Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

I don't have a smoker so this book is mostly aspirational for me, but I live near 12 Bones. I love their food, and I love reading about how it's made. The book is beautiful and a really great read to learn about life in these parts.

The recipes included here are from the BBQ restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina. Everything you need to know about creating some of their famous recipes are included. The instructions are clear and the photographs mouthwatering. I really enjoyed some of the interesting twists on some of the traditional southern recipes. Any BBQ lover will love this book. It will make also make a wonderful gift.

Craving good Barbecue? It’s always available at the 12 Bones Smokehouse located in Asheville, North Carolina. Most of us can’t visit often unless we’re a resident, so it’s very nice that the owners and chefs have compiled an excellent cookbook: 12 Bones Smokehouse: An Updated Edition with More Barbecue Recipes from Asheville, NC. Anyone who likes good, authentic, southern barbecue and sides will want to check out this book.

As in any good barbecue cookbook, the first chapter sets out rules and good instructions for creating mouthwatering barbecue. It covers tools, equipment, and methods for perfect barbecue. The authors have included rubs and spice mixes which are very tasty and once made (very easy) be used in everyday cooking. The book also has a chapter on barbecue sauces and the flavors vary with ingredients like horseradish, fruit (cranberry, blueberry, pineapple), chili peppers, molasses, ketchup, and wine.

The side dishes included in this cookbook are excellent. There are several chapters with different southern dishes like pinto beans, collard greens, corn pudding, corn bread, and biscuits. There is a recipe for coleslaw and several or salads that go good with barbecue. There are even soups made with smoky ingredients, and pickled vegetables including kimchi. These side dishes are ones that real people will actually want to eat. Southern desserts are also in this book, and they are incredible: cakes, pies, cookies, mostly southern and rich and decadent.

The recipes are written in a straightforward manner and are easy to follow. Most important, however, is the fact that the recipes turn out picture perfect.

It’s always fun to recreate recipes from our favorite restaurants, and this cookbook makes it possible to create scrumptious southern barbecue dishes no matter where you live. Highly recommended.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I was kindly given a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review. I have lots of recipe books as I'm always looking for more ideas. I have recently been to a smokehouse so was ready to try some of these recipes. There is a great selection of recipes some you can cook on a bbq but also in the oven. The recipes are easy to follow with ingredients that are easy to find. The book has a good layout with plenty of pictures. I will definitely be using these recipes in the future.

Everything about this cook book is excellent. The author begins with explaining slow cooking, smoking. He goes over the difference between gas, charcoal, the meat itself, and then the different types of wood if you chose to any. Example they use cherry and oak because Hickory and mesquite are a more aggressive wood, (leave a stronger flavor unless that is what you prefer). They also use Alder wood for poultry, and fish. What is really good about this book is all of the recipes for brines, rubs, and the different sauces. Especially rubs most places and people do not give up what they put in theirs, here you get all of that in this book. Along with pickling recipes, how to make pastrami from the brine and forward, corned beef. They smoke everything from chicken, fish, to whole turkeys all in the book. Also a very good section on making sides, and then ends with desserts, with a chocolate whiskey cake with coffee bean that looks very good and one that I will make for sure. A very good book to add to anyone’s collection.

Pretty darn good

I have a lot of barbecue cookbooks on my shelves and this one, is #2 in the smoked barbecue group. The writing is a bit uneven (at least in the ARC I have) but the recipes are clear, not terribly complicated, and are sure to please most everyone – even vegetarians.

12 Bones Smokehouse is a well-known restaurant in Asheville, NC. It started as a simple ribs joint and expanded over time. Today 12 Bones offers a range of traditional and updated smokehouse treats, many of which are presented in this cookbook.

This book was written by cooks, not professional writers and some of the introductory text is clunky and not as clear as it could be, but I would not let that keep me from buying the book. The recipes tell you what you need to know.

I made the mistake of reading this book when I was hungry and now, as I sit in a place where there is no hope of barbecue, I am starving to eat ribs, pulled pork, and cornbread. I am not a big fan of meatloaf, but if I had a Smokehouse Meatloaf in front of me I would probably be in heaven. The meatloaf is cooked open to the air, not deep dish, so it is crisp all over. I must say, though, that the written instructions on how to wrap this meatloaf are not clear. Fortunately, the photos are great at showing how to do the bacon lattice wrap.

Now I'm not a Southerner so I don't hold with battered deep-fried green tomatoes, they should just be floured and pan fried. But it's their restaurant and their cookbook. But I will gladly embrace the corn pudding despite it's being dryer than I am used to.

There's a mushroom and sausage casserole here that makes my stomach growl.

I'm sure you can tell by now that I am sold on this book. I think you will enjoy it a lot and get good use of it.

A Mouthwatering cookbook that has some great recipes for BBQ. If you need some simple, easy to follow recipes for cooking at home to impress family, friends, or yourself, then crack open cook. And try not to drool over the pictures!

