Everybody who is enthusiastic, about barbecue likely has ideas about not only the meat but also the side dishes. Here are two good versions of classic Carolina accompaniments, coleslaw and hush puppies.
COLESLAW
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: At least 1 hour
Yield: 20 servings
This sweetish, apple-flavored slaw is an adaptation of the slaw made by Gary Ritchie, Gary’s Bar-B-Que, in China Grove, N.C. Some places use ketchup instead of tomato puree, and hot pepper sauce has been known to find its way into a recipe.
1/2 cup each: apple-cider vinegar, sugar, tomato puree
2 teaspoons each: salt, ground black pepper
1 medium head white or green cabbage, cored, coarsely grated
1. Combine vinegar, sugar, tomato puree, salt and pepper in small, non-reactive bowl. Toss with cabbage in large bowl until well blended. (Mixture may look dry at first, but there’s plenty of liquid to moisten cabbage thoroughly if you keep tossing.)
2. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories ………… 35 Fat ………. 0.1 g Saturated fat … 0 g
% calories from fat .. 3 Cholesterol … 0 mg Sodium ……. 265 mg
Carbohydrates …… 9 g Protein …… 0.8 g Fiber ……… 1.5 g
HUSH PUPPIES
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 4 to 5 minutes per batch
Yield: About 3 dozen
Author Bob Garner developed this recipe and technique. “My friends tell me these pups are as good as any they’ve ever tasted,” he writes in “North Carolina Barbecue.”
3 cups self-rising white cornmeal, see note
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 onion, chopped fine
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons bacon drippings or shortening
Vegetable oil
1. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar and baking powder in large bowl. Stir in onion, buttermilk and bacon drippings until just combined.
2. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in large, heavy saucepan or deep fryer until thermometer reaches 350 degrees.
3. Spread 1/2-inch thick layer of batter on long, thin spatula, trimming excess from sides with knife. Push 1/2-inch wide strips of batter, with knife, into oil a few at a time. (Or, roll into quarter-size balls using floured hands.)
4. Turn hush puppies frequently for even browning, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Test kitchen note: If self-rising cornmeal is not available, add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda per cup of cornmeal.
Nutrition information per serving:
Calories …………. 90 Fat ………. 4.3 g Saturated fat .. 0.9 g
% calories from fat .. 49 Cholesterol … 1 mg Sodium …….. 160 mg
Carbohydrates …… 11 g Protein …… 1.7 g Fiber ………. 0.8 g
