Learning To Smoke

Note: this post is done in collaboration with Omaha Steaks.

Tomahawk ribeye steaks have been gaining in popularity due to their visual appeal and size. You see them on social media and they make your eyes pop out and your jaw drop like on those old cartoons. It also helps that more butchers are carrying them now. But have you cooked a tomahawk ribeye steak before? Do you want some guidance? Then you’ve come to the right place.

THE DIFFERENCE OF A TOMAHAWK RIBEYE STEAK

At first glance, the tomahawk ribeye steak has a demanding presence due to its size. The thickness of the steak is roughly two inches and has a rib bone sticking out that makes the entire cut about 20 inches long!

The tomahawk has the same components of a standard ribeye steak: the longissimus dorsi (center or actual rib eye), complexus, and my favorite part, the spinalis (aka-ribeye cap). The main differences are, as stated above, the thickness of the steak and the bone protruding out. It won’t taste any different than a normal ribeye, unless it has different marbling, been dry-aged, etc. So really, you’re getting a tomahawk ribeye steak for aesthetics and a bigger appetite (or splitting the steak with others).

PREPARING A TOMAHAWK RIBEYE STEAK

Having a bigger, more expensive cut of steak doesn’t necessarily mean you need to get fancy with the ingredients. The ribeye steak packs a lot of natural flavor and doesn’t need much help from a pile of spices. I like to put a light-to-medium coating of kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder over all the meat section of the tomahawk (no need to season the bone). However, I do like to add a few more ingredients when it comes time to sear. More on that later.

THE REVERSE SEAR METHOD

I’m a firm believer in the reverse sear method. You know how some folks immediately sear the steak for a few minutes and then put it in the oven to cook internally until done? Well, reverse sear is the opposite of that. Slow cook first, sear last. With the slow cook, I love to smoke the meat to infuse that smoke flavor into it. I prefer using either hickory, oak, or pecan wood. I smoke it at 225 degrees until internal temp reaches around 125-130 degrees. To measure internal temps, I love using the Thermapen Mk4 from Thermoworks. Gets me fast, accurate results every time! Then I remove the steak and get the grill hot enough for searing.

A true searing temp begins around 550 degrees. Searing helps develop a tasty crust to the steak which adds another element to the flavor. You can sear directly on the grates of the grill, in a cast iron skillet, or even put the steak directly on the hot coals (aka- caveman style!). I prefer the cast iron skillet because the surface of the meat gets a more even crust cooked into it that way.

Do you want to know a secret to cooking a tomahawk ribeye steak in a cast iron skillet? Turn the skillet upside down! If not, the long bone on the tomahawk will keep the whole surface of the meat from touching the surface inside the skillet. But turning the cast iron skillet upside down gives you a flat surface to cook on and the bone won’t interrupt the sear. I recommend searing with avocado oil (good for high temp cooking), a clove of garlic, and a sprig of rosemary. Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side before removing.

RESTING, SLICING THE TOMAHAWK RIBEYE STEAK

Once your tomahawk ribeye steak has reached the desired internal temp, place it on a large cutting board to rest. At this point is the ideal time to place a tablespoon of butter on top and let the butter melt into the steak during the rest. I like to use garlic herb butter from Chef Shamy because it has garlic, herbs, and a bit of Parmesan cheese in it. As the ribeye steak is resting, it will likely experience carry over temp increase of a few degrees. That’s because the meat has been exposed to really hot temps and while the external is cooling off, the internal is still holding in that heat. Remember that meat is muscle and as it relaxes, it’s like sweating. Except that it’s sweating those savory meat juices. Let rest about 15-20 minutes before slicing for optimal flavor.

TOMAHAWK RIBEYE STEAK RECIPE

Note: this post is sponsored by Omaha Steaks.

Do you ever dream of a world in which one steak is actually two steaks? Or have you found yourself wanting a more tender cut of beef AND one that is a little more firm? Well that dream has come true (been a reality for about 200 years now, actually) with both the porterhouse steak and t-bone steak! Both of these cuts have the the tenderloin filet and the New York strip, but what makes the porterhouse and t-bone different? Let’s dive into the details!

Where do these steaks come from?

Both the porterhouse and the t-bone steaks come from the same section of the cow: the short loin. As seen in the diagram above, the short loin comes from towards the back of the cow, just past the ribs. This section has the internal abdomen of the cow. The tenderloin runs through this section, which provides the filet side of these steaks. The other side of the lumbar vertebrae (the t-shaped bone that makes the porterhouse and t-bone) we find the more firm strip steak.

