We are very excited to be ranging the Spinifex Brewing Co “Cable Beach” Sunset Ale in our BBQ Hampers.

The Spinifex Brewing Co. journey began in 2019 with the development of the world’s first native infused craft beer range, Spinifex Brewing Co have rapidly grown to bring the tastes of Western Australia to our community.

They are proud to be supporting a range of local Aborignal farmers who grow and harvest botanicals for Indigenous partner supply organisations; Rivergum and Bin Dam Mie.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.d.

Smokey Q Rubs & Sauces feel honoured and are super excited to be involved in our latest Collaboration with Bethesda Softworks for the launch of Arkane Austin’s Redfall and creating the brand new ‘Bite Back’ spice rub. Taste your victories as you join the game’s heroes in taking the fight to the vampire legion laying siege to the island town of Redfall.

The ‘Bite Back Rub’ brings the taste of slain vampires to your table in a 100% natural, gluten free and vegan friendly spice mix. The delectable spice rub comes with a bit of heat and a whole lot of flavour, and while there are no actual vampires in it, the Bite Back Rub includes charcoal powder for that signature Smokey Q taste. The perfect flavour combination whether you’re squadding up and cooking a feast for your teammates, preparing a roasted snack, or slaying alone while adding an ashen flair to your fries.

“At Bethesda ANZ we’ve developed quite a taste for creating new and unique ways for fans to experience our award-winning worlds,” said Simon Alty, VP and Managing Director, Bethesda APAC. “Partnering with Smokey Q allows us to do this in a new way, packing the spice and punch of Arkane’s Redfall into a sachet perfect for gaming sessions after your next weekend barbecue.”

“We were delighted to bring our BBQ expertise to this partnership to create something wholly unique for fans in Australia and New Zealand – whom we know absolutely love their BBQ’s,” said Founder Paul Lange. “Making vampire ash, not only edible but also delicious, was a fantastic challenge, mixing in a variety of spices that’ll ensure anything you add it to tastes more fang-tastic than before.”

Redfall fans hungry for a taste of this limited-edition collaboration should keep an eye on Bethesda ANZ’s social media channels to learn more about how they can win their own pack of Bite Back Rub or order directly from https://www.smokeyq.com.au with all profits going to support Cure Cancer’s blood cancer research.

Redfall will be available on Xbox Series X|S and PC on May 2, 2023. Players can pre-order now or play day one with Game Pass. For more information on the game,

➡ please visit bethesda.net/en/game/redfall

https://press-start.com.au/news/xbox/2023/05/01/redfalls-got-its-own-bbq-spice-rub-so-all-thats-missing-is-the-stakes/

https://stevivor.com/news/diversion/redfall-smokey-q-team-up-for-a-spice-rub-supporting-cure-cancer/

https://www.thegamecrater.com/redfall-bethesda-and-smokey-q-partner-for-new-bite-back-spice-rub/

https://powerup-gaming.com/2023/05/02/bethesda-anz-and-smokey-q-team-up-for-redfall-inspired-bite-back-bbq-rub/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMwl8vmc2tU

#socialmedia #collaboration #research #experience #brand #gaming #newzealand #australia #bloodcancer #charitysupport #bbqlife #xbox #redfall #bbq #perthisok #gamersofinstagram

Who doesn't love a good old-fashioned BBQ?

Last year we partnered with https://www.ardbeg.com/en-int 

When it comes to crafting the perfect barbecue experience, there are two essential elements that enthusiasts seek: smokiness and depth of flavour. Inspired by the remarkable characteristics of Ardbeg WEE Beastie whiskey, Smokey Q has embarked on a culinary adventure to create a bespoke BBQ rub that captures the essence of the iconic peaty spirit. Join us as we delve into the world of Smokey Q's Smokey & Peaty BBQ Rub, an exquisite blend that brings together the best of both grilling and whiskey enjoyment.

Unleashing the Beast: Ardbeg WEE Beastie Whiskey: Before we dive into the BBQ rub, let's explore the captivating characteristics of Ardbeg WEE Beastie whiskey. This peated single malt Scotch whisky is renowned for its intense smokiness and complex flavours. It takes its name from the legendary "Wee Beastie," a creature believed to inhabit the Ardbeg Distillery on the rugged shores of Islay, Scotland. The WEE Beastie exhibits robust peatiness, combining notes of bonfire smoke, dark chocolate, and a distinctive peppery finish. It's a dram that awakens the senses and leaves an indelible impression.

