Barbecue chicken is a popular dish, and there are probably millions of crockpot recipes out there. The purpose of this article is to only give you three crockpot recipes that are only for barbecue chicken.

Scan through each one and decide which one sounds the best to you. Or, you can try all three out at different times to see which your family likes the best!

Recipe #1

1 Chicken, cut up and skin removed

1 cup ketchup

3/4 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Place chicken in crockpot. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook 4 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. Delicious!

Recipe #2

4-6 pieces chicken (I use boneless breasts)

1 bottle BBQ sauce

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. mesquite seasoning

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2-1 tsp. red pepper flakes

Mix BBQ sauce with all ingredients listed under it. Place chicken in crockpot. Pour sauce over all.

Cook slowly on low in crockpot about 4-6 hours. Serve with baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw.

Recipe #3

1 frying chicken cut up or quartered

1 can condensed tomato soup

3/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup vinegar

3 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon sweet basil

1/4 teaspoon thyme

Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine all other ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover tightly and cook at "low" for 6-8 hours. Makes 4 servings.

Good luck with finding your favorite!

Author: Kara Kelso

About the Author: Kara Kelso is the mother of two, and owner of http://www.Idea-Queen.com . For more quick and easy recipes, visit: http://www.idea-queen.com/recipes-for-mom.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kara_Kelso

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One of the best barbeque dry rub recipes is one that my grandfather taught me. We used to spend the summers at my grand parents house in Alabama, and even though they had out houses and lived in a little old house, it was always worth it because of the barbeque. It was not until I was older that he actually gave me the recipe for his barbecue dry rub recipe, and now I want to share the spicy one with you.

For starters, he would always use fresh ingredients, or as fresh as he could get them.These would be mixed in a bag, and tossed around for a good 15 minutes. He would actually make me and my little sister do this. Then he would run down meat and place it in the refrigerator overnight. He always did this overnight and never tried to cut corners and only do 2-3 hours.

We normally had ribs or chicken on the grill with this dry rub, but you could probably use any meat you wanted.

The actual recipe for the dry rub is as follows:

8 teaspoons of onion powder
3 teaspoons of white pepper
4 teaspoons of ground cumin
2 teaspoons of garlic powder (not garlic salt)
2 tablespoons of dry mustard powder
4 tablespoons of crushed savory
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

This should make somewhere around a cup of seasoning, which will be enough for about 3 big slabs of ribs or about 1 whole chicken.

The grilling part is completely up to you. Just grill them like you normally would, but do not add anything else to the meat. For the best results, you should rotate the meat often at a lower temperature. This will help keep the juices in the meat and keep it moist.

We I grilled with my grandfather, it was an experience. It was not a chore. We looked forward to this, and took pride in the food we prepared for everyone. He has since passed, but his recipe still remains. And trust me when I say this: Once you try this, you will not try any of the other barbecue dry rub recipes out there.

Author: Michael Baker

Get more barbeque dry rub recipes and make that family cookout one to remember.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Baker

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Spare ribs are great when grilled on the barbecue. Everyone likes them, even children. And as spare ribs are cheap, you can feed a big group and not break your wallet. There are a few rules to keep in mind when you want to get great and tasty spare ribs.

First, it is important to remove the membrane from the bones with a sharp knife before you put the ribs in the marinade. There's no need to parboil the ribs before you grill them. You can place them raw on the barbecue grill once they are marinated.

Just do not put the ribs on a high heat grill fire. Doing this will make your ribs dry and burn black. It is not good practice, yet many people fail to grill properly. You need to wait for the charcoal to become gray or white. If you still see flames, then you must wait for the fire to slow down. If you grill ribs on a low heat, you will make them tender and nicely browned.

Here's a great barbecue rib recipe...

4 lb Spareribs
1/4 c Ketchup
1 ts Dry mustard
2 Cloves garlic - crushed
1 c Brown sugar - packed
1/4 c Soy sauce
1/2 c Chili sauce
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
ds Pepper

Preparation:

Combine all the ingredients and marinate the ribs at room temperature for about 1 hour. You can let them marinate longer if you like a stronger taste.

