Grilling with Spice Rubs - Giveaway

When I start preparing to grill dinner it seems I always go right for the grill sauces and marinades.  It is so easy to marinate a piece of meat and the flavor you get from it is pretty unbeatable...so I thought.

The other night, I got the chance to try out one of our new spice rubs.  Carolina style barbecue holds a special place in my heart.  It reminds me of summer vacations to visit my grandparents in North Carolina, sitting on the picnic tables with a Carolina-style pulled pork sandwich and a bag of hush puppies.  When I first saw we were introducing a Carolina's Rub I knew I needed to try it as soon as possible; pork, chicken?  The options seem endless!

Had I not had the guidance from my chef husband, I might have just dunked the chicken breasts into the rub and threw them on the grill.  I was quickly informed that we needed to marinate the chicken breast just like I would with a grill sauce to get a more intense flavor.   After a few minutes on a charcoal grill I got the flavor I was looking for.  I may have been converted to using spice rubs all the time now and I can't wait to try the other 7 flavors!

Since it's summer time and everyone has the grills lit up, we want to share a few of our new spice rubs with one of our blog readers!

What you will win:

Stonewall Kitchen's new Carolina's Rub and one new rub of your choice!

To Enter:

Mandatory Entry:  Are you a patient charcoal griller or do you prefer the ease of a propane grill?

Extra Entries:

(one extra entry for each, please leave a separate comment to let us know)

• Follow @stonewalkitchen on Twitter
• Write a review of a product you have tried
• "Like" Stonewall Kitchen on Facebook
• Blog about us!  Leave the URL to your blog in the comments
• Tweet this giveaway once daily and leave the URL of your tweet in the comments section.  Feel free to copy/paste;

Spice Rub Giveaway from

@Stonewalkitchen http://bit.ly.WT6wt,Please RT

Remember, each extra entry must be left in a separate comment.  A winning comment will be chosen at random.  If an email, twitter handle or other way to be contacted isn't included the winner will be announced and asked to comment back leaving contact information.  (The winner's comment with contact info will not be published).  Winner has 48 hours to reply and claim their prize before a new winner is selected.

Giveaway ends on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 11am EST.  Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize of an alternate winner will be selected.  US residents only, please no employee entries. 

Bananas, love 'em or hate 'em? Try our banana cream pie recipe.

Bananas, class clown of the fruit world...do you love them or hate them? Is it just me or is it always the banana flavored candy* that gets left behind in the dish? I guess this is lucky for me, because I happen to love bananas. (Yes, please give me those little yellow candies passed over by others, I'll gladly partake!)  Bananas always seem to be involved in jokes -- picture someone dramatically slipping on a banana peel, but the funniest of all banana items has got to be the banana cream pie. This pie seems to never be eaten and instead is only ever smashed in the face of an unsuspecting victim. Poor little pie. Well, as comical as it's reputation is, it'd like to propose it as a great choice for summer dessert. Our recipe, with a coffee caramel twist, promises not to disappoint. Don't worry, as usual I taste-tested it for you just in case. Enjoy!

Banana Cream Pie

ingredients

* 3 Tbsp. corn starch
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 4 egg yolks
* 2 cups milk
* 1/2 vanilla bean
* 2 cups banana puree

directions

1. Sift together cornstarch and half the sugar, add egg yolks and mix well.
2. Bring milk, vanilla and the rest of the sugar to a boil.
3. Temper cream into yolks. (click the link for instructions)
4. Return to stove and whisk until very thick.
5. Add banana puree to desired flavor and cool over night.
6. Pour into graham cracker crust, store bought or home made.
7. Top with fresh whipped cream flavored with a drop or two of almond flavoring or almond liquor.
8. Drizzle Stonewall Kitchen Coffee Caramel Sauce over top.

*As our Facebook fan Jilly Beanz  pointed out, and I agree, real banana beats banana flavoring any day!