Capturing the Essence: Smokey & Peaty BBQ Rub: With the aim of replicating the mesmerizing flavours of Ardbeg WEE Beastie in a BBQ rub, Smokey Q set out on a quest to create a blend that would transform any backyard grill session into a culinary adventure. The result is the Smokey & Peaty BBQ Rub, a bespoke blend that pays homage to the finest aspects of both barbecue and whiskey.

Smokey Q has carefully selected a range of ingredients to achieve the perfect balance of smokiness and peatiness. The foundation of the rub is a combination of high-quality hickory smoked paprika, ensuring a rich and deep smokey flavour. To capture the essence of the Wee Beastie, a medley of spices, including black pepper, cumin, and coriander, add complexity and depth to the rub. Finally, a touch of brown sugar and sea salt brings out the natural flavours of the meat while balancing the smokiness and peatiness.

The Grilling Experience: When applied to your favourite cuts of meat, such as beef brisket, pork ribs, or even grilled vegetables, Smokey & Peaty BBQ Rub enhances the natural flavours and infuses them with a delightful fusion of smokiness and peatiness. The aromatic combination takes your taste buds on a journey, evoking memories of roaring bonfires and the distinctive Islay coast.

To achieve the ultimate grilling experience, pair the Smokey & Peaty BBQ Rub with a dram of Ardbeg WEE Beastie whiskey. The harmonious union of flavours between the BBQ rub and the peaty whisky elevates the entire culinary affair, creating a sensory symphony of smokey and peaty notes.

Conclusion: Smokey Q's Smokey & Peaty BBQ Rub is a testament to the art of blending flavours and the dedication to crafting exceptional culinary experiences. With its carefully curated ingredients and nod to the iconic Ardbeg WEE Beastie whiskey, this bespoke BBQ rub invites grill enthusiasts to embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other. Unleash the beast within your barbecue and savor the remarkable fusion of smokiness and peatiness with Smokey Q's Smokey & Peaty BBQ Rub. It's time to transform your backyard grilling into a true masterpiece.

5 Unforgettable BBQ Chicken Recipes

There are many instances in the life of a bland food-fearing human, where you need to cook a meal, but you aren’t prepared or have not planned for it. 

In these situations, as in so many others, we must turn to the saviour, our master, the sensei to our culinary efforts, Smokey Q  and the trusted, ever-reliable Barbeque or Barbie.

Too many times when partaking in a barbeque, we are subjected to bland, overcooked chicken, whether our own barbecue or someone else’s.

 A BBQ is a time-honoured Aussie tradition, friends and families gather for a delicious cook-up under the summer sun. However, during this BBQ, the barbecuer carelessly throws their chicken, the lord of all meats, onto their barbeque, with little to no seasoning whatsoever. This results in a bland, uncomfortable and chewy chicken.

 And just like that, a barbeque is ruined.

 This is because the BBQ chicken is king; steaks and sausages are his subjects. Therefore to ruin a chicken is to ruin the entire barbecue. However, to nail the chicken results in a beautiful, perfect day out for the family, complete with delicious food. To ensure that this is the case, we turn to Smokey Q. If the chicken is the king, Smokey Q and his rubs and Sauces are the king's robes, ensuring he is always cloaked in flavourful gold. Below we will lay out five BBQ Chicken Recipes that require minimal effort but guarantee maximum flavour.

Four of these recipes are beautifully simple, and one a little more involved with slightly more preparation, giving you a variety of choices whatever the barbecuing situation. All of these BBQ Chicken Recipes ensure you will never get caught looking down at a plate thinking, What If? What if I just trusted my gut and purchased SQ Sauces or Rubs? Well, then you wouldn’t be stuck with bland and unseasoned chicken. What if I had just saved, downloaded, or screenshot one of these recipes for BBQ Chicken? Well, then you would be a master barbecuer, prepared to BBQ the perfect chicken in all circumstances. And if you have just realised your mistake and need some Smokey Q products urgently, or if you open the pantry and despair because you have used all of your Smokey Q rubs, don’t worry, we have express shipping, and delivery times are very prompt.

