From the earliest days of European settlement in the South, as in many rural economies around the globe, cured pork became a main source of sustenance, and the cheaper, lower-on-the-hog cuts--notably, bacon--became some of the most important traditional southern foodstuffs. In this cookbook, Fred Thompson captures a humble ingredient's regional culinary history and outsized contributions to the table. Delicious, of course, straight out of the skillet, bacon is also special in its ability to lend a unique savory smokiness to an enormous range of other foods. Today, for regular eaters and high-flying southern chefs alike, bacon has achieved a culinary profile so popular as to approach baconmania. But Thompson sagely notes that bacon will survive the silliness. Describing the many kinds of bacon that are available, Thompson provides key choices for cooking and seasoning appropriately. The book's fifty-six recipes invariably highlight and maximize that beloved bacon factor, so appreciated throughout the South and beyond (by Thompson's count, fifty different styles of bacon exist worldwide). Dishes range from southern regional to international, from appetizers to main courses, and even to a very southern beverage. Also included are Thompson's do-it-yourself recipes for making bacon from fresh pork belly in five different styles.

The pioneers of British barbecue bring you the ultimate guide to the grill. 'Everything you need for a BBQ blowout in your backyard' Evening Standard Grillstock know a thing or two about low 'n' slow barbecue. They have been pioneers of the American barbecue scene in the UK since 2010 with their original BBQ and music festival, Grillstock, which sees top pit-masters compete from the world over, and their chain of smokehouses bringing truly authentic BBQ to cities across the UK. Stacked with more than 100 recipes and revealing plenty of Grillstock secrets, Grillstock: The BBQ Book includes favourites from the Smokehouse menu, tips on mastering low 'n' slow style cooking, epic meaty feast ideas, and unique recipes from some of the world's best BBQ competition teams. With chapters focused on the core meats of any great BBQ meal (Pork, Beef, Chicken and Ribs), a guide to the art of smoking meat, plus further chapters on burgers, fixin's (sides), rubs 'n' sauces and finally 'slurps', the book provides all you need to create everything from smokin' dinners for two to the ultimate BBQ feast. Praise for Grillstock restaurants and events: 'I'm still amusedly flabbergasted by my majorly American weekend of downhome flavour from back home (then) near my London home (now) feasting. Grillstock London was BBQ blast and a low and slow experience I look forward savouring again' Chris Osburn Huffington Post 'Proper barbecue heaven' Daily Mail 'One of the 8 Best Rib Joints in Britain' Esquire 'You may as well accept that you will leave with sauce splattered down your shirt and chin' Mark Taylor Crumbs Magazine 'Not strictly the UK's only serious competition BBQ meet but, in my own hopelessly biased opinion, the best, and, for fans of American low-and-slow meat cooking, about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. You could almost be in Kansas' Chris Pople, Cheese and Biscuits 'Music festivals are good and all, but have you ever been listening to a band and thought, "wow...I wish I was eating a big pile of meat." That's where Grillstock comes in, a magical place where hotdog eating contests, the best in bbq food, craft beer and live music come together' Topman 'The real spirit of barbecue' Macs BBQ

Jerky is a popular and delicious way to add protein to your diet - but all the artisanal varieties showcasing locally raised meats and specialty flavours mean purchasing it can get expensive. Food preservation teacher and cook Karen Solomon teaches you how to smoke, pickle, salt-cure, oil-cure, and dehydrate a variety of meats, dairy, fish, eggs, and other proteins economically and at home. Fifty creative recipes highlight the range of specialty foods that you can make yourself with these techniques, including smoked salmon, pickled beans, cured sardines, brined cheese, duck breast prosciutto, and, of course, beef jerky (eight varieties!).