Grill the ribs for about 30 minutes, depending of the thickness, constantly turning and basting the ribs with marinade.

Serve.

Author: Tommy Nopud

If you liked this recipe, then you may download thousands more at the Ultimate Recipe Collection: http://www.recipes.instantinfoprofit.com

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How To Clean Your Grill

When purchasing your barbecue grill, think of it as an investment rather then just another item for your outdoor entertainment. You should expect this item to become a large part of your outdoor activities for many years to come. But like any other investments, proper maintenance and care is needed to ensure that your barbeque grill will work for you for many years to come.

Leaving you grill messy after each use will not only make it harder on you when you finally do clean the grill, but it will also drastically decrease the lifespan of your grill. If you grill sits dirty, you increase the risk of rust.

While some maintenance and cleaning is specific to the type of barbeque grill your own (gas, electric, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill), the majority of maintenance that should be carried on does not change from grill to grill.

Step 1- Gathering The Necessary Items

You will need some common household items on hand when it comes time to clean your barbeque grill.

Brass wire grill brush Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already. Mild dish soap Sponge or dishcloth Spray cooking oil Dry baking soda Aluminum foil

Step 2- Brushing Your Grill Off

The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your barbeque grill, you will prevent any type of buildup. If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove, and can end up causing problems such as rust.

Step 3- Spray Cooking Oil

Once you are sure that your grill is free of all buildup and debris, and that your grill is completely cooled off, you will want to spray it down with a light layer of cooking oil. Spraying it down with cooking oil will prevent your barbeque grill from rusting. It is especially important to make sure you barbeque grill is completely cold, as spraying cooking oil on a hot surface may cause the oil to heat up and ignite, which could be potentially dangerous to you and your barbeque grill.

Step 4- Use Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil on Your Grill Baking soda is a very nice cleaning and polishing agent. Once you have removed any extra debris and buildup, lightly scrubbing your barbeque grill with baking soda will give it that extra shine, similar to the day that you brought it home from the store. This can also be used on handles and knobs to remove any extra buildup tat cannot be taken off with a wire brush.

Aluminum foil can also be used to keep your grill looking nice. Gently rub the aluminum foil on your grill, and you will notice that it removes grim and buildup. This is a cheap and inexpensive way to clean your grill.

Step 5- Clean Your Racks

The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible. Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before cooking on these racks again.

By: John Salmon

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To learn about barbeque tips and how to barbeque ribs, visit the How To Barbeque website.

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Grill barbecue covers protect your grills and prolong their life. Not keeping your grill covered, particularly if it is part of your outdoor cooking equipment could expose it to extreme weather and damage it. Added to this, there is the problem of debris, dried leaves, dust and bird droppings settling on the grill, making it quite tedious to clean.

A barbecue grill cover is an essential accessory for your grill regardless of whether you have just a basic charcoal grill or a state of the art gas grill. Outdoor grill covers are best bought from the barbecue grill manufacturer or dealer from whom you purchase your grill, mainly so that you can get the right fit, preventing the cover from coming off in a strong breeze. There are also several outdoor barbecue grill covers available in the market that could work just as well. You will probably have to get a cover that comes with the facility to hook it or cinch it to the grill to hold it down securely.

Barbecue grill covers are available in different sizes and come with straps that you can adjust and use to ensure a tight fit to your grill so that if there is a really wild wind, you do not want to go searching for your grill cover.

In terms of material outdoor barbecue grill covers can be made from a variety of materials and priced accordingly. Grill covers can be in fabric, vinyl and polyester as these are the most commonly used materials. Polyester is considered one of the best when it comes to grill covers as it is lightweight, while being very durable and can be used in any season, be it winter, summer or during heavy rains.

Even when it snows, a polyester bbq grill cover will not become stuff at minus 40 degrees. Your barbecue grill will stay safe under its polyester cover all through winter. What makes polyester so special is that it is treated with chemicals that make it resistant to water and ultraviolet rays. It does not fade. Even though polyester is a woven product, it is highly water resistant because of the polyurethane lining inside.

Vinyl barbecue grill covers, on the other hand must always be at least of 12 gauge vinyl although you are likely to get a lesser gauge in the market. These tend to wear out fast and worse still, in very cold weather, can become brittle and break.