Chicken for a BBQ

As mentioned, a BBQ, barby q or Barbie is a quintessential Aussie tradition that has provided delicious food for our families for generations. Whether at Christmas, a birthday, just some mates getting together, a family gathering, or even just a solo BBQ for your enjoyment, this charring of deliciously crispy meat is one of the cultural traditions that connects our communities and loved ones.

In the world of Barbecuing, there is no more incredible feeling than devouring a crispy and tender piece of Chicken. The crispy skin bursting with mouthfuls of flavourful juices is the primary reason that we love a big family barbie. Juicy steak or slow-cooked pork ribs are wonderful meats in their own right, however, they are not as universally appreciated as a perfectly barbecued chicken.

Which Cut of Chicken is best for BBQ?

At Smokey Q, we understand that the glory of chicken takes many different forms. Different variations of barbecued Chicken always take the centrepiece of any bipartisan barbeque. In this way, a well-done chicken can make a barbecue for the ages, however an under seasoned or overcooked chicken can make you the laughingstock of the gathering. The quality of the barbecue rests on the quality of the chicken. This responsibility to create a perfectly tender, crispy chicken can be overwhelming.

Because where do you start? The list of options is very long, Butterflied Chicken, Maryland, whole spinning chickens, voluptuous breasts or juicy thick thighs, meat on sticks to crisp wings and drumsticks. So many options, so many recipes, the cuts and combinations are never ending. It can be overwhelming to decide exactly which is the best chicken recipe for your BBQ. However here at Smokey Q, we would hate for you not to feel like you did not have this under control.

Because the skills required to master a perfect chicken are not, in fact, godly.

A mere mortal can achieve the same crispiness and delightful flavours that you see on a cooking show, or in a magazine. Simply follow our recipes to ensure that every time you go out to the barbecue you are plating up golden crispy goodness.

We revere a tender chicken breast, juicy and seasoned to perfection, however we also understand the beauty of a quick and easy crispy chicken drumstick, zesty, spicy and aromatic. Our recipes account for all of these varieties, giving you the perfect range of skills to create a barbeque that will go down in history.

Barbecuing Chicken with Smokey Q

Finally, the key to any chicken, whether a quickly prepared drumstick or a lovingly marinated breast, is the flavour. This is where Smokey Q rubs and sauces come in. These perfectly balanced, original and unquestionably premium Aussie BBQ rubs and sauces will turn your chicken and your barbecue from a possible failure, into a legendary cook-up. When combined with any chicken cut, these rubs and sauces can elevate your barbecuing chicken powers to a godly level.

The Smokey Q rubs and sauces will mean that the next time you proudly don your cricket cap, your footy jumper, slide into your favourite pair of flip flops and head out to the BBQ, you can be completely confident in your ability to cook the perfect chicken. Or when the kids are yelling, “mum I’m hungry”, you can reassure your motherly instincts, knowing that they will be served a BBQ chicken of the highest quality.

To conclude, these recipes give you the ability to create a mesmerising barbecued chicken that will go down in Australian folklore for years, if not centuries to come.

So without further ado, here are 5 ways to create unrivalled barbecued chicken, the envy of all your fellow barbecuers

The best Recipes with Chicken for the BBQ

The recipes to follow have come from depths of   All that is required is a quick easy and affordable marinade or rub  in any of Smokey Q’s rubs and sauces, such as  

1. Sweet BBQ Chicken Tenders with West Australian Smoked Honey
2. Tangy BBQ Drumsticks with Sriracha BBQ Sauce
3. Beautiful Korean BBQ Drumsticks With Zesty Australian Salt Blend
4. American-style char grilled BBQ Thighs with premium Bulls Head BBQ sauce
5. Crispy baked Chicken Wings with Spicy Chipotle

The ridiculously diverse range of flavours that are presented by this chicken breast recipe are something that must be tasted to be believed. The combinations of siracha for that spicy tang, a little dash of garlic, some lemon and pepper, make this breast an absolute necessity for any gathering in which you would like to flex your barbecuing muscles.

