Skye Barbecue

Barbecue Days

May 30

Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day

Barbecue Days

Skye Barbecue

Today's Musings, History & Folklore

"Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start."

~ Anthony Bourdain

Fire up the barbecue grill, dancers! Here's a cool dance suitable for hot smoky summer celebrations and feasts! This energetic reel was inspired by Alistair Fraser's tune of the same name with the notes: "this dance should be free-flowing and lively, as fits the tune. There should be almost a feel of flying in the reels, and 1st couple's turn on bars 17-18 and 25-26 should be a quick turn which throws them back out again like orbiting planets (and also gets them out of the way...)." Goodness gracious! And before you orbit out of the set, do you have a favourite sauce recipe or barbecue style? American-style barbecue dates back to colonial times, with the first recorded mention in 1672! While there are dozens of BBQ variations across the US, generally defined by the type of meat and sauce, most grillmasters agree on four main styles: Memphis, Texas, Kansas City, and the Carolinas. Kansas City barbecue is characterized by slow-cooked meats with thick, tomato-based sauces rich in sugar. Memphis barbecue is similar but spicier, with less sugar and often served with sauce on the side. Texas barbecue focuses on beef with a dry mustard and chili-powder-based rub and strong-flavored sauces. Carolina barbecue centers on pork with tangy, peppery sauces! Yum to them all! 🍉 🍔 🍗 🥩

Besides American style barbecue, barbecue is a global culinary phenomenon with each country adding its unique twist to the art of grilling. In Argentina, the asado is a social event where large cuts of beef, lamb, and pork are cooked slowly over an open flame or a parrilla (grill). The Brazilian churrasco involves skewering various meats and grilling them over charcoal, often served with chimichurri sauce. In South Korea, Korean BBQ, or gogigui, features thin slices of marinated beef or pork cooked on tabletop grills, accompanied by an array of side dishes called banchan. Japan's yakitori is a popular street food where bite-sized pieces of chicken are skewered and grilled over a charcoal fire, often seasoned with tare sauce. In the Middle East, the Persian kebab is a favorite, consisting of marinated lamb, chicken, or beef cooked on skewers, often served with rice and vegetables.

There are several renowned barbecue places in the UK, particularly in London, known for their diverse and delicious offerings. Here are a few notable ones:

Pitt Cue: Located in Spitalfields, Pitt Cue is famous for its smoky slices of premium meat, offering options from the grill and the smoker, such as smoky beef neck with black forest mushrooms and barbecued monkfish with blood orange and fennel.
Bodean’s BBQ: This American-style barbecue restaurant has multiple locations across London, including Soho and Tower Hill. Known for its slow-smoked ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, Bodean’s brings the taste of Kansas City barbecue to the UK.
The Blues Kitchen: With locations in Brixton, Camden, and Shoreditch, The Blues Kitchen offers Southern American BBQ cuisine. Their menu includes slow-cooked ribs, pork belly, and chicken, all prepared with a blend of spices and secret BBQ sauce.
Smokestak: Situated in Shoreditch, Smokestak is a BBQ smokehouse offering dishes like thick-cut pig ribs and a brisket sandwich. It’s known for its small plates and sharing meals, making it a great spot for group dining.
Temper: This restaurant, founded by Neil Rankin, specializes in meat cooked over open fire pits using wood and charcoal. With locations in Soho and the City, Temper is celebrated for its in-house butchered meat and impressive BBQ techniques.

To keep track of the World Barbecue Contest, click the spread below!

Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!