Smoking meat is serious business, especially in competition! You want people to experience the best food they have ever seen, smelt or tasted. One of things that are done to accomplish this is experimenting with different rubs and spices to see what flavor profiles you can create and find what really compliments the foods you smoke.

 Spices have little resins in them which will release when marinating with meat, when allowed to blend with the food it can make the world of difference from the average tasting BBQ to that which separates itself from the rest and is worthy of being an award winning BBQ meat!

  When you find a product that makes such a big difference in aroma and taste of not only BBQ meats, but sides and deserts you have to share it and let others experience it. THAT is what this article is about, that one product that can make a big difference in taste, flavor and aroma.

 A lot of individuals on the west coast have not heard or experienced Maple Pepper®, but if you have ever been in a kitchen in the morning and woke up to the smell of maple smoked bacon being fried in the kitchen, you can only imagine what maple flavoring can do to meats that are smoked!

 Highland Foods Maple Pepper® was first made in a country kitchen in Northern New England over 20 years ago. This family owned business uses only the finest natural ingredients, combining the age-old flavor of maple sugar, the zest of black pepper, and ocean fresh sea salt to bring you a deliciously versatile seasoning. There seasonings are pure and simple. Highland Foods, LLC is a family owned and operated business, offering its customers the personal attention you would expect and deserve.

 One of the most popular side dishes we make for both competition BBQ and catering is smoked beans. For this article we decided to include a recipe for smoked beans including the addition of Highland Foods Maple Pepper®.

 To make the best smoked beans known to man I would highly recommend the following recipe. This is my personal version of a popular recipe commonly found on BBQ forums. My wife and I have won a few awards with this recipe, and were sure you will be happy with it!

 Bossman’s Smoked Apple Beans

3 or 4 slices bacon, diced
2  28-oz cans Bush’s Baked Beans – see note below)
1/2 c. Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce (or other sweet-spicy favorite)
1 lb. leftover smoked pulled pork or 1 lb crumbled cooked pork sausage
1 can apple pie filling (chop up the big chunks some)

1 Tbsp.Highland Foods Maple Pepper® (or more to taste J)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp. Mustard (prepared)
1 Tbsp barbecue rub
Brown bacon, and sauté onion and green pepper in bacon grease. Mix in remaining ingredients. Smoke for 1 hour-2 hours or until the beans begins to bubble and a nice crust has built on the surface of the beans. Serves .15-20 people

I know once you try this recipe with Highland Foods Maple Pepper® you will be hooked! For those with adventurous taste they also produce a Habanaro Maple Pepper® and a Garlic Maple Pepper® which is just as good as the original Maple Pepper®!

 A link will be established on our website in the next couple of days (our webmaster is out of the country..) but until then please click on this link to order directly from Highland Foods. http://www.maplepepper.com  The cost for a 3oz bottle is $5.50 ea for the original Maple Pepper® and Garlic Maple Pepper® and $6.65 for the Habanero Maple Pepper®

Please let Highland Foods know you read the article here and that the Bossman referred you! Until next time Smoke On!!