The blend of flavours are topped off with Smokey Qs Burnt Bees Smoked   of pure, Smokey West Australian honey, fired, smoked and packed with the essence of native Murray River Redgum wood chips. This extra dash of Aussie goodness elevates the breast to a new level. This is no ordinary chicken breast. It is a symphony of flavours that were meant to be together, bringing out the best in the chicken, and turning an average BBQ into an experience that will be remembered by all your mates, your kids, as the day they were “awakened” to the wonders of Smokey Q Barbecued Chicken.

Sweet BBQ Chicken Tenders with West Australian Smoked Honey

Ingredients:

• 750 gm of Chicken tenders
• 4 tablespoons of Smokey Q Smoked Honey
• ½ cup of Bulls Head BBQ Sauce
• 1-3 tablespoons of or lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon SPG
• Fresh coriander and Lime wedges garnishing

Honey BBQ Chicken Recipe Method:

Here's what you need to do:

• Use a large zip lock plastic bag and add your chicken breasts tenders.
• In a separate bowl, add your ingredients, including smoked honey, barbecue sauce, a drizzle of lemon juice, SPG salt blend and Bulls Head BBQ Sauce, making your ultimate BBQ chicken marinade.
• Then, pour the mixture inside the plastic bag over the chicken breast tenders.
• Seal the bag tightly and then shake the bag, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated with the ingredients.
• Put the bag in the fridge for at least an hour for marination. We recommend keeping the bag overnight in the fridge for extra delicious chicken tenders, but even an hour is enough if you run out of time.
• Once you are prepared to cook your chicken, preheat the outdoor grill at medium-high heat. Grill your chicken for at least 8 minutes. Flip the chicken at the 4-minute mark to ensure it's cooked evenly.
• Once your chicken is cooked, simply garnish it with your fresh herbs, and you are ready to serve your delicious, sweet, and tangy chicken.

Tangy BBQ Drumsticks with Sriracha Sauce

This powerful ensemble is bound to rock the Kasbah, the chicken drumsticks created from this recipe leaving you shocked in their simplicity. The time-honoured chicken drumstick is a beautiful thing, hand held delivery for maximal ease when you need to quickly and efficiently stuff your face full of flavourful, crispy chicken.

When speed and efficiency is vital, a drumstick provides you with an easy option for a quick and nutritious meal, whereas on the bone chicken usually takes hours to ensure proper variety of tastes.

With this recipe, you can create the perfect drumstick in a short amount of time without sacrificing any flavour whatsoever.

These BBQ drumsticks are quick to prepare, and results in mouth-watering golden brown chicken, with an unrivalled range of flavours, revolving around distinctive tastes such as zesty sumac interwoven with bold paprika, coriander and oregano contrasting wonderfully with the tender sweetness of brown sugar, the mild tang of a kaffir lime.

Normally this range of flavours would require hours of preparation, however they are all available in our one Smoky Q BBQ Rub. A quick and easy dry marination of the drumsticks in this Smokey BBQ Chicken Rub creates a BBQ drumstick that is astonishing in its flavours, and ridiculously easy in its preparation. A must have recipe in any Australian cookbook, and a must have chicken rub on the shelf on any Australian pantry.

Ingredients:

• 10 chicken drumsticks (depending on the size of party)
• Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Smokey Q chicken rub
• Bulls head Sriracha BBQ Sauce

Recipe:

• Use the Smokey Q chicken Rub blend to season your drumsticks.
• Let the drumsticks dry marinate for at least 1 hour in the fridge. This will dry the skin out helping the ensure crispy skin.
• Pre-heat BBQ or over to 200c for 30 mins then drop heat back too 170c and cook for about another 15 mins until golden brown
• 10 mins before removing from BBQ or oven give them a good lashing of Sriracha BBQ sauce to glaze them well.

Korean and Aussie BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with Zesty Australian Salt Blend

Some of us prefer to be slightly more multicultural in our meal preferences. A particular option that has risen to popularity recently is Korean BBQ chicken. It is a much-loved dish in many Australian households; however, the fact remains that not all Korean BBQ chickens are created equal. This is a dish that requires commitment and determination to perfect.

However, when you taste a Korean drumstick that is seasoned to perfection, tender and juicy with the perfect balance of flavours, it takes your taste buds on an unforgettable journey to the smoky streets of Korea, to the flavours and experience of a true Asian cuisine.

