and got a call to the stage for 3rd place in Brisket.  Our first cow trophy!

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We use this jerk rub on chicken wings, ribs, and pork shoulders.  It’s blazingly hot on wings, and needs a sweet sauce to temper the heat.  The longer cooks on pork seems to mellow the heat out.  Use more rub on pork.

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This smoky sauce is great on ribs.  We’re trying it on pulled pork, as well.

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BBQ beef brisket.

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BBQ pulled pork with smoky bbq sauce.
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This recipe took first place at the 2007 Winter Sizzler.

BBQ ribs with smoky sauce.

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Barbecued Chicken
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Ingredients

• 1 lb fillets of striped bass or other similar fish
• 1 cup Lawry’s mesquite and lime marinade
• 1 1/2 limes
• Salt to taste
• 2 or more large flour tortillas
• 1/2 head cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon cumin, or more as desired
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, or more as desired

Directions

Place fish fillets in shallow glass dish. Pour marinade over fillets, add juice of 1 lime. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Cut 3 small tortillas out of each large tortilla.

Soak 1/2 cup of shredded cabbage in remaining lime juice. Arrange remaining shredded cabbage on platter.

Combine sour cream, cumin and chipotle powder. Put mixture into squeeze bottle.

Preheat smoker to 200 degrees.

Transfer fillets to smoker, skin side down. Pour a little marinade over fillets. Smoke for 45-50 minutes or until flesh is opaque and flakes easily.

While fish is smoking, grill tortillas on separate heat source, over high heat. Leave tortillas on heat for just long enough to color.

Remove fish from smoker. Flake into bite-sized chunks with fork, discarding skin. Season fish chunks with salt as needed.

Line each tortilla with lime-soaked shredded cabbage, then fill with fish chunks. Top with a squiggle of sour cream mixture, then tuck in avocado chunks.

Arrange tacos on platter, mounding shredded cabbage for support and decoration.