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Sous Vide Barbecue PDF
Sous Vide Barbecue PDF
contents
8
introduction
12
the basics
starters
grilled artichokes, deviled eggs
20
entrées
Asian short ribs, pork belly sliders, baby back pork ribs,
pulled pork barbecue, barbecue chicken,
nutty bird cheeseburgers, chile bacon onion burgers
38
sides
potato salad, slider slaw, sweet potato fries, mango salsa,
honey barbecued beans, corn on the cob
52
desserts
strawberry and sour cream pound cake,
vanilla ice cream with dulce de leche
60
notes
measurements, Archimedes’ Principle
introduction
History tells us that not too long after the discovery of fire, some 500,000 years ago, Incorporating sous vide cooking into the plan changes everything. By cooking food in
humans discovered the benefits (and delights) of roasting meat over it. Whether this a sous vide water bath in advance of the meal—an almost totally hands-off process—
occurred initially by design or serendipity is a matter of opinion, but the practice suited each item can be prepared at its ideal temperature, quick-chilled, and refrigerated
us so well that in virtually every culture of the world, across the millennia, we’ve been two or even three days ahead, then given a quick warm-up and sear on the barbee
gathering around fires to roast our food ever since. for serving. And the results are simply sublime: steaks and burgers cooked edge to
edge to the perfect rare, medium-rare, medium or higher that you prefer, simply dialed
The term barbecue is of a more recent vintage, and though there is debate about
in. Ribs, so juicy and tender the meat falls off the bone. Chops and chicken that stay
it, probably originated in the Caribbean, where the natives preserved meat by dry-
moist and tender. No guesswork! And it’s not just about meats. Perfect corn on the
ing it in the sun and lightly smoking it (to drive away the insects) on wooden frames.
cob, vibrant veggies, tender potatoes, eggs for deviling. Even desserts!
Their term for it: barabicu. The process spread to Spain, Portugal, the Americas, and
elsewhere. Transfigured into Spanish, the word became barbacoa and then, by the This book will show you how to do it all. Armed with a sous vide water oven as your
late 17th Century, turned up as the English, barbecue. In modern usage, the term secret weapon, you’ll be cooking like a top chef in your own backyard and enjoying
has come to represent not only the frame or rack on which the meat is cooked—the the party yourself. First some basics, and then we’ll get to the meat of the matter with
barbecue (grill)—but the process itself—barbecuing. And also, at least in the Southern some barbecue specifics.
parts of the United States, it’s come to mean the end product—barbecue. In the US
South, that generally means pork; in Maryland or Texas, it usually means beef; in other ~ Mary Dan Eades, Editor
locales, maybe mutton or goat. And, it has even come to mean the gathering itself—
having a barbecue.
In the warm months, who doesn’t love getting together with family and friends, around
the grill in the backyard, at a park, by the lake, or on the riverbank or seashore to
cook over the flames? All of us, except maybe the barbecue cook, who tends the grill,
smoke in the eyes, sweating and fretting over the food: are the burgers done in the
center? Chicken cooked all the way through? Steaks too rare…or overdone? Thus
has it always been, until now.
When cooking sous vide, the water bath temperature is set at precisely the desired
target for doneness—for instance, 146°F (63.5°C) for perfectly done chicken breasts.
Cooking sous vide (a French term meaning under vacuum) involves vacuum-sealing a
Foods cook gently for (at a minimum) long enough to allow the heat of the water to pen-
given food—meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruit—in a food-grade pouch and sub-
etrate to the center of the food. How long that process takes has been carefully worked
merging it in a temperature-controlled water bath for as long as it takes to bring the
out mathematically for a wide variety of food types, and depends not as much on the
food to the desired temperature throughout. Food cooks gently and precisely and
weight of the food being cooked as on its thickness. For example, if it takes 40 minutes
cannot overcook, since it can only reach the temperature of the water in the bath.
to bring a piece of chicken that is one-inch thick to temperature, it might take two hours
Flavor and moisture that would normally escape into the air or drip into the pan
to bring a two-inch thick piece to that temperature. It is important, for food safety, to
stay locked in the food pouch, which produces the most flavorful, tender, and juicy
carefully adhere to the minimum cooking times and holding instructions.
food possible.