Our Spin on this international sensation is like a beautiful cultural melting pot combining historic Korean and Aussie ingredients to create a beautifully balanced and multicultural chicken dish. Olive oil, sesame seeds, ginger and sriracha combined with parsley and rice wine vinegar to create an irresistible BBQ chicken experience.

The finishing touch is a pinch of Smoky Q  zesty salt blend, giving the chicken a signature zestiness of Australian salt, lemon myrtle and garlic.

Korean BBQ chicken has become a household name in Australia, however through this recipe you can harness the full power of the Korean BBQ, and combine it with some signature Aussie zestiness, one of Smokey Q’s unique creations, to create a delightfully flavoursome Korean/Australian BBQ chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1 KG of chicken drumsticks
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon of minced ginger
• 1 tablespoon of sriracha or hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
• ¼ cup of soy sauce
• ¼ cup of honey
• Smokey Q Zesty Salt to taste

Recipe:

• Start with preheating your oven to a temperature of 200c.
• To make your delicious sauce, take a bowl and mix your soy sauce, ginger, sriracha, garlic, sesame oil, honey, rice wine vinegar, and olive oil together.
• Place your chicken drumsticks on a baking dish.
• Pour the sauce gently over every drumstick. Make sure to flip the pieces and pour the sauce again, so the chicken is completely covered in the sauce.
• Then, in the oven, simply bake your chicken for at least 20 minutes. Brush the chicken with the sauce again after 20 minutes and let it cook for at least another 15 minutes. This will ensure the chicken is juicy and cooked well.
• Once done, take out your chicken and garnish it with some sesame seeds and chopped coriander and fresh sliced chilli.
• Then, sprinkle some of your zesty salt over the chicken.
• Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes, and now it's ready to serve.

American-style char grilled Chicken Thighs with premium Bulls Head BBQ sauce

In contrast to the delicate flavours of a well-seasoned Korean drumstick, another style of BBQ chicken is the bold explosion of tastes presented in an American style sticky BBQ chicken with our Trademark Bulls Head Sauce. This recipe is based around Smokey  Q’s honest, powerful and unflinching American-style BBQ sauce, with hints of tamarind and vinegar. This base provides the depth of flavour from which to build a unique and delicious American BBQ chicken with Smokey Qs sauce, giving that underlying BBQ sauce flavour, developing a rich array of mouth-watering sensations straight out of America's deep south. Charred on a BBQ to give it a crispy, crunchy and Smokey finish, this variety of BBQ chicken is a full-on assault of beautiful salty sweet tangs. A punchy combination of rich American flavours and unique, chargrilled Aussie crunch, based around Smokey Qs distinctive Bulls Head Sauce, this is an unbeatable BBQ option for any gathering.

For that true American flavour we added a few nips of good Bourbon to our BBQ Sauces for glazing to give it that deep rich flavours loved in the deep South of the USA.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken thighs skin on bone in
• Smokey Q Honey & Bacon Rub
• Bulls Head BBQ Sauce
• 30 ml Bourbon whiskey

Recipe:

• Pre-Heat the oven or BBQ to 200c.
• Place your Chicken in a roasting tray, and then season it with your Honey & Bacon Rub, let it sit for 10 mins prior to cooking.
• Then cook on 200c until it get some good colour on skin then reduce heat too 170c until cooked through.
• Put some Bulls Head BBQ sauce and Bourbon in a bowl and mix well.
• Before removing from oven or BBQ give them a generous glaze of the bourbon and BBQ Sauce to give them that sweet stick glaze.

Sweet BBQ Chicken Wings with Spicy Chipotle Rub

Finally there are the chicken wings, another vital component in any good barbecuers recipe book. The wings of the chicken can provide an awesome crunch and beautiful crispiness, however they must be prepared properly. A soggy or under seasoned chicken wing is a thing of nightmares, however a crunchy, spicy chicken wing is the stuff dreams are made of. To properly prepare a chicken wing, spice is the absolute key. Deciding on the correct spice can be a difficult thing, however we have the perfect combination of flavours already in our chipotle rub , packed into a small accessible bag, ready to be delicately sprinkled over the perfect chicken wing. Spicy, sweet chipotle goodness with chilli flakes, garlic and onion, topped off with smoky, beautiful paprika. The beauty of a good chicken wing lies in its simplicity, and this chicken wing recipe is ridiculously easy to remember, however the crispy, spicy crunch provided by Smokey Qs chipotle rub is an experience that is impossible to forget.

