cover image Where There's Smoke There's Flavor: Real Barbecue

Where There's Smoke There's Flavor: Real Barbecue

Richard W. Langer. Little Brown and Company, $19.99 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-316-51301-2

Langer, who has authored three bread machine cookbooks (which will be combined in Little, Brown's August hardcover, The Complete Bread Machine Bakery Book) steps outdoors to the backyard smoker, latest darling of patient alfresco chefs. He finds much to extol: the ease of the slow BBQ process (requiring up to 10 hours or more for beef brisket); the succulence attained by cooking above a pan of water in smoky indirect heat; and the depth of flavor derived from marinades, dry rubs, basting--and, most of all, smoke. Before launching into his 120 recipes, Langer analyzes smokers (including the venerable Brinkmann), explains how to adapt Weber and gas grills and identifies tastes imparted by various woods. The heart of American barbecuing is ribs, says Langer, offering a dozen recipes including Gilroy's Garlic-Galore Ribs (calling for two heads of garlic) and Kimchi Ribs marinated in juice from Korean preserved cabbage. Bold barbecuers will encounter seductively unusual fare: Portabella-Stuffed Steak, Buffalo Roast, Linguica-Stuffed Chicken Thighs, Skewered Octopus and Smoked Broccoli Parmigiana. Ten sauces round out a book that may convince nonsmokers to light up. (July)