Chef George Pralus developed the technique in France about 40 years ago as a The simple steps of sous vide cooking
method for perfectly cooking and minimizing the costly shrinkage of foie gras. Chef Season your food lightly with salt and pepper, or fresh or dried herbs and spices.
Bruno Goussalt popularized the technique by introducing it in the first-class cabin Seal the food in an appropriate sized food-grade cooking pouch. Use the vacuum-
cuisine on Air France’s international flights. Since then, it has become a favored seal option for most foods, and the seal-only option for foods containing more than
cooking technique of great chefs around the globe and the secret weapon of chefs just a tablespoon of liquid. Use zip-closure cooking pouches and Archimedes’ Prin-
in competitions. ciple (page 60) for foods containing a substantial amount of liquid.
The introduction in 2009 of the SousVide Supreme™ , the first water oven designed for Simmer the food at the desired temperature in the preheated water bath for at least
kitchen countertops, made the technique practical for everyone, from the rank novice the minimum recommended amount of time to ensure it is heated to the center. In
to the accomplished cook. most cases, you can leave the food in the water bath substantially longer without loss
of quality.
How does sous vide cooking work?
Sear or sauce your food, if desired. All foods that have been cooked sous vide will be
Unlike traditional cooking methods, such as roasting, broiling, grilling, or sautéing,
delicious straight from the pouch; but some benefit from a complementary sauce or
that use aggressively high temperatures to heat the air around the food, the sous vide
a quick sear in a hot skillet, on a grill, or with a kitchen torch to impart the expected
technique relies on the superior ability of water to transfer heat to the food. Because
crisp, golden crust and savory flavor.
the transfer of heat through water is many times faster than the transfer of heat
through air, removing all, or at least most, of the air from the cooking pouch—creating Serve!
17
deviled eggs
grilled
4 cloves garlic, peeled
2 teaspoons (10 ml) coarse salt
(kosher or sea salt)
artichokes
5 lemons (divided use)
1/2 cup (4 fl oz/118 ml) extra virgin
olive oil
1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) freshly ground
starters 15
deviled
5. Repeat with the remaining artichokes. 4 eggs
6. Toss the wedges in the marinade to coat them well, and then put them into a food- For lox and caper filling
2 ounces (60 g) smoked salmon lox
eggs
grade cooking pouch and vacuum seal.
or Nova Scotia salmon
7. Refrigerate the pouch for a couple of hours to infuse flavor into the artichokes.
2 tablespoons (30 ml) mayonnaise
Cook the artichokes
2 teaspoons (10 ml) Dijon mustard
1. Fill and preheat the water oven to 185°F (85°C). 1 tablespoon (15 ml) pickling juice
2. Submerge the pouches in the water bath and cook for 11/2 to 3 hours. from the capers
Serves 4 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
3. If desired, finish on the grill. Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat, remove the
Cooking time: 45 to 60 minutes 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
artichokes from the pouch, and sear briefly on the grill to mark and add flavor.
1/8
teaspoon (0.75 ml)
4. Transfer the artichokes to a serving plate, chop the flat leaf parsley and sprinkle Hard cook the eggs
garlic powder
over the top. Cut the fifth lemon into wedges to garnish the plate, if desired. 1. Fill and preheat the water oven 1 tablespoon (15 ml) capers,
to 167°F (75°C). drained
2. Put the eggs (up to 1 dozen, if desired) Paprika for garnish
directly onto the bottom perforated grill For bacon and cheddar filling
of the water oven 4 slices bacon
3. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. 1/2 cup (4 oz/125 g) mayonnaise
