Variations on this rub have appeared in each of my barbecue books. There are four basic ingredients — salt, black pepper, paprika, and brown sugar — and by varying the proportions you can create an almost endless variety of flavors. For spicier rub use hot paprika instead of sweet paprika. You could also substitute granulated sugar, light brown sugar, or Sucanat (powdered evaporated sugarcane juice) for the dark brown sugar. There isn’t a fish that swims, a bird that flies, or a beast that walks that wouldn’t benefit from a generous sprinkling of this multipurpose rub.