Metal Insider’s Top 5 is normally a column where we count down the top five of pretty much anything in metal. This week, however, we thought we’d let Black Tusk’s bassist/singer Athon share the recipes of the Savannah, GA band’s top 5 favorite things they’ve ever grilled. Check out his top 5, and make sure to pick up a copy of Black Tusk’s new album Set The Dial, which hits stores on October 25 via Relapse Records.
Backyard BBQ has always been hand in hand with hanging out and listening to music with friends for Black Tusk. It doesn’t matter when or where we are. We are always up for starting up some charcoal and charring some flesh. These are some of our own creations, enjoy! Don’t forget to let the meat rest for a few minutes after it gets of the heat to keep it all juicy and never let your beer get warm or empty.
5. Bacon Wrapped, Sausage Stuffed Chicken Thighs
First get some boneless, skinless chicken thighs and marinate them in some Italian dressing for a bit. When ready, uncase some fresh sausage. I prefer andouille. Place the sausage inside the chicken and then wrap with some thick cut bacon. Tie the whole thing up with butcher twine to hold it all together. Throw it on indirect heat and flip once. Cut off the twine and enjoy.
4. Black Tusk Blue Cheese Burger
This one was featured on Metal Sucks’ Cooking Contaminated. Start with some ground beef and season with garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Make two small patties and toss a generous bit of blue cheese in between them and smash together. Slice some red onion and let it sit in vinegar and sugar. Grill the burger till the cheese starts to leak out of the meat and toss it on a bun. Throw on some of the pickled onions, dress it to your taste, and slather on some bbq sauce.
3. Bacon Explosion
This is a straight up pig bomb. We didn’t invent this one but it still rules! Take two pounds of bacon and weave it together. Render down two pounds of bacon in a pan and mix it up with two pounds of uncased sausage. Put the sausage on the bacon weave and place boiled eggs in the middle of it all. Pour on some bbq sauce and sriracha sauce then wrap the sausage around the eggs and the bacon around it all. Grill, slice, and enjoy the porky goodness.
2. Bourbon Soaked, Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp Kabobs
This was our featured dish in the Mosh Potatoes cookbook. Let some proscuitto soak in a bowl of your favorite bourbon. Marinate your shelled and deveined shrimp in some olive oil, garlic, onion, chilli powder, and oregano. Wrap your shrimp with the soaked meat and skewer them with pieces of green pepper, onion, and pineapple. Drink the rest of the bourbon while you grill!
1. Whole Wild Hog
There is nothing better in the BBQ world than a recently alive wild pig. This is the most time tested and tasty meal ever. Simply place the hog on a smoker and baste with a vinegar, sugar, tomato paste and black pepper sauce. When the skin is crispy and the meat is fully cooked and juicy throw the whole thing on a table covered with paper. Start pickin and dippin in the left over mop sauce. The key to this dish is don’t be shy and rip off a big ass chunk before it is gone. If you are really smart you will get to the tender loin before anyone else!
