2024 Guide to The Big Bite Tour

100%REAL CHEESE

PEEL OPEN AN EASY AND DELICIOUS SNACK

GUIDE TO GRILLING

THE BITE TOUR’S SUMMER GRILLING TIPS

By Barry ‘CB’ Martin

PREPARING GREAT BURGERS:

Everyone has a favorite, but I use coarse-ground chuck – coarse because it holds together better and chuck because it has great flavor. And no more than 15% fat or watch out for flare-ups. Or even get leaner beef and add a bit of olive oil. Form the patties and season them to taste … then fold the meat over and press it back into patty shapes. Now the seasoning is on the inside which will evenly distribute the flavors.

PREPARING SUCCULENT STEAKS:

Beef cuts with marbled fat throughout are best for grilling over direct high heat. If I pay for prime or choice, I want to taste the meat, not a marinade. So I like a light sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and sea salt. If you must marinate, remember that acids in citrus or vinegar tenderize the meat. Marinades with sugar will quickly burn so keep an eye on them. Sear steak at high heats then finish the grilling at a lower temp, and let your steak rest for about ten minutes before slicing it that keeps every bite juicy.

PREPARING BETTER CHICKEN:

Buy the best quality you can afford, and fresh is best. Never let it reach room temperature, but try to avoid putting ice-cold chicken on the grill because that interferes with proper cooking. If you don’t brine your bird, then I recommend only a light seasoning of ground pepper and kosher or sea salt. You can also lightly spray chicken with canola oil to prevent sticking. Apply sauces and glazes during the final minutes of cooking the same may be true for dry rubs because spices can burn when exposed to high temperatures.

PREPARING VEGGIES AND FRUIT:

Either requires little prep and are delicious sides or desserts for your tailgating party. If you’re grilling with infrared, set it at medium-high. Brush whole or wedged veggies with olive oil to promote sear marks, then finish at lower temps. Turn every minute or two until fork-tender. For fruit, oil the grate to keep it from sticking. Slice peaches or plums in half and remove pits, then grill pulp side down, turning once (takes no more than 5 minutes, don’t let it get mushy). Slice bananas or pineapple lengthwise and place directly on grill.

Backyard Grilling Tips for Beginners

Before you begin cooking, you should preheat your gas grill for five to 15 minutes. The amount of time you use will depend on the healing power of your grill, the outside air temperature, and the type of food you’re planning to cook. If you have a charcoal grill,

allow the charcoal to burn until it produces a strong ember. Don’t start grilling while the fire is still blazing.

Bring Backup

Always keep a spare tank of propane, charcoal, pellets, wood, or your preferred fuel on hand, based on your equipment. The last thing you want is to waste hours setting everything up, only to run out of fuel halfway through cooking.

Proper Placement

Avoid cramming too much food onto the grill. Allow some room around the edges for steam and heat to rise, ensuring that everything cooks evenly. Arrange the food in orderly rows on the grill. This will help the food cook consistently and allow you to keep track of what went on the grill first so that you can turn and pull it first.

Choosing Your Foods

When choosing meat, you should stick to fresh, brightly colored cuts over frozen ones. It should also have a nice layer of fat and marbling with an even amount of thickness. It’s better to trim any fat off after the cooking process if you want it to be a little bit healthier.

If you’re planning to barbecue for a backyard party, you’ll want to do some preparation beforehand to ensure you and your guests have a great time. Check to see if anyone requires vegetarian or vegan options or has any allergies and other dietary restrictions. You might also want to buy snacks and drinks those guests can enjoy while you cook.

Utilizing these backyard grilling tips for beginners will help you start on the right foot. In no time, you’ll be grilling steaks and burgers to perfection.

WHAT’S IN THE BAG?

DO WHAT THE PRO’S DO AND BUILD YOUR PORTABLE COOKOUT KIT. YOU’LL NEVER FORGET YOUR GEAR AGAIN.

GRILL APRON

An obvious must-have. Don’t skip this!

NEWSPAPER

Perfect fire-starting material.

KITCHEN SHEARS

Whether you are snipping herbs or trimming a whole chicken, this is a must-have.

RESEALABLE PLASTIC BAGS

To marinate meat or soak skewers.

WATER-FILLED SPRAY BOTTLE

Tame flare-ups with a few squirts.

GRILL BRUSH WITH SCRAPER

Wrap the dirty head in an old grocery bag to keep your grill bag clean.

SILICON BASTING BRUSH

Natural-bristle brushes are OK, but silicon cleans easily and is melt-proof.

SALT & PEPPER

All a prime beef steak really needs.

ALL-PURPOSE MEAT RUB

A simple rub will go with most everything.

BUTCHER’S TWINE

Essential for tying up meat rolls and poultry. Keep it clean in a plastic bag.

