classic roasted pumpkin soup

 This classic roasted pumpkin soup combines savory aromatics, warm spices, and a touch of heavy cream for the ultimate cozy fall comfort food.

Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 45 mins | Servings: 4–6

Ingredients

• Squash: 1 sugar pie pumpkin (approx. 3–4 lbs., halved and seeded) or 2 cans (15 oz each) pure pumpkin puree
• Aromatics: 1 medium yellow onion (chopped), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp olive oil
• Liquid & Base: 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth, ½ cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
• Seasoning & Herbs: 1 tsp ground nutmeg, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp fresh thyme, 1 tbsp maple syrup, salt and fresh black pepper to taste
• Garnish: Roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds), extra heavy cream swirl, crusty bread or croutons

1.Roast the pumpkin: Roasting enhances natural sweetness and caramelization.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rub the cut sides of the halved pumpkin with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for 35–45 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool slightly, then scoop out the flesh.

2.Sauté aromatics: Build the savory base layer.

In a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and fresh thyme, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.

3.Combine base ingredients and simmer: Allow spices to blend into the broth.

Add the roasted pumpkin flesh (or canned puree), broth, maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper into the pot. Stir well and bring a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

4.Blend until smooth: Use caution when blending hot liquids.

Remove the pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely silky and smooth. (If using a standard blender, work in batches and leave the center cap vented to release steam.)

5.Stir in cream and serve: Adjust seasoning right before plating.

Stir in the heavy cream (or coconut milk) and let it warm through over low heat for 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or maple syrup as desired. Ladle into bowls and top with toasted pepitas, a drizzle of cream, and fresh croutons.

 

Atlanta BBQ Store Review

 

Atlanta BBQ Store: Bringing Competition BBQ Flavor Home

If you love barbecue as much as I do, you know that great BBQ isn't just about the meat. It's about the rubs, sauces, seasonings, smoke, and all those little layers of flavor that turn an ordinary meal into something everyone remembers.

Today on Momz Daily Scoops, I'm talking about a company that understands that perfectly—Atlanta BBQ Store!

Whether you're a backyard griller, a serious BBQ enthusiast, or someone who simply loves finding new flavors for the kitchen, Atlanta BBQ Store has plenty to explore.

How Atlanta BBQ Store Got Started

Atlanta BBQ Store has a wonderful story because it grew out of a genuine love for competition barbecue.

Brian and Ellen Jarvis became the owners of Atlanta BBQ Store in 2018. Before that, competition BBQ had started as a hobby for them. Their first competition was the 'Cue in Cumming,' where they arrived with pop-up tents and a pull-behind smoker.

Their team was called Cole's Que, named after their first son. Even though they were new to the competition BBQ world, they finished 11th out of 60 teams at that first competition. That's a pretty exciting way to begin!

From there, Brian and Ellen fell in love with competition BBQ. They enjoyed meeting teams from around the country, making friendships within the BBQ community, and continuing to learn about the craft.

That experience is part of what makes Atlanta BBQ Store so interesting to me. This isn't simply a store filled with BBQ products. It comes from people who actually participate in the BBQ world and understand what cooks are looking for.

What Can You Find at Atlanta BBQ Store?

Atlanta BBQ Store carries a huge variety of products for anyone who enjoys cooking outdoors or adding BBQ flavor to everyday meals.

Their selection includes BBQ rubs, sauces, injections and brines, accessories, smokers, gift cards, and other BBQ equipment. Their sauce selection alone includes sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy options.

And what I especially love is that many of these products aren't limited to ribs or brisket. Rubs and sauces can be used on chicken, pork, beef, seafood, vegetables, potatoes, and even in everyday recipes.

Let's take a look at some of the products that caught my attention!

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Jer-n-Al's Honey Smoke BBQ Sauce

If you like your BBQ sauce with a combination of sweetness and smoky flavor, Jer-n-Al's Honey Smoke BBQ Sauce is one to check out.

Jer-n-Al has an interesting history of its own. The sauce was created by longtime friends Jerry Berlin and Steve Allen, who began developing their barbecue sauce together and established the brand in 1994. Their company describes the sauce as being made with natural ingredients and says its roots came from their passion for barbecue and years of experimentation.

The Honey Smoke variety is the kind of sauce I would reach for when I want that wonderful sweet-and-smoky BBQ flavor.

What would I pair it with?

Try it with:

• BBQ chicken

• Baby back ribs

• Pulled pork

• Burgers

• Meatloaf

• Grilled pork chops

• Chicken wings

It would also make a delicious dipping sauce for crispy chicken tenders or homemade fries.

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Local Yokels BBQ Salt of the Earth Rub

Now this is one that really caught my attention!

The Local Yokels BBQ Salt of the Earth Rub is described by Atlanta BBQ Store as a savory SPG-style seasoning with an extra boost of garlic and pepper. The store notes that it can be used for competition BBQ as well as everyday home cooking and even mentions applications such as chicken breading, potato soup, and sausage gravy.

I love seasonings that aren't just one-trick ponies, and this is definitely the type of rub that can have a place in the everyday kitchen.

The garlic and pepper combination makes it especially appealing for meats where you want the natural flavor of the food to shine while still adding plenty of seasoning.

Try it on:

• Whole chicken

• Chicken wings

• Pork chops

• Steaks

• Burgers

• Roasted potatoes

• Vegetables

• Homemade chicken tenders

And if you're looking for a good chicken dinner, keep reading because I have a recipe for you!