 Ingredients:

• 1 Kg of chicken wings
• Smokey Q Chipotle rub
• Bulls head BBQ Sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh Parsley Garnish

Recipe:

• Preheat your oven or BBQ to 210c
• Put your chicken wings in a large bowl and drizzle some olive oil over them.
• Sprinkle the chipotle rub on the chicken wings and make sure they are coated well.
• Place the chicken on the baking rack in the oven and let them cook for at least 30 mins on 210c.
• Turn your chicken and let it cook further for 20 mins on 180c
• Cook the chicken until it is slightly crispy and golden.
• Before removing from oven or BBQ give them a good baste with the Bulls Head BBQ Sauce for that extra sweet spicy kick

Bottom Line

The key to becoming a master BBQer lies in the Seasonings and Sauces used place selecting the best ingredients. With the knowledge contained above, you can enter any family dinner party, Christmas gathering, night on the beach, any casual cook-up, knowing that you have the full knowledge and skills to master the important art of barbecuing a chicken. Whenever your friend drops the subtle hint that it might be time for some chicken, you can bring out your glorious, crispy chicken breast adorned in a wonderfully diverse range of Korean spices, or your powerfully charred American style BBQ chicken. Perhaps you will opt for a beautifully spicy, smokey South American inspired chipotle wing. The barbecuing world belongs to the master of the barbecued chicken. However, the key ingredient in all of the above recipes is the harnessing of powerful flavours to compliment the beautiful texture of a juicy chicken. These flavours, or mixtures of flavour, are all provided in our Smokey Q BBQ sauces and rubs. The distinctly Australian flavours that are available in all of our products give the power of the barbecue to you, with a simple bag or jar packed full of distinctive flavours. If your mouth is watering and your stomach rumbling for some delicate, powerful, beautifully seasoned BBQ chicken, then resist no longer. Our website  is waiting, and in the products section you will find all the rubs and sauces required to become a BBQ chicken master.

Advantages of Using Dry BBQ Rubs

The big advantage of dry rubs, and the reason we love using them so much, is that they don't add any additional moisture to the exterior of a piece of meat the way that a marinade does. Whenever you apply heat to chicken thighs, pork chops, or any other piece of protein, the moisture on the surface needs to evaporate before a sear can start to develop, so dousing them in liquid beforehand doesn't make a whole lot of sense. A dry rub—which is, naturally, dry—is going to put you on a faster track to the beautifully-caramelised crust you're after.

But while a dry rub is our preferred pre-cooking treatment for meat, there's nothing wrong with incorporating a liquid element after you've gotten some browning going. We love glaze, we use our cold smoked honey and barbecue sauce, onto during the last few minutes that they're on the BBQ, creating layers of complex, concentrated flavour.

That’s not to say a dry-rubbed piece of protein needs a secondary element. It doesn’t. If you balance all of the elements of a dry-rub correctly, that aggressively seasoned crackly exterior will hold its own. And by hold its own, we mean make you forget about marinades all together. Which you probably should do.

The four Ss

A good rub is like a good orchestra, it has a range of instruments to play all the notes in harmony. They are:

Sugar. Sweetness is a common addition because it is a flavour enhancer it helps browning and crust and bark formation.

Savoury. We speak of savoury as being a pleasant smell or taste, but in the culinary arts, savory flavours come from amino acids called glutamates, green herbs, some spices, garlic, and other flavourings.

Spices and herbs. Not all of them work on all foods, but the spice rack is full of great flavours. Paprika is often included, not so much for flavour as for colour.

Spicy. Hot pepper sensations, often called spicy flavours, are often in rubs because they add excitement, but go easy, not everyone likes it as hot as you do. Black pepper is common, so are ground hot peppers such as cayenne or chipotle. Ginger, horseradish, and mustard powder also fit in this category. 

Having the family over for Easter this year, along with all of those mouths that need to be fed? Or are you (fortunately) heading over to someone else's, but want to bring something more than the standard charcuterie board this time?

Easter is an absolutely ripper holiday. Four day weekend, family gatherings, kids running around collecting eggs, and far less of the typical stress and drama that usually comes with Christmas.
It’s casual, it’s fun, and it’s great for BBQing.

