At Ken Rash’s we truly appreciate all our customers, and to show our gratitude we’ll be hosting a free EGGulance event on Satuday July 16th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m

Here is how to cook crab cakes on a Big Green Egg:

• Start with the right ingredients. You’ve got to have at least a pound of lump crab meat, two large eggs, two jalapenos, mayo, Panko and a touch of Big Green Egg Dizzy Gourmet Viva Caliente Seasoning.
• Use your Big Green Egg on convEGGtor mode. This will keep it at the ideal temperature for cooking up crab cakes, which is 375 degrees, of course.
• Keep an eye on your crab cakes. Depending on how you like your cakes, they could be done cooking in 18 minutes, 20 minutes or even longer. The key is to keep an eye on them and take them off your Big Green Egg when they reach the perfect shade of golden-brown.

We hope these tips show you how to cook crab cakes on a Big Green Egg this summer season. Contact Ken Rash’s of Arkansas for more grilling recipes.

            

When you slather it in Dizzy Pig Jamaican Firewalk Rub and set it on the grill.

Everyone knows that grilling chicken, shrimp and pork is the first step toward turning it into more than just fuel for your body. But not everyone is familiar with the fabulous flavor of Dizzy’s Jamaican Firewalk Rub — that’s what transforms meat from good to great.

The rub is comparable to a traditional “jerk” marinade. In fact, it’s recipe is based on Jamaican jerk flavoring, which is a complex blend of spices that has long been used on the Caribbean island.

Like a good traditional jerk seasoning, Dizzy’s version brings the heat. It brings the flavor. And it brings a hint of citrus thanks to Jamaican Allspice berries.

Dizzy Pig Jamaican Firewalk Rub is like taking a trip to paradise for a traditional Jamaican dinner, but you never have to leave the comfort of your patio.

To get your hands on this tasty rub, contact our team at Ken Rash’s Arkansas today.

            

Here’s a look at five healthy grilling recipes that are sure to tickle your taste buds:

• Pork and vegetable kebabs. It involves lean pork chops, zucchini, squash and cherry tomatoes–all cut up, put on skewers and grilled to perfection.
• Soy-Lime scallops with leeks. If seafood is your thing, you can’t go wrong with a pound of scallops combined with some soy sauce, vinegar and baby leeks.
• Skirt steak with chimichurri sauce. Grilling and red meat go together like … grilling and red meat. Try this recipe for something lean and mean.
• Grilled vegetables with Romesco sauce. The vegetables are the star of this simple, low-calorie meal.
• Spicy fish kebabs. The fish and the vegetables are great, but it’s the sauce–featuring cayenne pepper and orange juice–that really steals the show.

Hungry? Of course you are. And you can get everything you need for a great grilling experience at Ken Rash’s Arkansas.

            

Keep it clean you’ll be more likely to use it. The good news is that it’s easy to do if you follow these outdoor furniture cleaning tips:

• Use a squirt of dishwashing detergent with a bucket of warm water. It works for furniture made from wood, aluminum, wrought iron and plastic.
• Start with a scrub brush. Everything from dirt to debris to pet dander can gather on your furniture, so don’t be afraid to scrub vigorously.
• Rinse it liberally. Make sure you rinse away all the soap or you’ll be left with a sticky film all over your furniture.
• Remove rust immediately. If you notice any rust on your furniture, attack it immediately with a wire brush. Leaving it untreated will cause it to spread and become a bigger problem.
• Prime and paint the spots where the rust used to be. After you’ve scrubbed away all the rust, prime it and paint it. This will keep your furniture looking great.

Don’t let dirt and debris keep you from using your outdoor furniture. Find everything you need to keep it clean by connecting with Ken Rash’s Arkansas today.

            

Swivel chairs–Make sure you have a 360-degree view of your patio by investing in cool, comfortable swivel chairs. 

Teak–It’s exceptionally durable, holds up well against the elements and just came back into style as a furniture material. 

Organization–When you put a patio storage box out, your patio will always look clean, comfortable and clear of clutter. 

Concrete–No, it’s not for your floor–it’s for furniture that looks like wood but lasts a lot longer. 

Going big–Life and summer are both short, so you might as well spend them with as many of your friends and family members as possible–and make sure there is room for everyone by going with a big patio table. 

Uniqueness–There’s nothing wrong with buy traditional wooden Adironndack chairs–and then painting them to match your own personal style. 

Find everything you need to leverage the latest trends to transform your patio from good to great at Ken Rash’s Arkansas. 

            

Before you head outside, make sure to take a look at these summer grilling safety tips: 

Trim the fat. Removing excess fat from meat helps reduce the amount of grease that drips into your grill or Big Green Egg and prevents fire flare-ups and excess smoke from forming. 

Make sure it’s medium. There is some research to suggest that cooking meat and fish over high heat creates certain chemicals in the food that might cause cancer. Don’t cook over too high of a heat. Make sure it’s medium. 

Keep it clean. Using the same tongs and spatulas for different foods can cross contaminate food. Keep it clean. Make sure to use different utensils for each different type of meat you’re cooking. 

It’s summertime, so get outside and cook. Just make sure to be safe–and contact Ken Rash’s Arkansas for all of your outdoor cooking needs. 

