Guest Recipe by Frederick Casagrande AKA Smoking Beards
Focus: Open Fire Cooking (Cast Iron & Grilling)
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Why This Recipe Works
This dish brings together three incredible fire-grilled meats, a rich and creamy blue cheese sauce, and golden-crispy potatoes, creating the ultimate Ramadan feast. The Smoking Beards® seasonings enhance each meat cut with their unique spice profiles, while the Southern Kissed Potatoes provide a smoky, flavorful side dish. Everything is cooked over open fire for an unmatched depth of flavor.
Equipment Needed
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven – For cooking potatoes
- Cast Iron Pan – For sautéing onions and shallots
- Metal Spatula – For roasting potatoes
- Grill (or Open Fire Setup) – For cooking the meats
- Tongs – For flipping steaks and lamb chops
- Small Pot – For preparing the blue cheese sauce
- Knife & Cutting Board – For prepping ingredients
Key Products Used
- Smoking Beards® The Southern Kiss™️ – For lamb chops & potatoes
- Smoking Beards® The Bayou Blaze™️ – For Taji Wagyu outside skirt steak
- Smoking Beards® The Original™️ – For Prime Striploin
- Pure Fire Lump Coal – Provides clean, hot, and consistent grilling heat
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Enhances the crispiness of potatoes and adds richness
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
Southern Kissed Potatoes
- 3 kg potatoes (skin-on, washed)
- 2 large brown onions (peeled & sliced)
- 5 banana shallots (peeled & sliced)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus more for roasting)
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt (or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Smoking Beards® The Southern Kiss™️
For the Wood-Fired Meat Trio
- Taji Wagyu Outside Skirt Steak (500g) – Seasoned with Smoking Beards® The Bayou Blaze™️
- Lamb Chops (6 pieces) – Seasoned with Smoking Beards® The Southern Kiss™️
- Prime Striploin (500g) – Seasoned with Smoking Beards® The Original™️
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for grilling)
For the Blue Cheese Sauce
- 500ml heavy cream
- 500g blue cheese (Danish Blue preferred; if using Roquefort, reduce quantity)
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly, as they will be cooked with the skin on.
- Cut the potatoes into bite-sized cubes (quartered or in six pieces, depending on size).
Step 2: Boil the Potatoes
- Fill the cast iron Dutch oven with water and add 1 tsp salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the potatoes and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until just fork-tender.
- Drain the water and set the potatoes aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Onions & Shallots
- While the potatoes are boiling, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in the cast iron pan over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and banana shallots.
- Sprinkle with Smoking Beards® The Southern Kiss™️ seasoning, adjusting to taste.
- Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions and shallots are soft and translucent.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4: Roast the Potatoes
- In the same Dutch oven, add another 1 tbsp olive oil and heat over medium-high heat.
- Return the boiled potatoes to the pot and stir to coat them evenly in the oil.
- Let the potatoes roast for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they develop a crispy golden-brown crust.
- Add the sautéed onions and shallots and mix well.
- Season with additional salt and The Southern Kiss™️ seasoning, if needed.
Step 5: Prepare the Blue Cheese Sauce
- Pour heavy cream into a small pot.
- Crumble the blue cheese into the cream.
- Place the pot on indirect heat over the fire, stirring constantly.
- Heat gently until the cheese is fully melted—do not boil!
- Once the sauce starts to foam, remove it from the heat immediately.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 6: Grill the Meat Trio
🔥 Preheat the Grill:
- Fill the grill with Pure Fire Lump Coal and light using a Pure Fire Natural Lighter Cube.
- Open the bottom vent fully and let the grill heat to 450-500°F (230-260°C).
- Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
🔥 Cooking the Wagyu Outside Skirt (The Bayou Blaze™️)
- Rub the outside skirt steak with Smoking Beards® The Bayou Blaze™️ seasoning.
- Place the steak over direct heat and sear for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Move to indirect heat and cook for another 2-3 minutes for medium-rare.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain.
🔥 Cooking the Lamb Chops (The Southern Kiss™️)
- Season the lamb chops generously with Smoking Beards® The Southern Kiss™️ seasoning.
- Grill over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side for a perfect medium-rare.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
🔥 Cooking the Prime Striploin (The Original™️)
- Coat the prime striploin with Smoking Beards® The Original™️ seasoning.
- Grill over direct heat for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
- Use a ProQ Thermometer to check for 135°F (57°C) internal temperature.
- Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
- Plate the Southern Kissed Potatoes as the base.
- Arrange slices of skirt steak and striploin next to the grilled lamb chops.
- Drizzle the warm blue cheese sauce over the meats.
- Serve with grilled vegetables or warm flatbreads for a complete Iftar feast.
Expert Tips & Troubleshooting
🔥 How to keep meats juicy
- Always rest steaks and lamb chops for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
- Cook skirt steak no more than medium-rare for maximum tenderness.
🔥 How to enhance flavor
- Use wood chunks (ProQ Oak or Cherry) for a mild smoky finish.
- Finish with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses for a subtle sweetness.
🔥 How to prevent blue cheese sauce from separating
- Never let the sauce boil, keep it at a gentle simmer.
- Use full-fat cream for the smoothest texture.
Fred's Top Tips: Grill to taste. Ensure proper caramelization (Millard Reaction). Remove striploin fat cap AFTER grilling, not before (fat is the vehicle for flavor). Cut the skirt AGAINST the grain.
Ramadan Special: Southern Kissed Potatoes & Wood-Fired Meat Trio - Smoking Beards Recipe