1/4 (2 oz/57 g) cup minced red onion
4. Remove the eggs from the water oven,
cool rapidly in cold water, and refrigerate 2 teaspoons white sugar
until ready to use. 1/2teaspoon (2.5 ml) balsamic
vinegar
Stuff and assemble the eggs with lox
1/4 (1.25 ml) teaspoon celery salt
and caper filling
1/4
(1.25 ml) teaspoon freshly
1. Peel the cooked eggs, cut them in half, ground black pepper
and remove the yolks to a bowl. Set the 1/4(0.5 oz/15 g) cup chopped
white halves aside. fresh parsley
2. Dice the salmon finely and set aside.
3. Mash the yolks with a fork and add the
25
pork belly sliders
27
baby back pork ribs
29
pulled pork barbecue
33
barbecue chicken
35
nutty bird cheesburgers
37
chile bacon onion burgers
Asian
For the Asian barbecue glaze
1/3 cup (1.5 oz/43 g) brown sugar,
lightly packed
short ribs
1 inch (2.5 cm) fresh ginger root,
peeled and minced
3 ounces (85 g) hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons (30 ml) unseasoned
rice vinegar
1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
Serves 4 1 tablespoon (5 ml) nam pla
Cooking time: 72 hours (Asian fish sauce)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
Make the glaze
2 shallots, peeled and minced
1. Fill and preheat the water oven 1/8
teaspoon Chinese Five-spice
to 180°F (82°C).
powder
2. In a small saucepan over me- For the ribs
dium heat, melt the sugar; stir 2 pounds (32 oz/.9 kg) beef
occasionally with a fork after it short ribs
has begun to visibly melt and Salt and pepper to taste
cook until completely liquefied.
3. Stir in the ginger and set aside
to cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, in a small (1 quart/.9 liter) zip-closure cooking pouch, add all remaining
ingredients.
5. Add the melted sugar to the pouch and stir to combine.
6. Use Archimedes’ Principle (page 60) to remove the air from the pouch and zip it
closed. (If you are using standard vacuum sealing pouches, simply press out as much
air as possible with your hands and seal only.)
entrées 23
pork belly
7. Submerge the pouch in the water oven and cook for 30 minutes. The food must be 21/2 pounds (40 oz/1 kg) pork belly
completely submerged to ensure even cooking. 1/4 cup (1 oz/31 g) brown sugar,
8. Remove the pouch from the water oven; quick-chill, submerged in an ice water lightly packed
1 tablespoon (15 ml) good bourbon
sliders
bath (half ice, half water) and store in the refrigerator for up to several weeks. Once
you open the pouch, store any unused glaze, tightly capped, in a clean jar in the 1 teaspoon (5 ml) crushed red
refrigerator. chile pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook the ribs
1 recipe Slider Slaw (page 00)
1. Fill and preheat the water oven to 134°F (56.5°C).
12 slider buns
2. Lightly season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Recipe courtesy of Sharone Hakman,
sharonehakman.com
3. Put the ribs into two small (1 quart/.9 liter) cooking pouches and vacuum seal.
4. Submerge the pouches in the water oven and cook for 72 hours. Serves 12
Cooking time: 10 to 18 hours
5. When ready to serve, heat a skillet, grill, or grill pan to high heat.
6. Remove the ribs from their pouches and pat dry. 1. Fill and preheat the water oven to 176°F (80°C).
7. Brush the Asian Glaze over all surfaces of the ribs and sear on the high heat 2. Put the pork belly, brown sugar, bourbon and crushed red pepper into a large
for 45 seconds per side. (1 gallon/3.8 liter) food-grade cooking pouch and vacuum seal.
8. Serve with additional glaze, if desired 3. Submerge the pouch in the water oven and cook for at least 10 hours, but up to
18 hours will make the meat even more tender.
4. Preheat a grill to medium heat.
5. Season the pork belly on both sides with salt and pepper to taste and grill the pork
for 30 to 45 seconds per side to get a tasty crust all around.
6. Slice the pork belly and transfer to a warm platter.
Assemble the sliders
1. Lightly toast the slider buns
2. Brush the bottom bun with barbecue sauce, if desired, and pile on the pork belly
and Slider Slaw (recipe on page 43), if desired.
