What Styles Of Cajun Smoking Do You Want To Do?
Cajun smoking has made a name for itself in the home if every food enthusiast around the world. It has become a symbol of tasty, fresh, and healthy food, amongst people who love smoked meat. Cajun smoking has been around for decades, and with the passage of time, it has become more and more appealing for foodies. Famous chefs like Paul Pruddhome have brought Cajun smoking through the doors of everyone who loves Louisiana cooking.
Like every cooking method, Cajun smoking also has different kinds of styles. They are used to make some amazing dishes which are loved by the food enthusiasts of that particular region. Small variations in cooking methods can add up to become some amazing products at the end. If you are new to the concept of Cajun smoking, it would be a great idea to try out the many ways through which you can make some amazing dishes.
We will be talking about the different styles of cooking when it comes to Cajun smoking. We will be discussing how geographic locations made a huge impact in the preparation of some amazing dishes of the Cajun culture. Knowing about the rich history of a cuisine makes trying it out even more exciting. So, let us dive right in the phenomenon that is Cajun smoking, and discuss the different styles it has!
Smoking styles:
- Memphis.
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
Carolina Style – North Carolina and South Carolina
Carolina style is a pork, which is sliced, chopped, pulled, and shredded. It is sometimes rubbed before smoking, using a spice mixture. And while it is being smoked, it is mopped down by using spice and vinegar liquid. The wood used in it is mostly hardwood such as hickory or oak. It is the oldest style of American BBQ as per many sources.
The Carolina style has North and South Carolina style and both of them offer amazing flavor for food enthusiasts to try and enjoy. Both these styles are a great way to make your BBQ and can make the whole event more memorable with the food and fun that you can have. So, let us discuss both, and the various subtypes they have.
North Carolina
The very first style that we will be talking about is the North Carolina style of Cajun smoking. As we all know that barbecue is one of the most amazing ways to not only cook quality food, but also spend quality time with friends and family. The wooden picnic tables, the food enthusiasts enjoying dishes that stimulate the taste buds, and friends having a great time together, that is the essence of BBQ.
Both North and South Carolina have their own distinct ways of cooking food. You would be surprised to find out how subtle differences can play a huge role in changing the outcome of the dish that you prepare. You should have an idea about the different styles and try out both of them to enjoy the Cajun cuisine to its core. The North Carolina style boasts of having 2 different kinds of approaches of its own. They are called The Lexington Style and The Eastern Style.
We will now be talking about the sauces used in the North Carolina style. The Eastern Style of North Carolina is often considered to be the earliest and one of the most original approaches to BBQ. A vinegar-based sauce, which is enhanced with red pepper and some sugar, is used to baste the meat. It gives a distinct flavor to the meat and makes it a treat for the taste buds. This, then, is also used as an addition serving along with the BBQ, to be used for dipping purposes.
On the other hand, The Lexington Style is based upon using a sauce that uses ketchup or tomato in the sauce. As we said, a tiny difference can change the whole taste of your meat to a large degree. You will enjoy both styles, just as much as the people in the area do. Sauce is a vital part to be used as a dipping in many BBQs. The type of sauce can make your meat from spicy to a little sour in no time. So, try out both styles before settling for one.
While the Lexington Style goes with pork shoulder, the Eastern Style goes with whole hog. The Lexington Style is in a way a subtle nod to the German settlers who are credited with inventing the style. There are many debates as to which kind of North Carolina style is better. Though there are many different answers, depending up on the taste of the individuals, this is for certain- it is the Eastern Style that is OMG.
These 2 distinct styles of North Carolina BBQ methods ought to be tried and enjoyed if you are a foodie. Especially one who loves the feel of the difference between 2 cultures with the help of some delicious and amazingly prepared food. North Carolina style has attracted many people to it. It has received appreciation from many foodies around the world. So have a go at it and enjoy the delicacies that are served to you!
South Carolina
If we were to describe about the variety that South Carolina BBQ offers, we will be short of words and space. So huge is its impact in American BBQ that it is one of the many states that claim to be the original birthplace of American BBQ. And with the amazing variety that it offers to foodies, many believe it. There are a whole lot of various sauce options if you are thinking of mixing things up for a bit.
The Northern part of the state follows the same concept as that of North Carolina. What that means is that it too, has the same ingredients minus the sugar. The northern part is called as the Pee Dee region. This BBQ style allows for a healthy mixture of black pepper, cayenne, vinegar, and salt. Overall, the combo is great for the palate, as the taste just melts in your mouth.
The Midlands of South Carolina is a little different. The sauce that they produce is quite easy to recognise and enjoy. The reason for the easy recognition being the brightly coloured mustard base. This sauce is very tangible and delightfully sweet. It is the sauce for which the state and the cooking style is known for. Try it out once and you will get to know the impact of the above ingredients when they are all thrown together in the pot.
As is the case with any cooking style, there are many inclusions from other states as well. This accounts for the light and heavy tomato concoctions. The light concoction is made up of vinegar, tomato sauce, ketchup, and pepper. The heavy concoction, on the other hand, doesn’t use as many spices and relies more on the tomato sauce. The Pee Dee region and the upper Midlands are the venues where the light tomato concoctions are found. The heavy tomato concoctions are found in western and south western South Carolina.
Since the pigs are very prevalent in the region, the South Carolina style is mostly pork that is pulled and is then accompanied by any of the four major regional sauces. A mix of rice and hash is used as an additional serving along with the pork in a traditional South Carolina style BBQ. Vegetables cooked down to a thick stew, spices and sauces are all amalgamated to make a great feast.