PAPER TOWELS

Keep a roll on hand for blotting food, cleaning spills, and using as napkins.

NONSTICK SPRAY

Use it to quickly grease a grill grate (but never over an open flame).

PLANK

Planks are handy for quick smoke. Keep a few in your kit, just in case.

CULINARY TORCH

Forget matches or lighters. This is one of the best ways to light a fire.

LONG-HANDLE TONGS

Quality metal tongs are essential.

LONG-HANDLE METAL SPATULA

Use a grilling spatula for best results.

SKEWERS

Metal skewers are the best bet; wood skewers are fine but will burn unless soaked in water for at least 30 minutes.

CLEAN RAGS

Use them as makeshift grill mitts or to grease a grill grate with vegetable oil.

FOIL PANS

To use as a drip pan or mixing bowl.

ALUMINUM FOIL

The most versatile item in your kit, foil can be used to bundle food, line pans, shield skewers from heat, form a makeshift drip pan, or cover resting steaks. Never leave home without it!

MEAT THERMOMETER

For optimal food safety, take temp of beef, chicken, and pork to ensure doneness.

Hfair foods of all time

ave you ever been to your local town, county, or state fair? If not, then you’re not onlymissing out on a ton of fun, but also a whole bunch of fantastic foods. Of course, mostfair foods are deep-fried or otherwise unhealthy, so dieters beware. However, even themost disciplined calorie counters deserve a cheat meal, and we highly recommendusing it on one of our 25 favorite fair foods of all time. If you can’t make it to a nearbyevent or even a traveling carnival, we also included a few recipes to keep things festivein your own kitchen!

BLOOMING ONION

Also known by the names “onion bloom,” “onion flower,” and “onion blossom,” this aesthetically pleasing snack celebrates the best way to eat an onion: deep-fried. And, with all the pieces sticking up separately, it’s perfect for sharing (if you must). Think of it like eating at Outback, except outside.

BOILED PEANUTS

Boiled peanuts may sound gross, but… ah, who are we kidding? They’re totally weird, and we almost guarantee you won’t like them on your first try - especially if you’re usedto the crunchy kind. But as most Southerners will tell you, it’s an acquired taste

CARAMEL & CANDY APPLES

Like regular apples, caramel and candy apples seem to have a season that runs from thelate spring to the late fall. We can’t really explain it, since apples are usually available year-round, but we suppose absence makes the heart grow fonder. In addition to the regular caramel – and candy-dipped varieties, there are also versions covered in nuts or drizzled with chocolate and/or white chocolate.

CHEESE CURDS

Our friends in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the rest of the Midwest know cheese curds (sometimes called “squeaky cheese”) are a year-round snack. For the rest of us, we have to settle for only experiencing them as fair food. If you’ve never tried fried cheese curds, they’re kind of like bite-sized mozzarella sticks, except made with cheddar instead of the mozz.

CHEESESTEAK

Like cheese curds in the Midwest, cheesesteaks are a staple in the greater Philadelphia area. But if you don’t live in the land of Benjamin Franklin, “It’s Always Sunny,” and the so-called meanest sports fans in America, head down to your state or county fair to try sliced steak topped with peppers and onions and covered in ooey-gooey cheese. Did you know you can make your own cheesesteaks at home in your slow cooker?

CHURROS

Churros are a choux-based, sugar-covered pastry popular in Spain, Portugal, France,and the Southwestern United States. They make for perfect fair food because they are long, thin, and sturdy, so you can easily eat them one-handed while checking out rides or playing carnival games (just don’t bring them onto the actual ride).

CORN DOG

Corn dogs aren’t just the quintessential fair food, they’re also the ultimate summer food. That’s because similar to churros, they’re easy to eat one-handed and are a lot less messy than their regular hot dog counterparts. Oh, and if you haven’t discovered this next fact yet: they go great with an ice-cold beer.

COTTON CANDY

You gotta believe the inventor of cotton candy once said to himself, “I like candy, but I wish there was a way to cut out all of the non-sugar ingredients.” Well, they succeeded, as The New York Times once stated that the treat “is almost 99.999 percent sugar, with dashes of flavoring and food coloring.”

CURLY FRIES

Why is it that the French fries available at fairs and carnivals are almost always of thecurly variety? If you ask us (and few people do), it’s because curly fries are the silliest and most fun type of fry available – which makes them perfect for outdoor events. O course, they’re even more fun when topped with chili, cheese, or both, so be sure to go all out if given the option.

DEEP FRIED BUTTER

We can’t say that deep-fried butter is one of our favorite fair foods taste-wise, but more so because it is the epitome of foods served at these festivals. After all, one of the most unhealthy foods is butter, and one of the most unhealthy ways to prepare food is deep-frying it. After digging into this dish, you might want to take a few laps around the fairgrounds.