Beautiful photos. Yummy recipes. What more do you want? Other than unlimited access to all ingredients and a well stocked kitchen? Nothing!

I am a cook and a baker, but I've never grilled or smoked before (and I'm certainly not counting my little cast-iron grill pan). There's something about it that's always intimidated me. That said, this book made me want to grill, and it especially made me want to get my own smoker asap. I had never heard of 12 Bones Smokehouse prior to getting the ARC for this cookbook, but their food certainly looks heavenly. Their claim to fame is their ribs, which President Obama was apparently a huge fan of. Well, if they're good enough for Barack, they're good enough for me.

Right off the bat, they give you the recipe for their famous ribs, both "nekkid" (no sauce) and with recipes for all their intriguing and offbeat barbecue sauces. Everything from the "tomato Q" to their famous blueberry chipotle to the spicy pineapple habanero are in these pages, among other recipes. Seriously, there has to be at least 15 different recipes just for barbecue sauce within these pages. They also teach you how to barbecue your way to glory with cuts of meat as diverse as bison ribs, pork cheeks, and your Thanksgiving turkey.

While I didn't try any of the recipes, they certainly sound amazing and in line with all the flavors I love. You'll find a lot of barbecue joint standards with a more modern, gourmet twist, such as a wedge salad with a smoky chipotle ranch and a mound of fried onions on top (drool), and a smoked gouda drop biscuits (also something I need to try immediately). Besides the main meat attraction, there's also lots of side dishes and even a number of exciting desserts, such as tres leches strawberry shortcake and peanut butter-banana upside down cake. Seriously, I am so excited about these recipes.

Even if you don't have a smoker or a grill like I do, there are plenty of things you can do with these recipes. I personally can't wait to make the blueberry chipotle barbecue sauce for baked barbecue chicken and ribs. It won't be the same as a trip to Asheville for the real deal, but until I can make a trip to Asheville, it'll have to suffice.

Oh yes, as a cookbook, this is hugely successful. The recipes are smartly laid out with little stories and spotlights on various ingredients/dishes. The design is stylish and elegant. There is a lot of text and honestly, I could have done with less bragging. I love reading the little blurbs preceding recipes, but here they got a little old after a while, as the only purpose they served was to talk up their restaurant. At times, I felt like the cookbook felt too much like an advertisement for their restaurant. Do we really need to read a long paragraph about a customer waxing poetic about their love for 12 Bones? This happens not once but multiple times throughout the book.

Overall, this is a really solid barbecue book, and if you're going to own any book about barbecue, this is a fine one to get, even if, like me, you've never even heard of this restaurant.

Learn the best barbeque techniques from the 12 Bones Smokehouse in Asheville, North Carolina. Get awesome recipes to achieve the best results from your barbeque. Includes their famous ribs, pulled pork, turkey, and chicken, plus iconic barbecue sauces like blueberry chipotle.

After a brief foreword and introduction describing the origins and evolution of 12 Bones, the book then begins with Chapter 1, The Essentials.

The Essentials covers the required basics for your barbecue success. Starting with Tools Of The Trade it breaks down each of the must-have implements you will need to start barbecuing. It continues on with Smoking Your Meat which discusses the various techniques for smoking, then Cooking Over Gas, covering gas grills. Next, Cooking Over Charcoal offers information on the various types of charcoal you can use for your cooking.

The Word On Wood discusses different types of wood fuel for your barbecue, followed by Brine: What, Why, And How, giving you the ins and outs and a simple recipe for brine. A one-page insert advises how to get the perfect grill marks every time when you’re using a direct heat method, and a two-page spread offers up the Top 10 Commandments Of Grilling.

Recipes And More Recipes

Once you have fully embraced The Essentials, the rest of the book is devoted to recipes. Recipe categories include:

Beef And Pork
Poultry And Seafood
Big, Bad Barbecue Sauces
Veggies, Salads, And Pickles
Rib-Stickin’ Sides
Southern Treats And Homemade Sweets

The first chapter of recipes Beef And Pork begins with A Word On Rubs, which gives you more information about marinades and rubs followed by 4 quick recipes.

The recipes themselves are excellently detailed and include an introduction followed by the yield. You don’t need much more than that because, like with many cooking techniques, learning barbecue is like chess. Easy to learn but takes a lifetime to master.

That said however I believe that anyone using these recipes and the detailed instructions, after reading The Essentials thoroughly, of course, will have excellent success.

Fabulous Reference Tool

Throughout the book are pages about various ingredients or techniques. This gives you a little bit more in-depth information which makes this book invaluable as a reference tool.

It is not recommended to read this book on an empty stomach. Full-page photographs for most recipes will drive you to the fridge again and again if you haven’t already eaten. The flavor combinations are rather unique. They might throw some of the traditionalists off, but will keep you coming back for more.