24 entrées 25
3. Top with the other half-bun and serve.
sous vide
babyback
For the brine
1/2 gallon (64 fl oz/1.9 liters) water
1/2 cup (4 oz/120 g) kosher salt
cider vinegar
21/2 tablespoons (37.5 ml)
Recipe courtesy of Sharone Hakman,
brown sugar
sharonehakman.com
1 cup (8 fl oz/240 ml) heavy, dark
Serves 4 beer (Guinness works well)
Cooking time: 12 hours 21/2 tablespoons (37.5 ml) honey
2 tablespoons (30 ml) paprika
Brine the pork
1 bottle HAK’s Barbecue Sauce
1. In a large pot, make the brine (or your favorite brand)
for the ribs by adding the kosher
salt to the water and stirring until
completely dissolved.
2. Divide the rib racks between two large (1 gallon/3.8 liter) zip-closure pouches. Pour
half the brine into each pouch, and zip closed.
3. Refrigerate for several hours, up to overnight.
Cook the ribs
1. Fill and preheat the water oven to 150°F (65.5°C).
2. Remove the ribs from the brine, rinse, and pat dry.
3. In a bowl, make the seasoning mixture by whisking together all remaining ingredi-
ents, except the barbecue sauce.
entrées 27
pulled
4. Put each half of the rib racks into a large (1 gallon/3.8 liter) food-grade, zip-closure 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chili powder
barbecue
cooking pouch, pour in one quarter of the seasoning mixture, and using Archimedess’ 2 tablespoons (30 ml) paprika
Principle (page 60), remove as much air as possible and zip the pouch closed. 2 tablespoons (30 ml) ground
pork
5. Submerge the pouches in the water oven and cook for 12 hours. The food must be black pepper
completely submerged to ensure even cooking. 2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar
1 teaspoon (5 ml) dry mustard (hot
6. Preheat a grill or oven broiler to high heat.
or mild)
7. Remove the pouches from the water oven, open them, remove the racks, and pat 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
the surface dry with paper towels. 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) cayenne
8. Brush a generous amount of barbecue sauce over the surface and sear the ribs on pepper, or to taste
the grill or under the broiler to caramelize the sauce. 6 pounds (2.7 kg) pork roast
Serves 12 (shoulder or loin)
9. Serve immediately with additional barbecue sauce and your favorite sides. Cooking time: 18 to 24 hours
1 cup (8 ounces/240 ml) barbecue
1. Fill and preheat the water oven sauce (your favorite or recipe on
page 23)
to 176°F (80°C).
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, make a
rub for the pork by combining all spices
and seasonings, mixing thoroughly.
3. Cover the pork roast on all surfaces with the rub and pat it into the meat.
4. Put the roast into a large (1 gallon/3.8 liter) food-grade cooking pouch and vacuum
seal it.
5. Submerge the pouch in the water oven and cook for at least 18 hours and up to
24 hours.
6. Remove the pouch from the water oven, open it and carefully remove the roast to
a platter and let it cool slightly. (Reserve the juices for adding to your favorite barbecue
sauce or for making your own.)
7. Put the barbecue sauce into a small saucepan and warm it on the stove over
medium-low heat.
entrées 31
chicken
barbecue For the brine
1/2
1/2
gallon (64 oz./1.9 liter) water
cup (4 oz/120g) kosher salt
4 chicken leg quarters
For the seasoning rub
2 tablespoons (30 ml) paprika
1 tablespoon (15 ml) chili powder
1 teaspoon (5 ml) onion powder
Serves 4
Cooking time: 4 to 6 hours 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
1 teaspoon (5 ml) black pepper
Brine the chicken 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) cayenne
32 entrées 33
marks and flavor.