Party Planning Tips for the Summer

From graduations to birthdays, there’s always a good reason to throw a summertime party. Party planning takes diligence and prep work, but the payoff is priceless: happy memories. Set the stage for your perfect party — from creating the outdoor ambiance to picking a delicious menu with these helpful party planning tips!

CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT

Making your place guest-ready means getting the yard neat and tidy. You’ll want to have the lawn cut at least three days before the big day. Notice your garden looking a bit drab? Consider laying a few stepping stones to create a pathway from the gate to the patio while adding a cool accent to the otherwise green space. Warn off pesky mosquitoes by investing in citronella torches that create a fun tiki vibe, lighting up the night. Even if you are hosting outdoors,

you’ll want to clean up inside the house as well. Concentrate the areas that guests will see, such as the entryway, kitchen, and bathrooms.

SCENT THE GRILL

Here’s a clever tip for the grill buff: put fresh herbs and spices on the coals while grilling for a smoky flavor boost! Soak your herbs first. (Bundles of sage and rosemary are ideal, since they can take the heat once wet, and smell fantastic while they smoke.) Lay them directly on the coals while the herbs are still damp and once the smoke has cleared a bit, grill as usual. The process is similar to adding soaked wood chips to your coals—you don’t infuse every inch of your grilled food with smoky flavor, but you do get enough to be noticeable, which can make all the difference.

MAKE A BEVERAGE STATION

Keep everyone quenched with a selection of refreshing beverages. Blend your own fruit juices or whip up a pitcher of homemade lemonade, iced tea, or frozen margaritas. For an added touch of sophistication, consider offering a classic Bees Knees cocktail, ensuring something special for everyone. Want a prettier pitcher of water? Dress it up with fresh slices of cucumber, oranges, or a handful of fresh berries. This is best served out of a glass pitcher because it wins you points for presentation but also is convenient enough for guests to self-serve thanks to the handy spigot.

SET THE MENU

Whether you’re feeding 20 people or planning a cozy dinner for four, your menu is what your guests will remember. For smaller, intimate affairs, go for meats that ramp up the pizzaz factor like a nice cut of filet mignon or grilled salmon. Hosting a blockbuster bash? Keep it simple with everyone’s favorite handheld foods — burgers, hotdogs and ribs. (When sending invitations, you may want to ask if anyone has food allergies. Considering your guests’ dietary needs will make them feel loved!)

KEEP SEATING IN MIND

Sure, the cocktail setting works for about the first 45 minutes, mingling, munching, and standing. But after an hour in, people are going to want a place to relax into. If you’ve got a gazebo or wraparound deck, an outdoor patio sofa offers the ultimate comfortable yet functional solution. Resin rattan is often found in furniture that’s on the screened-in porch or a bright sunroom because it is versatile and hardy. In fact, it’ll be in great shape for the next 50 years, with proper care.

Now that you know these great summer party planning tips, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and call your friends and family over for a great time under the sun.

Get Tan This Summer at the Best Festivals… Not Burnt!

Summer vacation means it’s time to get outside and thoroughly enjoy the weather. Spending time in the sun has a lot of incredible effects outside of just a very nice tan. With just 15 minutes of sunshine a day, you can take advantage of many of its benefits. The easiest way to get your daily dose of vitamin D is just by spending a little time in the sun. Vitamin D can help strengthen your immune system and maintain your body’s calcium.

In addition to strong bones and a healthy immune system, sunlight triggers the creation of serotonin which will reduce stress and anxiety and help fight off depression. And if that all wasn’t enough, the sun can even improve your sleep by stimulating your body’s natural melatonin production.

All of these benefits come with brief, daily exposure to the sun. But if you’re interested in a little suntanning while you’re on this

summer’s RV vacation, here are some of our tips on the best way to safely maximize your skin’s glow.

SAFETY FIRST

Enticing as it may sound, you shouldn’t just lay out directly in the sunlight all day. It’s no secret that prolonged sun exposure can lead to a wide range of critical complications. Most people have experienced a painful sunburn, but the sun’s rays also contribute to heat rash, dehydration, eye damage, premature skin aging, and skin cancer.

To reduce your risk of longterm skin damage, it’s important to know how to tan responsibly. Make the most out of your vacation by sticking to these easy tips on getting and keeping your tan.

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

Common belief says that you should get a base tan before your vacation. Some just want to have that look before getting to their vacation destination. Others believe that a base tan is important to make it easier to tan during your trip. If getting a base tan is important to you, the most important thing to remember is to Stay away from the tanning booth!

Always avoid tanning beds! The UVA rays in tanning booths are all of the worst parts of UV rays, with none of the benefits of sunshine such as vitamin D. The lev-

el of UVA rays in a tanning bed is triple that which you are exposed to in natural light and has been shown to dramatically increase your chances of developing skin cancer.