An important component of the outdoor barbecue grill covers is the inner lining that gives it the strength to withstand different weather conditions. Some grill covers are made of fleece, which is not a very good idea as it can just fall apart. Moreover, if it becomes damp or wet, it can take a very long time to dry out, making it prone to mold and mildew. Worse still, it attracts pests that like to reside in it.

Compared to vinyl, plastic and fleece, polyester grill covers always score high because they dry quickly, stay durable and do not attract pests.

All grill manufacturers offer grill covers for the barbecue grilling equipment they sell. Some top names are Weber, Vermont Castings, Charmglow, Broil King, Char Broil, Duane, etc. Weber grill covers are made of premium quality heavy duty vinyl for their charcoal grills, gas grills and smokers.

When it comes to the largest complete barbecue, hearths and stoves Vermont Castings ranks among the top three manufacturers. Vermont Castings Grill covers are custom made to fit their bbq grill models and can be purchased by quoting the model number of the bbq grill. Charmglow is another manufacturer of grills that offers vinyl covers with felt backing and Velcro closures. You can find Charmglow gas grill covers by model number online from several sources.

Author: Jonathan Goodman

About The Author: Jonathan Goodman is the owner of Market Merchants an online retailer specializing in home and garden products. My passion for bbq grilling and fireplaces is the core focus of Market Merchants. I am a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA), the National BBQ group (NBBQ), and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). We sell these products because we love them and are passionate about consumer living needs. So whether its furniture and decor, home improvement, kitchen and dining, or outdoor living Market Merchants brings a dedicated commitment to the customer and a passion for high quality products. Visit Market Merchants for a wide selection of barbecue grill covers from our grill accessories department.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Goodman

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 A wonderful way to entertain family and friends in an outdoor setting is with a backyard barbecue party. With proper planning and the right environment people will be talking about your party all summer. Important factors to think about when entertaining are things like the barbeque grill, seating, lighting, and of course the menu planning.

Today's barbecue choices have never been greater. The designs and options are wonderful, there really is a barbecue that fits your individual barbecuing needs. Barbecues come in both natural gas and propane grills. Barbecues are available in portable fire pit models excellent for a patio or backyard, giving the feeling of being around an actual fire pit.

Other barbecue designs include charcoal-wood grills, portable grills and outdoor stoves. Weber makes some of the most durable and reliable quality grills, using stainless steel burners to provide long- wearing even heat and burners with spider and insect screens to keep the burners pest free. The stainless steel hoods and bodies are long lasting and great looking. Several of the designs also include built in thermometers.

Another great addition to your backyard cooking options might be a bbq smoker. These bbq smokers are perfect for seafood delicacies and traditional barbecue meals like beef brisket, ribs or pork. They are also excellent for chicken, seafood or anything needing direct high temperatures. Briquettes are available that burn for up to eight hours giving a wonderful smoked flavor.

A beautiful patio leaves you with the feeling that your at a cottage or a wonderful outdoor retreat, the nice thing is it's a much more affordable alternative to owning a cottage. With the great selection of patio furniture and accessories on the market you can design your patio to be your own personal vacation in your backyard. The patio is not only a convenient getaway, but also a natural extension of your home's design and dcor.

Black is a popular color for furniture as is antiqued greens with a distressed look. Wooden furniture is again popular, teak being a favorite as it ages so beautifully. Patio furniture is available with armrests, high back chairs and swivel rockers with matching ottomans, all for ultimate comfort. Most of the outdoor furniture sold today is made with all weather fabrics; it's also wise to select furniture that will be durable and low maintenance.

When throwing and planning a barbecue patio party you'll want to be prepared and know approximately how many people will be coming. You want to be sure there is enough available seating so everyone is comfortable. You'll also want to be prepared for unexpected weather.

Awnings are an excellent option, allowing you to take control of the weather on your deck or patio in a moment; there are also outdoor tents that you can set up with a table inside to shelter yourself from the rain. It's important to have at least one outdoor umbrella to provide protection and shade for your guests from the hot sun, not to mention they also look nice. There is no shortage of excellent patio furniture and comfortable outdoor sitting options. Patio heaters are also welcome for cooler evenings after the sun goes down.