Whether it’s an entire extended family reunion, or just you and a few mates, one of the best ways to take advantage of the time off is a BBQ.

For some, this prospect can be stressful. Not only must we decide what to cook, we also want everyone to have a good time. That usually means making food that is delicious - and will keep Uncle Mike from heckling you from over the patio.

At Smokey Q, we understand the importance of delicious BBQing and the power it has to bring people together.
So whether you are the host with the most this Easter, or are wanting to bring a strong contribution to the sharing table, here are our Top 5 Easter BBQ ideas that will keep everyone happy for the whole long weekend.

1. Zesty Grilled Prawns

Iconic and Aussie, you cannot go wrong with this classic Aussie BBQ staple that will have the whole gathering picking away relentlessly. 

Buy some fresh prawns from your local grocer or defrost from frozen before drizzling olive oil all over. 

Sprinkle generously with a high quality salt-blend. We recommend Smokey Q’s Zesty Salt Blend, which combines high-quality Australian sea salt with the native lemon myrtle plant for perfectly zesty and tangy prawns. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice while grilling will grant additional zesty flavours.

Or, if you prefer your prawns a little more garlicy, a Salt-Pepper-Garlic salt blend will also do the trick - tasting and smelling amazing. 

Grill your prawns over a gas or charcoal barbecue on high heat (230°C-260°C) for about 2 minutes each side, before serving alongside your sauce of choice and some lemon wedges.

Super simple and sensational, zesty grilled prawns are a sure-fire hit at any outdoor BBQ gathering and are perfect for Easter.

2. Char-Grilled Chicken & Vegetable Skewers

Easy to serve, fun to make. Skewers are a BBQ gathering hit.

Chop up some chicken chunks and keep in a bowl.

Select some of your favourite veggies (we love capsicum, eggplant, onion, pineapple) and chop into similar sized chunks.

Drizzle olive oil over your chicken and coat generously in spices and seasoning. Smokey Q’s Chicken BBQ Rub is an ideal choice, balancing zesty sumac notes with kaffir lime, along with paprika, garlic and Italian herbs.  It goes with pretty much everything, but tastes particularly amazing on chicken (hence the name).
For added spice, adding a sprinkle of Chipotle BBQ Rub will give your skewers an authentic South-American kick that will smell and taste amazing.

Do the same with the vegetables before threading the chicken and veggies onto skewers (you can make some vegetable-only skewers for vegetarians/vegans). 

Lightly oil your grill gates and place on MED-HIGH heat (200°C-250°C) before grilling your skewers for between 8-11 minutes, turning sides every few minutes. Make sure your chicken is cooked through and that the skewers are lightly charred on all sides.

For added flavour, lightly glaze your cooked skewers in a quality BBQ sauce  and place on the heat again for a further 2 minutes to caramelise. 

Once served, these will vanish quickly.

3. Sticky BBQ Chicken Wings

Crunchy, sticky, tasty. Our Sticky BBQ Chicken wings will have your guests smiling ear-to-ear this Easter.

Start by preparing your barbecue for indirect cooking over medium-high heat (200°C-260°C)

In a large bowl, lightly coat your chicken wings with olive oil and season generously with any one of our favourite 3 rubs for chicken wings - Honey & Bacon if you want something sweet and salty, Chipotle BBQ for some Latin kick, or Chicken BBQ for a zesty and herby homerun.

We like to add some apple smoking wood chunks for these for extra smoky-sweetness, but this is simply an additional option.

Cook the chicken wings over indirect medium-high heat, with the lid closed, for 45 minutes or until golden and crispy

Brush your cooked wings with some Bull’s Head BBQ Sauce  or Cold Smoked Honey and cook for an additional minute or 2, creating sweet, sticky, absolutely irresistible chicken wings.

These wings are simple, easy, and taste absolutely amazing. The kids will lose interest in their Easter eggs in a second once these are brought out.

4. Roast Potatoes & Charcoal Corn Cobs

Roast spuds and charcoal corn cobs are a (relatively) healthy hit for any BBQ that will be popular with taste buds and arteries alike.

