How to Make Great BBQ in Your Gainesville Apartment
While BBQ is eaten worldwide today, many Gainesville residents may be surprised to find that barbecued cuisine traces its roots right back to our community. The Timuaca tribe of Native Americans who made their home in our region of Florida introduced Spanish settlers (and consequently the rest of the world) to the practice of slow smoking meats to create tender, flavorful dishes. Making BBQ in an apartment involves a much different process than the techniques used hundreds of years ago, but there are some innovative ways to get the great flavors of BBQ in even the simplest of kitchens.
The first step to creating delicious BBQ in your Gainesville apartment is to remember the mantra “low and slow.” This refers to the low heat and long cooking times that make barbecued meats so tender. You’ll want to cook meat in an oven at around 200 degrees F, and be sure to cook in a covered pan that will retain moisture and juices as they render, as it’s easy for your BBQ to dry out otherwise.
Cooking times will vary by meat and temperature, so it’s smart to look up an appropriate time for your unique cut, but a good rule of thumb for cooking a variety of meats at 200 degrees F include:
- 1.5 hours per pound for pork cuts
- 1.5 hours per pound for beef
- 45 minutes to 1 hour per pound for venison
If you plan to BBQ poultry, such as chicken or turkey, it’s important to cook them at a temperature above 300 for at least 10 to 15 minutes to kill any potential bacteria, before lowering the temperature for another 30 to 45 minutes. It’s also wise to have a small, two-sided electric “George Foreman” type grill or a grill pan to finish your BBQ meats with nice dark grill lines that caramelize sauces and lock in juices.
If you’re looking for comfortable luxury apartments in the Gainesville area with spacious kitchens that are ideal for practicing all types of cooking, contact Bellamay Grand today.