            

Planning the perfect BBQ before sending the kids back to school? Or maybe you’re putting together a pool party to beat this wicked heat? Whatever your reason for outdoor party planning, we have eight simple tips to make sure your party is a success!

Manage the heat

Even if you have a pool, managing the heat during an Arkansas summer is a must! Providing shade for your guests should be a priority for al fresco parties. Umbrellas are a great solution; and if they are in free-standing weights, they can be moved around your area easily to accommodate shade regardless of the time of day.

Another added solution is a fan or an evaporative cooling system like our KuulAire. The KuulAire can lower an enclosed area’s temperature up to 25 degrees! Air circulation is also a great way to deter those pesky insects.

Manage the bugs

Bugs are a major turn off for outdoor parties, especially outdoor dining. While mosquito repellant sprays can be effective, they can also be a nuisance. You have to worry about spraying away from any food items and/or drinks. Not to mention, not all guests will want to layer on the DEET. A common solution is citronella candles. Citronella is a plant based oil. We offer it in candle form that fits into a variety of metal and ceramic holders. Our most popular candle is a version that will not blow out; it comes with its very own snuffer so that you don’t have to worry about relighting throughout the party. In addition to keeping the bugs at bay, the candles also act as an easy, hassle free tabletop décor.

Lighting the space

Candles also have the added benefit of taking a party into the evening hours by offering ambient lighting. For a party that stretches into the evening hours, or begins then, lighting is essential. Typically, ambient lighting is sufficient. Light some candles. String up a few sets of party lights. Enjoy a soft glow. Don’t light up the place like Clark Griswald.

Setting up the space

Seating is an often over analyzed problem when party planning. If you’re having 25 guests over, you don’t necessarily need 25 chairs. At a casual outdoor setting, your guests will be sitting, standing, and wandering around your space. If you have chairs for everyone crowding your space, your guests won’t be able to accomplish the standing or wandering. A great solution is a drum table or pouf. Small and inconspicuous, they can be used for seats, side tables for drinks, footstools, etc. We have a fantastic selection of both, so come check them out before your next party.

Setting the table

China or paper? You don’t want your guests to accidentally drop one of your favorite plates, but you don’t want to feed them on paper either (even though it would make clean up a breeze!). Melamine dishware is becoming more popular and for good reason. It’s sturdy and attractive. We offer one of the best brands in the business: Le Cadeaux. With beautiful patterns or simple details, these table settings will be sure to impress.

Mastering the grill

Grilling for your party is an excellent way to avoid catering, while catering to your guests. Grilling allows you to cook and mingle with your guests. Also, if you grill in smaller batches, it allows guests to eat as they are hungry as opposed to feeling obligated to eat when you set up a more formal table. Make sure you choose a grill you feel comfortable operating and enjoy cooking on. Come see us and we’ll help you pick out the perfect grill from our large selection.

Mastering the music

Choose the music based on your guest list. Be sure to create a playlist, or download one. That way you don’t have to worry about skipping songs in your library or listening to commercials. Real Simple Magazine recommends a classic rock or reggae playlist for a great summer party. It keeps the atmosphere upbeat and your toes tapping.

Mastering the weather

We wish, right? With any outdoor event, there is always a risk of rain. Don’t over think your contingency plan, but do make sure that you have a few areas in your home that are open enough to comfortably entertain your guests. Also, make sure to include on your invitations that the party is “rain or shine,” or your guests may assume otherwise.

Happy party planning!

*Stay tuned next week when we take on the age old debate: gas versus charcoal.

            

But when you use your Big Green Egg to smoke the turkey, your feast is transformed from good to great.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights from one of the best Big Green Egg turkey recipes you can make:

• Start with water–lots of water. Turkeys are big, and if you’re going to adequately marinade them in brine, you’re going to need to use at least a gallon of water to mix up your turkey covering concoction.
• Brush it with olive oil. The secret to making a savory smoked turkey on your Big Green Egg is brushing olive oil on the outside of the turkey before cooking it. This will make the skin crispy and hold in all the delicious juices.
• Let the Big Green Egg do the work. Load your egg with hickory chips, kick back and let it go to work for two-and-a-half-hours.

Now that you know the secrets to cooking smoked turkey, get the recipe, get your Big Green Egg from Ken Rash’s Arkansas and get cooking!

            

Of course, some pot pies are better than others–and they don’t usually get better than the Dizzy Pig chicken pot pie recipe. Here’s a look at how to cook one up:

Start with the right stuff 

Start with bites of all-white chicken meat. Add some savory vegetables. And then mix in just the right amount of spices. 

Don’t forget the dough

While the ingredients inside the pot pie seem to get all the accolades, the dough you use to create the crust is equally important. Make sure you get a high-quality dough. It will add a lot of flavor to your pot pie. 

Select the secret ingredient

This is a Dizzy Pig pot pie, so that can mean only one thing: You’re going to need to get your hands on some Dizzy Pig Raising the Steaks rub. Yes, it tastes delicious on steak, but it’s also absolutely wonderful on chicken. 

Now that you know how to cook up a delicious pot pie, all you need is the recipe and the secret ingredient, which you can get at Ken Rash’s Arkansas.