If you do want to kickstart your summer-tanned look, stick to fake tan products in the bottle or spray. These products have come a long way and aren’t guaranteed to leave you looking orangey.

Prepare Your Skin

The best way to start your summer tan is with healthy, moisturized skin. Make sure to wash thoroughly and exfoliate your skin. This step will take off dry, dead skin cells and lead to a tan that lasts as long as possible. You can maintain your tanned skin by staying moisturized and taking cool showers, as the heat can encourage cracking or peeling skin.

Use aloe vera gel after tanning (even if you aren’t burnt) as a way to continue nourishing your skin. Don’t just nourish your skin from the outside. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water as well!

SUNTANNING ON THE ROAD

With your skin prepped and ready, it’s time to hit the road and enjoy suntanning as just one of the unlimited ways to enjoy time spent outdoors and with the people you like most. The first step to a perfect suntan starts the same way you should always prepare for being in the sun.

Put on Your Sunscreen!

That’s right — even if you’re trying to get a suntan, you still have to protect your skin. Wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and look for the words “broad spectrum” on the label. This means that your sunscreen is designed to protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays.

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to sensitive areas such as any exposed scalp or the tops of your feet or ears. These areas can be easily neglected but can lead to painful burns. Your face deserves a face-specific SPF product that will be extra gentle on your skin. And if you’re staying outside for a while or all day, be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours and after being in the water.

Know Your Limits

Did you know that your skin can only get a certain amount darker on any given day? Exposure to sunlight creates melanin in your skin which is responsible for making you look tan. But you can’t make an unlimited amount of melanin by staying in the sun longer. Everyone has a specific point after which their body just won’t make any more — usually after just

2-3 hours. After that time, you’re only putting yourself at increased risk with none of the benefits of being in the sun.

Managing your Tan Time

If you’re on an extended vacation, you have time to tan just a little bit each day. If you are trying to cram in sun time over a shorter stint, then maybe you can approach the 2-3 hour limit that your body imposes. The sun is strongest between about 12-3 pm, also usually the hottest part of the day, and those with fair skin should be sure to tan outside of those hours to reduce the risk of sunburn.

No matter what time of day

you choose to focus on being in the sun, it’s important to change positions frequently to both tan evenly and also reduce the risk of burning in a particular spot. If you do already have a burn, it’s vital to cover up that area to protect it from further harm.

A hat and sunglasses will also help to protect your face and eyes, which are more sensitive. If you can take breaks, do so! You’ll lower the overall UV intensity you’re exposed to as well as your sunburn risk. Together, this can lead to a longer-lasting and healthier tan, even though it’ll take a little longer to achieve it.

THE LARGEST TRAVELING EXPERIENCE AT THE NATIONS BEST FOODS & MUSIC FESTIVALS.

THINGS

to Pack in Your Picnic Basket

You’ve got the food, the location, and some good company. All that stands between you and a lovely outdoor meal is a well-packed picnic basket. Whether you have a proper wicker hamper or a canvas tote bag, fill it with these picnic essentials. Prepare for any situation by adding these ten things to your picnic basket.

1

FROZEN BOTTLES OF WATER

The main rule for outdoor eating is to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Ice packs do the job, but frozen water bottles do double duty. After they melt (and the food’s been eaten), you’ll have cold drinks on hand for everyone.

2

CORKSCREW/BOTTLE OPENER

If you’re packing wine, beer, or soda bottles, toss a corkscrew with a bottle opener in your bag. (Plastic or reusable cups with sturdy, flat bottoms are always a thing to pack too.)

3

WET WIPES

Pre-moistened wipes will keep hands clean and help clean up sticky spills, even if there’s no running water nearby.

4

SALT AND PEPPER

Seasoning is a small thing to include, but it goes a long way in making your picnic feel more thoughtful—especially if you’re eating fried chicken.

5 6 7 8 9 10

PAPER TOWELS

You never know when you might have a big spill on your hands. And a roll of paper towels won’t blow away like a stack of napkins.

A TRAY

A lightweight plastic or enamel tray will provide a smooth surface to prevent drinks from toppling over.

SERVING SPOONS

Cutlery is essential, but remember to bring a large spoon or two for serving food.

FOLDING KNIFE

A small folding knife will come in handy for various tasks and is essential if you’re serving meats and cheeses.

CUTTING BOARD

A lightweight cutting board is also a good idea if cheese is on the menu or if you’re slicing sandwiches or fruit.

TRASH BAGS

Always throw a trash bag or two in your bag for easy clean-up when the picnic’s over. Even if there are plenty of trash cans nearby, your own bag will save you from having to walk back and forth to throw everything away.

BANDS BEADS

BANDS

BEADS

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CRAFTS

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