What is the difference?

So if both steaks come from the same section, then aren’t they the same? The short answer is no. While they both come from the short loin (with tenderloin running through), the t-bone comes from the section closer to the front of the cow while the porterhouse comes from further back on the short loin where the tenderloin is bigger. And that, my friends, is what makes the difference between the porterhouse and t-bone: the size of the filet.

According to the USDA’s standards, the size of the filet on a porterhouse steak has to be at least 1.25 inches wide, measured from the bone in the middle out to the widest part of the filet itself. Meanwhile, the t-bone steak is a filet between 1.25″ and half and inch in width.

How to cook a porterhouse or T-bone steak

The tricky thing with the porterhouse and the t-bone is that they have two different cuts of beef on them that ideally cook at different speeds. The filet will finish faster than the strip, so keep in mind when gauging heat levels on your grill. I like doing a pan sear to get an even crust, but that means my filet will be a little more done than my strip but depending on the day, I don’t mind. I’d say the best thing to do to get a more even cook throughout would be to get one side of your grill hotter than the other and cook the strip side on the hotter section, flipping over top to bottom (instead of left to right) so the strip stays on the hotter side.

If you’re looking for medium rare, then finish between 135-145 degrees. Let rest about 10-15 minutes before slicing for maximum flavor to get those juices built up inside. And slice against the grain for a better bite.

Personally, I’m more of a filet guy so I love the porterhouse. But I sure wouldn’t turn down a t-bone! Which do you prefer?

In the movie Nacho Libre, Esqueleto (Nacho Libre’s sidekick) can be seen throughout the film eating corn on a cob on a stick, known as elotes. There’s a particular scene where Jack Black’s character is offered some elotes and Jack Black swats it away and says, “Get that corn outta my face!” to much laughter to those of us watching. But if you knew how good these were, you probably would’ve cried instead!

Corn on the cob (elotes in Spanish) is a classic American side dish that the good folks of Mexico have taken to the next level by putting things such as spices, mayo, and lime on them. Elotes go great with practically any meal you cook on the grill. It’s a fast, simple recipe and will make your friends and family think you’re a grilling wizard!

What ingredients do I need for elotes?

The ingredients for the elotes are simple and go as follows:

• corn on the cob
• mayonnaise
• chili lime seasoning (or your favorite spicy rub)
• fresh lime juice
• diced cilantro
• grated cotija cheese

How do I get going?

First off, fire up your grill and get it to around 400 degrees. While you’re waiting for it to heat up, shuck the corn (if you purchased it in the husk). Pull back the husks and leave them on if you want to have a makeshift handle for your elotes. This is one of the traditional ways to serve it. Another way is to poke a wooden skewer into it to act as a handle. Or you can go without a handle and eat it however you want.

Place the corn on the grill over direct heat and rotate a quarter turn every 4-5 minutes. Bonus points if you can get some of the corn kernels a little charred. Keep rotating until you get the desired look for your corn on all sides. Remove from grill and place on cutting board for the finishing touches.

The final steps for elotes

Now that the corn on the cob is grilled and on the board, it’s ready for the next steps! Take mayo and rub it all over the corn (mayo in a squeeze bottle would be helpful here). Next, squeeze some lime over the elotes. Then take a chili lime seasoning (such as Tajin or even Fire rub from Sasquatch BBQ and Spiceology) and sprinkle on as desired.

For your cotija cheese, get a cheese grater and grate over the elotes. You can either rotate the cob and cover completely or just on the tops. If you are unfamiliar with cotija cheese, it’s like a salty parmasean. Since your chili lime seasoning may have a decent amount of salt flavoring to it, grate at your own discretion. Then finally, dice up some fresh cilantro and sprinkle on top of the elotes.

If you’re wondering how many to make for your group, I usually suggest to take the number of people in your group and add a few extra in case some folks want seconds…or if someone pulls a Jack Black and swats your elotes out of your hands.

The recipe!

Another year, another list of must-haves when working the grill. I’ve compiled another list of some of my favorite things I personally love using.

CAMP CHEF WOODWIND WiFi GRILL

I was fortunate to get my hands on one of these Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi grills and I have loved using it! Most pellet grills are using WiFi capabilities now and Camp Chef has joined the ranks. The WiFi controller has a nice color display and even a protective cover to keep it from getting scratched, rained on, breathed on wrong, etc. Not only can you control temps, but also the level of smoke flavor you impart, too. The ash can below the grill where the auger is makes for very quick cleaning without having to remove all the parts from inside the grill to get to it like you do with other pellet grills. The Camp Chef app is simple, yet very well done. Easy to control and monitor temps while away from the grill.

