7 Things Necessary for a Good Barbecue

This is one of Mamakat's prompts.  I was hankering for some  brisket, and that's how this ball got rolling!

Barbecued meat is awesome.  Tender, juicy, melt in your mouth goodness.  I'm drooling already, thinking of those fajitas, ribs, and brisket.   Yummy doesn't even begin to describe it.  There are a few necessities before you start barbecuing, however.  Pay Attention!  


1.  A Grill with a Smoker   The best barbecue meats are meant to be cooked slowly over hours, sometimes days.

2.  A Person to Man the Grill  I am not allowed to be around open flames for the same reason that I am not allowed to touch power tools--accidents happen.  So I volunteer someone else to be the cook.

3.  A slab of meat   Some prefer pork, other prefer a nice brisket.  Ribs come in white and dark meat. It's all good.

4.  Marinade/rub  You may need to marinade some cuts of meat to get then softened up with a bit of flavoring. At least that is what most fajita aficionados claim.  Other cooks swear by a rub of spices over the meat prior to cooking. 

5.  Mesquite wood is a key component in Texas Barbecue  It's a good wood that burns well, and creates a pleasant smoke for smokers.   Other wood will do, but it won't be the same as mesquite.

6.  A Barbecue sauce  Nothing brings a meal together like a good barbecue sauce.  Not too runny, not too thick, a good sauce adds a bit of a tang to the meat that makes your mouth water.  It complements the flavor of the meat. 

7.  Lots of napkins   Barbecue is messy. Wear clothing that you don't mind getting messy, or maybe one of those disposable hazmat outfits. If you're not covered in at least three spots with barbecue sauce, you've done something wrong.