See the full review and the recipe for 12 Bones Tomato “Q“ Sauce at The RecipesNow! Reviews And Recipes Magazine. This review is written in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

The popularity of backyard barbecue has changed and grown to levels that far surpass what we once knew it to be. Now with the advancement in smokers and grills, almost anyone can smoke a piece of meat with minimum effort and that is too bad. Because that cheapens the process. 12 Bones Smokehouse is a throwback to the rubs and the methods that make smoking the food we love great.

Easy instructions and great recipes for the novice who wants to put in the time and the effort. They will not be disappointed!

Having eaten at 12 Bones in Asheville, I knew I HAD to check out this cookbook! the book is ALL about the North Carolina style of BBQ, which is about infusing the meat with flavor, via rubs, versus sauces which you may be more familiar with. Not that sauces are forgotten, but they are an extra layer, not the sole one here! But having said that, their Blueberry BBQ Sauce is the primary reason for you to get this book- it is hands down to DIE for. By this time of the year, we're all blueberried out from the summer bounty, but making that sauce? OH YEAH, we can carry blueberries on through fall BBQ season! We're planning on using the Smoked Turkey recipe for Thanksgiving this year, and I can't wait to taste it! You may find yourself wanting to try ALL the recipes in this book, as they are SO yummy! AND it makes a great gift for this upcoming holiday season to all your bbq and tailgating fanatics!

I loved this book!! I took my time on this book, (we just got a new Traeger Grill). This is a true smokehouse barbecue recipe book that doesn't disappoint, the recipes clear and concise, and the taste is above no other! This book gives you complete instructions and directions on how to make the best bbq in your neighborhood!! There are plenty of pictures so you can see what your recipe should look like, and a great variety of workable, delectable recipes! Count me in, I must have this great cookbook for grilling!! Definitely earns its 5 stars!
"I voluntarily reviewed this book for an honest review"

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Voyageur Press for my unbiased opinion of the book. OMG! I love this book. It had me at BBQ. I made the Sugar Bacon Brittle, Whiskey Cake with Coffee Bean Ganache, and Penny Cup Coffee Rub. All of it was out of this world!!! I can't wait to BBQ, bake, cook and love on these recipes. This will make a great Christmas gift for the beginner or expert. I wish I was able to eat the pictures!

Very nice cookbook. The recipes are outstanding and I will be looking to visit the restaurant when I go to North Carolina. This is now on my bucket list. The recipes are very straight forward and very easy to follow. My mouth was watering as I read this book!!! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Although I received the book in this manner, it did not affect my opinion of this book nor my review.

Most people think smoked meat cannot be made at home. They think you have to go to a fancy restaurant for quality. I have to admit, when I first decided to buy a home smoker, the process seemed daunting. I've been cooking for many decades and had never tried actually smoking anything other than fish. After reading several books on smoking meats, I decided this one was the best one to try. My family and friends are very glad I decided to try the recipes and suggestions in this cookbook. The recipes themselves are very clear and easy to follow using ingredients most cooks have in their pantries. They are not just for meat, you can find something that will please everyone. Not only have my cooking skills increased but at least two lucky people are getting this book for Christmas!

I love, love, love this book here. Im a southern country girl and we love to cookout on the grill. It be the best. This recipe book. cookbook is the bomb. I love the various things and ways that even I nor my family has ever tried. I can't wait to cook some of these delightful delicious recipes.

You are going to grill like a pro after reading this book! You are told what tools to use, which type of grill is best for you to use - gas, or charcoal, what type of wood will give you the desired flavor, and what, why and how to brine your meat.
The Ten Commandments of Grilling are introduced, so you do not burn the house down, take proper care of the meat, and keep on alert at the grill! You will understand how to make the proper meat rubs, with ground and even whole spices! There are rubs that use garlic, salt, ginger and oregano: other rubs use paprika, sugar, garlic and dry English mustard, ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store!
There is a strawberry jalepeno BBQ sauce that uses strawberries, jalapeno peppers, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Tomato Q sauce and molasses that sounds delicious!
You will learn about the special care that you must use to keep pork and pork sausage from making you ill, you’ll learn how to make cabbage sausage rolls, and andouille, even pastrami!
There are recipes for a smoked whole turkey, and a smoked chicken shepherd’s pie, and a variety of recipes for sauces, that use ingredients such as pineapple,
Mayonnaise, pickles and even blueberries!
There is a chapter on veggies, salads and pickles, that has recipes for sweet vinegar coleslaw, cucumber salad, spicy ranch dressing and even collard greens - this being a Southern cookbook!
There are side recipes that include cornbread, corn pudding, smoky baked beans and smoked potato salad.
The dessert menu includes key lime pie, blueberry oatmeal cookies and peanut butter pretzel bars.
Enjoy making these rib-tickling BBQ recipes, you won’t regret it!

12 Bones Smokehouse is a great recipe book. It features many recipes with some wonderful pictures and is very easy to follow.