If you’re considering this grill, I highly recommend the version with the sidekick attachment. Having this burner attached to the grill opens up more cooking options, from simmering a pot of baked beans, to searing steaks, or even cooking pizzas with the artisan oven attachment.

THERMOWORKS THERMAPEN MK4

Ever since I jumped headfirst into the world of barbecue, I learned quickly that a quick, accurate digital thermometer is a must. With super fast readings in only 2-3 seconds, I use the Thermapen Mk4 for EVERYTHING that I cook. Every. Single. Time. I swear by it and even though I’ve had my first one for over three years now, it still works like a charm. Haven’t even needed to change the batteries in it yet. I’ve become a fan boy of the Thermapen Mk4. I’ve been collecting other colors in the rainbow. Find your favorite color on the Thermoworks website!

GRILL TORCH by JJGEORGE

When I’m cooking with coals, my favorite way to get them lit is by using this grill torch from JJGeorge. Using it is simple: attach the torch to a small can of propane, turn the knob on the torch to crank up the gas, then press the ignite button and now you have fire! Coals light up quicker and who doesn’t love holding a stick that blows fire? Check it out on Amazon.

DALSTRONG 10″ KNIFE

Whenever I use this knife in my pictures and videos on social media, it grabs people’s attention. I think some lose focus on the meat and are mesmerized by the look of this Japanese super steel blade with 66 layers of folded steel, the rock-hollow divots, and curved blade near the tip. This sharp knife is technically known as the Shogun Series 10″ Butcher’s Breaking Cimitar Knife, but I call it my little machete. I love using it for larger cuts, such as brisket, ham, turkey, or even for showing off while cutting steaks. Strong enough for cutting through cartilage and precise enough for trimming fat. Oh, and the handle forms to my hand so well. Wow your friends and family with one of your own!

NITRILE GLOVES

I have featured nitrile gloves in other BBQ Essentials lists before, but I’m constantly asked what type of gloves I’m using that it bears repeating. Nitrile gloves are great for handling food to prevent the spread of bacteria and you don’t have to wash your hands 12,000 times while prepping and cooking food (I may have exaggerated a little on the handwashing, but still). I prefer to use the nitrile gloves from Gloveworks HD.

LARGE CUTTING BOARD

When prepping and slicing larger cuts of meat such as turkey or brisket, having a larger surface to prep and finish on is super convenient. Having grooves in the board to catch juices is important, too. There are many good cutting boards out there, but I have chosen this Camp Chef Professional Bamboo Cutting Board because of how deep the grooves are and the little pocket in one of the corners to hold even more excess juices. This board is HUGE, measuring at dimensions of 26.5 x 17.25 x 1.33. I have used this one for over a year and it has held up very well. This board is actually a perfect fit for this patio cart, too.

LOOKING FOR MORE BBQ ESSENTIALS?

Well, you’re in luck! Check these other posts for more of my favorite tools in BBQ:

BBQ Essentials List

BBQ Essentials 2.0!

In the world of grilling, pork chops don’t get enough love as they should. They tend to be upstaged by beef cuts such as ribeye, New York strip, and filets. But pork chops do have some things going for them: they’re leaner cuts, they’re usually cheaper, and when cooked right, pack some incredible flavor. This smoked and seared honey garlic pork chop recipe will have you grilling pork more often.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

To prep these smoked and seared honey garlic pork chops, you will need 2 lbs. of pork chops, a tablespoon of kosher salt, two teaspoons of black pepper and garlic powder, and one teaspoon of paprika. I like to apply kosher salt first and then mix the other ingredients and put on after. Make sure to apply on all sides, especially if you’re using king cut pork chops from Omaha Steaks like I did. These things are about two inches thick and weigh 16 oz. each! You’ll also need some garlic herb butter and honey near the end.

HOW TO COOK PORK CHOPS RIGHT

One of the problems some folks have with pork chops is that they turn out too dry and are tough to chew. This is because the pork chops are cooked too long. Some consider pork to be done at the same temps as chicken, meaning that at 165 degrees the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat.

According to the National Pork Board, pork can be cooked to 145 degrees, which is good for medium rare. This is very important when cooking pork chops, especially. This leaner cut will be more juicy and tender to the bite when cooked to 145 degrees.