sous vide
nutty bird
1 pound (16 oz/454 g) ground
turkey
2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh flat leaf
cheeseburgers
parsley, minced
1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh chives,
minced
1/2 cup (2 ounces/56.5 g) pepper
entrées 35
chile bacon
4 slices bacon, diced
1/2 sweet onion, peeled and diced,
onion burgers
1 pound (16 oz/454 g) ground sirloin
1 can (4 oz/113 g) fire-roasted diced
green chiles
2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
Serves 4 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
Cooking time: 45 to 90 minutes 1/2
teaspoon (2.5 ml) coarsely
Prepare the meat ground black pepper
entrées 37
5. Dress with condiments, and serve.
sides
41
potato salad
43
slider slaw
45
sweet potato fries
47
mango salsa
48
honey barbecued beans
51
corn on the cob
salad
potato For the vegetables
11/2 pounds (24 oz/680 g) red
fingerling potatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 red pepper, cored and diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 green onions, trimmed, green and
white parts chopped
Serves 4 to 6 2 tablespoons (30 ml) minced flat
Cooking time: 45 to 90 minutes leaf parsley
For the dressing
1. Fill and preheat the water oven
to 183°F (84°C). 1 tablespoon (15 ml) white wine
vinegar
2. Cut the potatoes in half or in 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) garlic powder
quarters (dependent on size) and 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) onion powder
season them lightly with salt and
1/8teaspoon (.6 ml) cayenne pepper
pepper.
or to taste
3. Put the potatoes into a large 1 teaspoon honey or 1/2 packet
(1 gallon/3.8 liter) food-grade sucralose, stevia, or your preferred
cooking pouch and vacuum seal. sweetener
4. Submerge the pouch in the water 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin
olive oil pepper
oven and cook for 45 to 90 minutes.
If not serving right away, you may
quick-chill the potatoes in their pouch,
submerged in ice water (half ice, half water) for 20 to 30 minutes, then refrigerate
for up to 2 days.
5. When ready to proceed, make a dressing in a small bowl, adding all dressing
ingredients except the olive oil. Whisk to combine and let the mixture sit for
sides 41
slider
10 to 15 minutes or longer for the flavors to combine. Just before serving whisk in the 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cider vinegar
olive oil slowly to finish the dressing. 3 tablespoons (45 ml) prepared
mayonnaise
6. Drain the potatoes and put them into a larger bowl.
slaw
2 teaspoons (10 ml) sugar
7. Add all remaining herbs and vegetables, pour on the dressing, and toss to coat.
1 lemon, juice only
Check seasonings and adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
Salt and pepper to taste
8. Serve.
2 cups (24 oz/680 g) shredded
cabbage or cabbage slaw mix
Black sesame seeds for garnish
Recipe courtesy of Sharone Hakman,
sharonehakman.com
Serves 12
1. In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, salt and
pepper until smooth.
2. Add the cabbage or slaw mix and toss to coat evenly.
3. Use to top sliders (recipe on page 25) or serve as a side dish.
Serves 4 to 6
Cooking time: 30 to 60 minutes
sides 45
mango
9. Drizzle the grilled fries with more sage butter at serving. 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely
minced
Variations
1 Serrano pepper, seeded and
salsa
Substitute peeled butternut squash for the sweet potatoes in this recipe. Or substitute minced
white baking potatoes for the sweet potatoes and infuse the butter with 3 cloves of 2 ounces (60 ml) white wine or
garlic, peeled and crushed, and a sprig of rosemary in place of the sage. champagne vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
2 fluid ounces (60 ml) olive oil
4 fresh mangos, peeled and
Serves 12 chopped
4 green onions, trimmed, white and
1. In a bowl, combine the garlic,
green parts chopped
Serrano pepper, vinegar, salt and
1 red pepper, cored and diced
pepper, and let the mixture sit for
10 to 15 minutes. 1 red onion, peeled and diced
beans
mustard
Variation
1/4 cup (2 oz/60 ml) honey
Substitute vegetable stock for the beef stock and 1 tablespoon of olive oil for the
2 tablespoons (30 ml)
bacon for a vegetarian version of this dish.