The variety offered by South Carolina style is a case of every coin having two sides. Since there are so many styles, the state does not have any kind of signature style as such. But the people love to try out any kind of style that the state has to offer. Foodies flock to the famous restaurants and enjoy the food as it gets served along with some delicious sides. You too, should taste the cuisine made with the South California style.
Memphis Style
We will now be talking about the Memphis style. With the dawn of technology, more and more people around the world have been able to try out some cooking styles of the places they could not physically visit. Internet has allowed an easy access to some amazing food cooking styles. Memphis Style is one such amazing BBQ style that once tried on will stick with you and you will want to experience it even more.
If we must describe Memphis in two words, it would be that it is a “Pork Country.” Well-cooked pork is served along with ribs, which are either wet or dry. The taste is mesmerizing, and foodies enjoy devouring the meat to their heart’s content. It is a style that can be learned and tried at home where you would organize your own BBQ. Doesn’t matter which part of the world you reside in; Memphis Style will always save the day when you are having your friends over for a BBQ.
The wet ribs, which are served in Memphis style, are sauced well, and are then smoked. This is done in order to give you the experience of sticky fingers. A feeling that every foodie loves. The dry rib is a different story. It is covered in rub before being subjected to smoking. The Memphis style is also famous because Memphis is home to one of the most loved competitions foodies can enjoy, which is called Memphis in May.
Memphis in May is a world BBQ championship where foodies can take part to showcase their skills and enjoy the whole experience. Food enthusiasts from different parts of the world and different walks of life, assemble to witness a fest for both the eyes and of course the tongue. This event has helped in the propagation of Memphis Style out of the country and in the homes of foodies residing in different parts of the world.
Though many Memphis style restaurants still serve beef and chicken, the use of pork along with ribs and shoulders have now become the signature dish when it comes to portraying it. This amazing style of American BBQ has been loved by food enthusiasts and has been accepted by chefs all over the globe. Try it out yourself and dive into the fascinating world of BBQ with Memphis Style.
Texas Style
The Lone Star state has many different approaches to BBQ. As they say, “everything is bigger and more complicated in Texas.” With a wide array of styles, different approaches, and amazing end products at the execution of every single one of them, it is no surprise that Texas Style is loved all across the country. It is appealing and magnificent to say the least. The beef brisket is the chief cut in it.
When it comes to the sauces, each part of Texas has its own kind. When we talk about East Texas, the BBQ is marinated in a tomato-based sauce, which tastes sweet. When we move to South Texas, a molasses variety is more prevalent. Mexican style, Barbacoa, is common in deep South. Central Texas does it differently by leaving the meat as such after rubbing it with salt and pepper.
So, it doesn’t matter which part of Texas you hail from. Using these methods will help you in preparing a great BBQ. You can enjoy some amazing meals using the Texas style in the comfort of your home.
Texas BBQ is all about the beef. The catch is that all Texans prefer the beef brisket, which can take more than 20 hours to prepare. This is the average time it will take for the meat to get tender. After that, the meat should then be left as it is, to rest, while it marinates in its own juices so you can enjoy it later. This whole process takes more than a day, but the end result is rewarding, nonetheless.
The Barbacoa tradition is different from the ones we have discussed till now. While all the traditions use beef, the Barbacoa tradition can also include goat and sheep meat. It is also a great method and has been tried by many foodies. Maguey leaves are used to cover a whole dug in the ground, which is the most traditional way for this method. It has roots dating centuries back and is still as famous as it was back then.
Let us now have a brief look at all 4 Texas styles
- East Texas style: In this style, the beef is very slowly cooked. It is cooked to the point till it is “falling off the bone.” It is generally cooked over hardwood like the hickory wood. It is then marinated using a sweet to taste, tomato-based sauce. This style is also known for its chopped pork, and the delicious beef sandwiches.
- Central Texas style: In this style, the meat is first rubbed with some spices. It is then cooked over an indirect heat which comes from pecan or oak wood.
- West Texas style: In this style, the meat is smoothly cooked over direct heat which comes from mesquite wood.
- South Texas style: This style features thick, molasses-like sauces that are used in order to keep the meat moist. Mesquite smoked BBQ is more prevalent in this style.
The trinity of Texas are the hot gut sausages. They are loved by the people of Texas and all foodies. The Texas style is one of the most celebrated styles of BBQ and the Trinity of Texas, that is the hot gut sausages, play a major role in it. These sausages are comprised of spicy, black pepper sprinkled roughly over ground beef sausages that are amazing to taste.
This is what makes up the Texas style. It is one of the most loved, tried, and tested BBQ styles. It has its own flavor that makes the BBQ more memorable. Enjoying a BBQ can be pretty easy when you are using the Texas Style to make it. You can have some amazing beef briskets if you spare some time. And let us tell you, it is always worth it!
These are the different kinds of BBQ styles that you as a foodie should try out when you are inviting friends to your home for a BBQ. You will enjoy the whole process and the end result will also be great. Having a wide range of BBQ styles to choose from, we hope that you try out all of them and keep on switching from one style to the other, to keep the variations in your cooking coming.
Try these styles at your next BBQ and make your friends enjoy the feeling of devouring some amazing dishes that you prepare from scratch. We hope that you will love the amazing feedback you receive after organizing a grand feast for the taste buds. Do not forget to give a feedback to us too. We too, after all, are foodies just like you!