It's important to have a proper serving or buffet surface for your party, a place where you can have all the food, beverages, plates and utensils. Portable carts or side tables can also work well. You may even have a built-in countertop.

The lighting for your outdoor party will only matter if the barbecue carries on into the evening; regardless the lighting is something that is nice to think about as it adds so many ambiences to your backyard setting. There are outdoor solar-powered lights available and other lighting options in several designs. Luminaries, candles, miniature white lights strung between trees or along your patio, or some lovely white paper lanterns hanging from your trees can make your patio extraordinary.

Bug control is a must at your outdoor party. Burn citronella candles to help keep a variety of bugs away. If yellow jackets are a nuisance in your yard, traps are available from your garden center or nursery. Remember to cover food, especially the meat and sweet drinks on the table to protect from bugs.

A few other nice additions to your party might be; gift bags for any children attending the party, you can fill the bags with fun ideas found at the dollar store like glow sticks, crayons and little notepads etc., it's a nice idea to keep the children occupied; patio heaters are excellent if it starts to cool down in the evening, or for unexpected cooler days; flowers in planters or hanging baskets will further add to the appeal of your yard; lastly a nice variety of music sets the mood and adds a nice overall feeling to your party.

Planning the meal is probably the biggest challenge to your party. You'll want to know in advance if any of your guests have any special eating preferences, allergies, dislikes. You can always go with the standard burgers, veggie burgers (f there will be any vegetarians attending), steaks and salads knowing that everyone will be satisfied and full.

On the other hand, you might want to surprise your guests with a wonderful honey barbeque broiled steak; a simple marinade can be made with garlic, marjoram, salt, pepper, dry mustard, honey, and balsamic vinegar. The selected steak or chicken can then be kept in the marinade for a couple of hours in the fridge, next step is onto the barbecue. Excellent side dishes might be some potato salad, a green salad and corn on the cob.

In the summertime cold drinks are a must. You might make some cold lemonade, and have some carbonated beverages on hand. A nice addition to any buffet table is a lovely punch (alcohol or non-alcohol) with some lemon slices and fresh fruit additions. Always have lots of ice available to keep the drinks cold. For dessert some cut fruit such as strawberries, melon and watermelon slices prove refreshing or a fruit salad can be nice, and of course a nice cake or some cookies is always sinful but popular. Later on, a bowl of corn tortilla chips served with salsa is well liked.

Of course your budget will determine how much you can and can't do as far as decorating at your party. But don't let that discourage you, it takes time to get your patio looking exactly the way you want it, in the meantime keep your eyes open and look for ideas. A simple picnic table and some plastic outdoor chairs work well too; a barbecue really is all about the food and atmosphere created.

With some planning and the right atmosphere your outdoor barbeque party will be a success. Whether your party is big or small, a barbeque is a wonderful way to get together with your closest friends and family members to enjoy the summertime and some great food.

Author: Valerie Giles

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For a patio to become an effective outdoor dining and living area that will be conducive for outdoor lunches, dinners and for parties, a patio has to be able to accommodate not only tables and chairs but also a cooking appliance such as a barbecue. A good patio barbecue design requires careful deliberation and thought.

If you want to create a versatile and functional barbecue-cum-patio area in your house, there are some key factors you must consider. First, you should determine what your vision for the area is. Will it be used primarily for entertaining guests during parties or as a quiet and private nook where the family can get-together on weekends or special occasions? Will it be used as play space for children or for sunbathing? Do you want a patio barbecue design that that offers partial or full privacy from your neighbors? What type of features would you like to have in your patio barbecue?

When you find out the answers to the abovementioned questions depending on your needs, this can help you decide what type of patio you want. You can also decide on what type of materials you will be using. For barbecues, you can use either concrete or brick. There are also concrete grills that are inlaid with brick for added appeal and durability. Concrete is generally more durable but brick is more attractive. Another excellent material you can consider is decorative concrete, which gives you the durability of concrete and the beauty of other materials such as brick or slate.