Pre-boil your potatoes before adding olive oil and generously sprinkling an SPG Blend or a BBQ rub (we recommend our chicken one) for ultimate flavouring. Roast at 180°C in an oven or on a weber kettle for about 50 minutes or until soft, turning occasionally (every 15-20 minutes or so). Serve on a plate and sprinkle with salt and herbs.

Drizzle olive oil over your washed corn cobs then coat with either a Chipotle or Charcoal seasoning rub.

Grill over a charcoal BBQ for ultimate charred flavours, although a gas BBQ will do fine (just add extra charcoal seasoning).
Grill until lightly charred before serving.

5. Whole Baked Fish w/ Lemon & Herbs

A whole baked or grilled fish is an absolute delight come Easter time. Whether you are religiously following the “no red meat” rule or not, a whole fish done well is a certified crowd-pleaser.

Buy a 500-800g whole fish from your local fishery (or catch it yourself - as we did, pictured above!).
Prepare your BBQ for indirect cooking over medium heat (190°C to 230°C: roasting setting). If you are using a Weber Q barbecue, set up your barbecue with a convection tray and trivet.

Prepare your fish as usual before stuffing the cavity with lemon slices and fresh herbs of your choosing. Drizzle some olive oil over the fish, and season generously with Smokey Q Zesty Sea Salt Blend. It is an absolute treat on fish.

Roast the fish over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, for 30 to 45 minutes until cooked to your liking OR until the internal temperature has reached 54°C.
The internal temperature will continue to rise 3°C to 6°C while resting (final doneness temperature for whole fish is 57°C).

Once done, serve with a fresh salad.

You’ll have the entire Easter BBQ grinning from bunny-ear to bunny-ear.

Sensational Flavours Made Simple

For more tips, tricks, and to shop a range of BBQ seasoning rubs and sauces that are chef-designed and restaurant quality at affordable prices, check out the entire Smokey Q range here.

Bring out the chef within and upgrade your grill game with Smokey Q.

Some honey of recent batches for our cold smoked honey has been crystalising lately due to many factors but is completely normal for this time of the year and is perfectly safe to consume.

The following information should help you understand about crystallisation of honey:
Over time, many types of honey will granulate, or crystallize. This is a natural process that can occur. The honey looks cloudy, and results in a separation with a liquid part on the top and a more solid, crystallized part on the bottom. Depending upon the original nectar source, this granulation or crystallization rate might differ from honey type to honey type, but it’s a normal occurrence, and not harmful in the least. This natural phenomenon happens when glucose (one of 3 main sugars in honey) spontaneously precipitates out of the supersaturated honey solution. The glucose loses water and takes the form of a crystal. The crystals form a lattice, which immobilises other components of honey in a suspension thus creating the semi-solid state. Many factors effect the crystallisation of honey – some batches never crystallise while other occur in a few days. Crystallisation can be stimulated by any small particles – dust, pollens, bits of very fine beeswax, propolis and air bubbles – that are present naturally in honey. These factors are also related to the type of honey and are influenced by how the honey is handled and processed. Additionally the composition of the various sugars in percentage terms changes in differing honey floral sources and that also effects the rate of Crystallisation.
Granulated (or crystallized) honey is just as safe to eat as non-granulated honey, but it can be easily restored to its natural state. Just warm up the container with the granulated honey in hot water. The crystals will melt and the honey will re-liquefy easily, although each time it’s re-heated, the honey will granulate slightly quicker than before.
Especially if you don’t use honey that often, it has the tendency to start to crystalize in the bottle and become hard. But, did you know that it doesn’t mean the honey has gone bad? It is quite easy to revive your crystalized honey so you can use it once again.
Get a bowl or measuring cup that is larger than the size of your honey container. Fill it with hot water, and then set your container of honey (make sure it is shut tight!) into the hot water. It will take about half an hour, but the honey will turn into liquid again, and the crystals will be gone.
Note: it is not recommended to microwave your honey container, as they are not microwave safe, and can even cause sparks. And it is also very easy to overheat honey in the microwave, so we recommend you heat your honey using the hot water method instead. PET packs are not suitable for Microwaves.
We trust this explains why it happens for you better.

We did it! Holy Shit!

We are the Western Australian Grand Champion's in the Pantry category for our Not Raw! Cold Smoked Honey,
"Burnt Bees" 🐝