SMOKING AND SEARING THE HONEY GARLIC PORK CHOPS

Before you prep the pork chops with the seasonings, make sure to get your grill up to 275 degrees on indirect heat. When it comes to pork, I like to use either hickory or pecan wood/pellets. Prepping the pork chops should be fairly quick, so make good use of the time while you wait for the grill to get up to the desired temp.

Once the grill is at 275 degrees, put the pork chops on and keep there until internal meat temps reach 135. The length of time the pork chops are on there will depend on their thickness. Since the pork chops I cooked with are two inches thick, it took me about an hour to reach that temp. But I find it is more important to measure according to temp rather than time. Make sure to get yourself a reliable digital thermometer, like the Thermapen from Thermoworks.

As the pork chops are getting close to the 135 degree temp, get a skillet on separate grill or burner up to searing temps, which start after 500 degrees. That way, the skillet will be hot and ready when it’s time to put the pork chops on. But right before you put the pork chops on, get your garlic herb butter and mix it around the skillet first.

Then put the pork chops on there, flipping after a minute. Depending on the thickness of the pork chops, get some of that sear on the sides, too. Pull off the skillet and place on a cutting board to rest. You should have reached the desired 145 temp at this point. While it is resting, drizzle honey on the pork chops and let it rest in while the meat is resting/carryover cooking. Give it about 15 minutes before slicing. Now your smoked and seared honey garlic pork chops are ready!

THE RECIPE!

If you’ve ever been to a Brazilian steakhouse (aka- churrascaria or rodizio-style), chances are you’ve had picanha. The servers that come by your table will bring this beef on the skewer that is shaped like a “C” and slice it off the front and onto your plate. Picanha is my favorite meat at the restaurant! And with your own rotisserie attachment for your grill (or a long metal skewer that you are willing to manually rotate over an open flame), as well as a few simple ingredients, I will show you how to make this Brazilian garlic delicacy in your own backyard!

WHAT TYPE OF MEAT IS PICANHA?

If you live in North America and ask your butcher for meat to make picanha, they may not know what you are talking about. To help you get this cut, tell him/her you want a top sirloin cap, coulotte, or rump cap. This cut of beef will be roughly four pounds. Butchers like to cut this up and sell sirloin steaks, so you may need to convince your butcher to either get a sirloin cap from the back or special order you one for later.

PREPARING THE GARLIC PICANHA

Once you have this sirloin cap, take the fat cap on top and score the fat by slicing criss-cross cuts into it. Do you best to not cut into the meat. Take some kosher salt and sprinkle all over the fat cap and meat-exposed sides.

Once that is done, slice the meat into thirds, from the widest side down to the smallest (as seen in the picture above). Apply some more kosher salt to the freshly sliced sides that didn’t get covered earlier. Now apply some black pepper and then some minced garlic, both over all sides of the pieces of meat.

TIME FOR THE SPIN CYCLE

The traditional way to cook picanha is to form the meat into a c-shape form and pierce it onto a big, metal skewer. A rotisserie attachment for your grill is highly recommended, although you could use a large metal skewer to put over the hot coals and rotate ever so often. But seriously, look into getting a rotisserie. The folks at Kamado Joe make a Joetisserie attachement that fits most 18″ ceramic grills.

Cooking it this way means the meat is basting in its own juices, enhancing the flavor even more. Cook it this way for 20-25 minutes until the meat reaches the desired temp you are looking for. I like to cook my Brazilian garlic picanha to medium rare. Using a digital thermometer, like the Thermoworks Thermapen Mk4, is a fast and accurate way to gauge meat temps.

REST, SLICE, SERVE

Once that is done, put on some heat resistant gloves and place onto a cutting board to rest for a little bit before slicing. I do this to help the meat build up juices and maximize the flavor in every bite. Leave the meat on the skewer for the Brazilian steakhouse effect. Slice the meat by cutting the tops of the cuts of picanha parallel with the skewer. I prefer to cut in thinner slices. After slicing a couple of times, feel free to put the skewer back over the coals for another spin on the rotisserie to cook the fresh surfaces and develop some more crust for future slices.

THE VIDEO!

THE RECIPE!

Tomahawk ribeye steak is becoming more popular thanks to an increase in folks who like to grill and BBQ influencers (such as myself) on social media promoting these magnificent cuts of beef. These steaks are a bit pricey at the butcher and that alone can make it intimidating for a newbie who is afraid he/she will screw it up. Don’t worry about screwing it up. I’m here to make sure you won’t screw it up.