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Kings BBQ Sweet Pecan Spice

If you love a little sweetness with your BBQ, Kings BBQ Sweet Pecan Spice sounds like a fun seasoning to have in your spice cabinet.

Atlanta BBQ Store carries the Kings BBQ line, including the Sweet Pecan Spice Dry Rub. Kings BBQ is a North Florida food truck and catering operation that began competing in 2020 and has earned multiple Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion finishes. The brand is also active with KCBS and FBA competition barbecue.

The pecan-inspired sweetness makes this the kind of rub I would reach for when I want to give meat a little more depth and a touch of Southern-style character.

My pairing ideas:

Pork: The sweetness of pecan and pork is a natural match.

Chicken: Sprinkle it over chicken before grilling or roasting.

Ribs: It can add another sweet layer to your BBQ bark.

Sweet potatoes: Don't be afraid to experiment beyond meat!

Pork tenderloin: This would be one of my first choices.

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Slap's BBQ Blend

Slap's BBQ comes from a serious competition BBQ background.

According to Atlanta BBQ Store, Slap's BBQ, also known as Squeal Like a Pig, opened in June 2014. The restaurant started with only a few hundred pounds of meat and quickly sold out, eventually expanding production. The team also competes regularly on the KCBS circuit, participating in roughly 25–35 contests during a season.

Atlanta BBQ Store carries several Slap's products, including The Perfect Blend Rub, along with several sauces.

A good BBQ blend is something I love because you can use it to build flavor before you ever add sauce.

What would I use it on?

• Ribs

• Pulled pork

• Chicken

• Brisket

• Burgers

• Pork steaks

• Roasted potatoes

And don't forget the vegetables! A little BBQ seasoning on corn on the cob or roasted potatoes can make a simple side dish much more exciting.

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Jdq Sweet Garlic

For garlic lovers, Jdq Sweet Garlic brings another interesting flavor direction to the lineup.

Garlic is one of those ingredients that can make savory foods taste richer and more satisfying, and a sweet-garlic seasoning can be especially versatile.

I'd want to experiment with this one on:

• Chicken

• Pork

• Shrimp

• Steak

• Roasted vegetables

• Potatoes

• Corn

• Burgers

I could also see it being delicious sprinkled over homemade garlic bread or mixed into softened butter for spreading on bread before baking.

Sometimes the simplest flavor combinations are the ones that become family favorites!

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Momz Daily Scoops Recipe: Local Yokels BBQ Whole Roasted Chicken

Now let's get cooking!

I wanted to create a recipe that lets the Local Yokels BBQ Salt of the Earth Rub really shine. Since the rub already brings savory flavor along with garlic and pepper, I kept the rest of the recipe fairly simple.

Local Yokels Garlic-Pepper BBQ Whole Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, about 4–5 pounds

• 3 tablespoons Local Yokels BBQ Salt of the Earth Rub

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon melted butter

• 1 lemon, quartered

• 4 cloves garlic, lightly crushed

• 1 small onion, quartered

• 2 teaspoons honey

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, optional

Directions

1. Prepare the chicken.

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Remove the chicken from its packaging and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. Dry skin is important if you want that beautiful roasted skin.

2. Make the seasoning mixture.

In a small bowl, combine the Local Yokels BBQ Salt of the Earth Rub, olive oil, melted butter, honey, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

Mix everything together to create a flavorful paste.

3. Season the chicken.

Rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken, making sure to cover the breast, thighs, legs and wings.

If you can, gently loosen the skin over the breast and rub a little of the seasoning mixture underneath. This helps put flavor right where you want it.

4. Add some extra flavor.

Place the lemon quarters, garlic, and onion inside the cavity of the chicken.

5. Roast

Place the chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan or oven-safe baking dish.

Roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and continue cooking until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F and the thighs reach at least 175°F.

The exact cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken, so a meat thermometer is the best way to know when it is ready.

6. Let it rest

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before carving.

This gives the juices time to redistribute so you end up with tender, juicy chicken.

7. Serve

Carve the chicken and sprinkle a little fresh parsley over the top if desired.

I would serve this with roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw, or a big bowl of creamy mac and cheese.

Momz Daily Scoops Tip

Want even more BBQ flavor?

Serve the chicken with a little Jer-n-Al's Honey Smoke BBQ Sauce on the side. The savory garlic-and-pepper seasoning from Local Yokels combined with a sweet, smoky BBQ sauce would make a delicious flavor combination!

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Final Thoughts From Momz Daily Scoops

What I like about Atlanta BBQ Store is that it brings together products from different BBQ makers and competition teams, giving home cooks a chance to experiment with flavors that can take an everyday meal in a completely different direction.

From Jer-n-Al's Honey Smoke BBQ Sauce to Local Yokels Salt of the Earth Rub, Kings BBQ Sweet Pecan Spice, Slap's BBQ seasonings, and Uda Sweet Garlic, there are plenty of ways to get creative.

And you don't have to be a competition pitmaster to enjoy them!

Sometimes all you need is a chicken in the oven, a good seasoning, and a little imagination.

That's what cooking is all about here at Momz Daily Scoops—finding great products, having fun in the kitchen, and turning them into meals the whole family can enjoy!

Happy cooking, everyone! ♡

https://www.atlantabbqstore.com