Other materials you can consider include natural stone such as limestone and bluestone. These stones provide a timeless beauty but are generally more expensive and require careful installation. Of course, you can always use these stones as a form of investment, especially if you are planning to sell your home in the future, as it will definitely increase the value of your home.

You can design a barbecue grill that doubles as a storage area for barbecue equipments as well as a fireplace or fire pit that will be quite useful during the winter months. Some companies offer consultation and construction services of concrete or brick barbecues. Others provide a complete service, from patio barbecue design to execution.

If you have limited experience in building your own barbecue, it is always better to consult a professional, for better results. You can work with your landscape architect or consultant to create a patio barbecue that will complement and harmonize with your home. Just make sure that your patio barbecue will conform to your local zoning laws. More importantly, make sure that your patio barbecue design will fit your families living, dining and entertainment needs and preferences excellently.

Author: Albert Lee

For patio design ideas, visit http://www.patiodesigns101.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albert_Lee

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Summer is the season our thoughts go to cooking outdoors - grilling.

We are all familiar with cooking meat on the grill - juicy steaks, hamburgers and tangy ribs. But how about some lighter fare?

Here are three lighter recipes for summer grilling - a salmon with citrus flavored sauce, grilled vegetables and a light grilled halibut (or any solid white fish) with a herb and lemon flavored crust.

So any time you are in the mood for something a bit different and a little on the lighter side, try these out.

Grilled Citrus Salmon

1/4 cup honey garlic barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped chives
2 teaspoons melted butter
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
hot pepper flakes (optional)
2 pounds salmon fillet, one large fillet or individual portions (works best with one large fillet)

Preheat the grill to medium high and grease well. Pierce a piece of nonstick foil several times and place on a baking sheet. Stir the barbecue sauce with the other ingredients (except the salmon). Put the salmon on the foil, skin side down.

Brush half the sauce mixture over the salmon. Slide the foil on to the grate. Cook, covered, without turning for 15 to 17 minutes or until salmon is cooked but still slightly cook in the center. Brush with the remaining sauce mixture during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

To serve, slice salmon into portions and use a thick metal spatula to remove from the portions from the foil. Leave the skin behind. Garnish with added chives if desired.

Makes 6 servings.

Cedar Plank Version:
Soak an untreated cedar plank in clean water for 2 hours. Place the plank on the grill and preheat for 5 or 10 minutes or until wood begins smoking. Place the salmon on the cedar and proceed as directed above. Use skinless salmon for best results.

Grilled Vegetable Platter

1/2 cup garlic and herb flavor barbecue sauce (or your favorite marinade)
3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter or olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dry)
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dry)
3/4 pound each of small red and white potatoes
4 cobs corn, cut in half or thirds if larger
1 pound assorted summer squash such as green or yellow zucchini or patty pan squash

Whisk the marinade or barbecue sauce with the butter, parsley and thyme until well combined. Reserve.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Working in batches, blanch the potatoes for about 10 minutes. Blanch the corn for 2 minutes. As the vegetables are finished, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large bowl of water to chill. Drain well and pat dry. Toss all the vegetables with the marinade mixture until evenly coated.

Preheat the grill to medium high. Grill the potatoes corn and squash, turning as needed and basting with any remaining marinade. As vegetables become tender, remove from the grill to a warm platter or bowl. Tent the cooked vegetable platter with foil until all vegetables are cooked.

Makes 6 servings.

Grilled Halibut with Lemon-Herb Crust

3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
1 pound halibut fillets, about 1/2" thick, skin left on
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add butter and toss with a fork to form a crumbly mixture. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise and tarragon.

Arrange the fish, skin side down, on a platter. Spread each fillet with the mayonnaise mixture. Press crumbs mixture onto each fillet.

Preheat barbecue on high for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Arrange fillets on barbecue skin side down. Lower lid and cook until fish flakes easily with a fork and topping is browned, about 10-12 minutes. Drizzle lemon juice over each fillet and serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

By: KarenC

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Karen Ciancio is a cook and a fan of all things cooking related. Her website www.cookingnook.com contains recipes for all occasions, cooking tips, cooking measurement conversions and lots of kitchen ideas. Look for more great fish and vegetable recipes here.

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