What’s the difference between a regular ribeye and a tomahawk ribeye?

The main thing that makes the tomahawk ribeye steak different than a regular ribeye is the giant rib bone attached, measuring about 18-22 inches long. It definitely brings a “wow factor” to the meal. It drops jaws, turns heads, and makes some grown men cry (don’t judge me).

Another element that makes the tomahawk ribeye different is the thickness. Since the rib bone is attached, the ribeye will be around 2 to 2.5 inches thick. Some butchers can cut a regular ribeye this thick for you if you special order them that way, but right off the shelf you end up with an inch of thickness or less so they can sell more steak to more people. Expect a tomahawk ribeye to be around three pounds: two pounds of beef, about a pound of bone.

Prepping the Tomahawk Ribeye

Getting the tomahawk ribeye steak ready for the grill is just like prepping any other steak. I prefer mine with a simple salt and pepper-based rub. The main ingredients I use are equal parts kosher salt and ground black pepper, then a little less of garlic powder (feel free to mix in a couple more ingredients such as onion powder or paprika). Sprinkle the blend of spices over all sides of the meat portion of the tomahawk ribeye steak. Feel free to let it sit for a little while at room temperature to let your seasoning sink in a little. It is okay for beef to sit out a little while, not so much for poultry or pork.

Reverse Sear = Smoke then Sear

You may be familiar with searing: the process of grilling the meat at a high temp (usually 550F and above) to start off and then moving to the oven at a lower temp until done. Reverse searing is the opposite of that (hence the name) because you start off by cooking at a low temperature and then finish it off with the high heat on a direct surface.

Why reverse sear instead of traditional sear? Because you can infuse smoke flavor into the tomahawk ribeye steak first and then sear to lock in that flavor AND those juices from the meat! I like to use smoking woods such as hickory, oak, or pecan for beef. Smoke it between the 225-250F range until internal temp reaches about 125F. This can take about an hour.

While the tomahawk ribeye steak is smoking, make sure to get another grill surface as hot as you can for searing. As you gauge temps inside the meat, like I do with my Thermapen Mk4 from Thermoworks, you will have a better feel for when to get the sear going on the other grill.

NOTE: don’t feel ashamed if you sear on a skillet on the stove burner in your house. As long as you have a hot surface to cook on you’ll be fine. But there’s a chance you may set off the smoke alarm in your home.

Searing with a Cast Iron Skillet

While some folks like to sear on the grill grates, I prefer on a cast iron skillet. Reason for being is that the hot cast iron will cover the entire surface of the steak so you get more of that savory crust as compared to the lines where the grates are. Also, you can throw ingredients such as butter, garlic, and rosemary onto the cast iron to add flavors to that crust.

Are you ready to hear a cooking hack? Turn the cast iron skillet upside down! Do this so you can get the entire surface of the tomahawk ribeye steak seared. You’ll notice if you try to lay the steak in the skillet, the bone keeps the bottom portion of the steak from hitting the surface. Turning the cast iron upside down gives you a perfectly even sear on each side. Sear for 1-2 minutes on each side or until internal temp reaches 135F, which is good for medium rare.

Rest, then Slice

Once the tomahawk ribeye steak has reached your desired finishing temp, remove from the heat and let it rest for a good 20 minutes before slicing. This way, you let the juices build up and the meat will stop cooking inside. Slice against the grain and feel free to devour right off the cutting board!

Goes well with corn pudding on the side!

The Recipe!

My introduction to Southern corn pudding came when I went up to the From the Ashes BBQ festival up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Anthony DiBernardo, of Swig & Swine in South Carolina, had this side dish he was cooking in a large cauldron and immediately caught my interest.

Combining ingredients such as cream cheese, jalapeño, and, believe it or not, corn, this side dish became one of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten! And with permission from Anthony himself, I now share with you this side dish that will rival your main course at your next cookout!

How do I get started?

First things first, make sure to get an 8 oz block of cream cheese and let it sit out long enough to soften. Now to get started on your corn pudding, take four ears of corn and use a knife to cut the kernels off. You can either set them aside or put them right into a skillet. Next, slice about half and onion and cut it julienne, meaning long thin strips. Then dice a small jalapeño (whether or not the seeds are left in is up to you). Put these ingredients in a large skillet on medium heat for sauté-ing. You’re gonna want that little bit of char on there because the flavor and the crisp of it will stand out. Once you have sautéed the corn, onion, and jalapeño, set aside.