Worcestershire Sauce
2 tablespoons (30 ml) chili powder
Serves 4 to 6 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
Cooking time: 6 to 8 hours 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground black
pepper
1. Fill and preheat the water oven
1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground
to 195°F (90.5°C).
cayenne pepper (or to taste)
2. Meanwhile, in a skillet over
For the beans
medium heat, warm the lard or
2 cups (14 oz/400g) dried pinto
oil, then sauté the grated onion beans, picked over and rinsed
until translucent. Set aside. 1/4 large red onion, peeled
3. In a large (1 gallon/3.8 liter) zip- 1 bay leaf
closure cooking pouch, add all 1 can (4 oz/113 g) diced green chile
remaining sauce ingredients and peppers, hot or mild, undrained
the sautéed onions, and stir well 2 cups beef stock
to combine.
2 thick slices bacon, chopped
4. Add all the bean ingredients and
stir once again to combine.
5. Use Archimedes’ Principle (page 60) to remove the air from the pouch and zip the
seal closed.
Serves 4 to 8
Cooking time: 45 to 90 minutes
sides 51
desserts
55
strawberry and sour cream pound cake
57
vanilla ice cream with dulce de leche
strawberry
and sour
cream
For the pound cake
3/4 cup (3 oz/85 g) flour
1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) baking soda
1 stick (4 oz/ 113g) butter, softened
1 cup (8 oz/190 g) sugar
pound cake
11/2 ounces (42g) cream cheese,
softened
1 lemon, for zest only
2 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream
Serves 8 For the shortcake berries
Cooking time: 1 to 11/2 hours 4 cups (21oz/605 g) fresh
strawberries, washed, stemmed,
1. Fill the water oven just to the fill and quartered
line and preheat to 195°F (90.5°C). 1/2 cup (4 oz/113 g) whipped cream,
with dulce
7. Add the sugar and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. 2 cans (14 oz/396 g each) sweet-
ice cream
ened condensed milk
8. Add the cream cheese and lemon zest and beat again to mix thoroughly.
de leche
For the ice cream
9. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
6 large egg yolks
10. Beat in half the flour followed by half the sour cream, then repeat with the remain- 1 cup (6.5 oz/190 g) superfine
ing flour and sour cream. (castor) sugar
1/4 cup (29 g) non-fat dry milk
11. Divide the batter between the baking pans, allowing a little room at the top.
powder (organic if available)
12. Tear a sheet of aluminum foil about 12 inches (30 cm) long and fold it in half.
1 quart (.9 liter) half-and-half *
13. Position the filled baking pans on the elevated bottom grill and tent the foil over 1/2 vanilla bean
the baking pans to deflect any drips of condensation.
Pinch of coarse sea salt
14. Cook in the bain Marie for 1 hour, and up to 90 minutes. * For a lighter ice cream, substitute
15. Remove the pans carefully from the water oven to a cooling rack. Cover lightly Serves 8 3 cups (24 fl oz/710 ml) 2% milk plus
with a paper towel and let cool for 15 minutes. Cooking time: 14 hours 1 cup (8 fl oz/240 ml) light cream
16. Invert the pans to remove the cakes. Make the dulce de leche
17. Slice and serve topped with fresh berries and whipped cream or a drizzle of dulce 1. Fill and preheat the water oven
de leche (page 57) and whipped cream. to 185°F (85°C).
2. Pour and scrape the contents of each can of sweetened condensed milk into a
small (1 quart/.9 liter) zip-closure cooking pouch. (One can per pouch.)
3. Use Archimedes’ Principle (page 60) to remove the air from the pouches and zip
them closed.
4. Submerge the pouches in the water oven and cook for 13 hours, removing the
pouches to gently massage now and again during the process. The liquid must be
completely submerged to ensure even cooking.
5. Remove the pouches from the water bath and quick-chill them, submerged in ice
water (half ice, half water) for 30 minutes.
Archimedes’ Principle
The principle, first stated by Greek mathematician and physicist Archimedes, in the
second century BCE, states: Any object, wholly or partially immersed in a fluid, is
ISBN: 978-0-9844936-7-8