The rest of the ingredients

For the next steps of this Southern corn pudding, you’ll need a hand mixer and a medium or large sized bowl. Mix the softened cream cheese and three eggs together until smooth. It may take a little while to mix until smooth depending on how soft you got the cream cheese.

Once the cream cheese and eggs are blended together in smooth harmony, pour in a cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of self rising cornmeal, two teaspoons of salt and one teaspoon of pepper. Oh, and the shredded cheddar cheese. You’ll want at least two cups of that. Mix all of these ingredients together, folding in the corn, onion, and jalapeño from earlier.

Time for the dutch oven!

Pour your mixed concoction of Southern corn pudding from the bowl into a greased dutch oven. Since I’m putting this on the grill over indirect heat (or hung about a foot above a fire as seen in this picture), I’m doing this in the cast iron dutch oven. Cook uncovered at 325F for 30-40 minutes. You can tell when it’s done by digging a spoon in and it comes out mostly clean. Pull off the grill and let it sit out for a few minutes before serving. This will serve about 8-10. Feel free to double the recipe for a bigger group. In fact, you may want to double it anyway so you can have seconds…or leftovers!

The recipe!

While the BBQ meat is the main event on the plate, you can’t overlook the supporting cast: the side dishes. I’d like to think the sides you make should be good enough to eat on your own after the BBQ is all gone. This smoked jalapeño pepper jack mac and cheese has been a hit with my friends and I think it’s worthy to share.

MAKING THE MAC

You may be wondering if you cook the smoked jalapeño pepper jack mac and cheese all on the smoker. While there may be some recipes out there that call for it, this one does not. You can cook this indoors either on the stove or in the Instant Pot. For the Instant Pot, take a 16 oz bag of elbow macaroni (I prefer the large elbows), four cups of water, three tablespoons of butter, and two teaspoons of salt. Set the Instant Pot for four minutes and when you are done with the venting afterward, remove the lid and switch to sauté. Then add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 1 1/2 cups of medium cheddar cheese, 1 1/2 cups of pepper jack cheese, and a diced up jalapeño. Mix until cheese is melted.

SMOKING THAT JALAPEÑO PEPPER JACK MAC AND CHEESE

Now that the mac and cheese is done cooking, it’s time to add that smoked flavor! Pour your jalapeño pepper jack mac and cheese into a foil pan, preferably a little larger than 8×8 (I’ve tried that and not all of it fits. But if you want something to snack on while the rest of it smokes…). Feel free to top with something like bread crumbs to give it a little more texture. I used some jalapeño cheddar pork rinds and crumbled them up and poured over the mac and cheese in the foil pan.

Put the soon-to-be smoked jalapeño pepper jack mac and cheese on the grill at 225 degrees over indirect heat. We keep it that low because the mac and cheese is already cooked and you don’t want to dry out the noodles. For the smoke flavor, I prefer to go with hickory wood on this one. Let it cook for 30 minutes. Remove from grill and dig in!

THE RECIPE!

Smoked Jalapeño Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese

Print

Kick your basic mac and cheese up a notch by adding some jalapeño and pepper jack cheese. Top with jalapeño cheddar pork rinds and give it a kiss of hickory smoke to complete the side dish!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 oz large elbow macaroni noodles
• 4 cups water
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• OPTIONAL: handful of crushed pork rinds for topping

Instructions

1. Place water, macaroni noodles, butter, and salt together in Instant Pot. Seal vent and set on Manual for 4 minutes. Preheat grill/smoker to 225 degrees on indirect heat with hickory wood.
2. Once the Instant Pot beeps when the 4 minutes is up, turn the top knob from sealing to venting. Once venting is completed, remove lid and set to sauté. Pour in heavy whipping cream, both cheeses, and diced jalapeño. Stir until cheese is fully melted.
3. Pour mac and cheese into a foil pan (preferably something a little bigger than 8x8), top with crumbled pork rinds (optional) and put on grill for 30 minutes. Remove and serve.

Notes

1. The pork rinds (or chicharrones if you prefer) are optional, but do add to the flavor and provide some texture. Substitute bread crumbs if you prefer.
2. Check noodles after 15-20 minutes to make sure they don't dry out.
3. If you want to kick up the heat, you can do one of the following: include the seeds from your diced jalapeño; substitute pickled jalapeño; or substitute for a serrano pepper.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1 Cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 425 Total Fat: 20g Saturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 8mg Sodium: 675mg Carbohydrates: 47g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 8g Protein: 10g