Master a few simple techniques for great grilling
Spring is here. The flowers are blooming, the dust storms are brewing, and the men are firing up their grills. While the grilling is usually a man’s domain, the meal is definitely a team effort. The man might lights the fire, but it’s the woman who infuses the food with flavor beforehand, ready for the heat to work its magic.
Gathering guests around a grill creates a relaxed atmosphere. Grills are reminiscent of cavemen campfires where men used to gather around the fire to help build it. Men who are more accustomed to a conference room than a campfire suddenly offer their suggestions on how to keep the flame going. And there’s always the one man who seems to think that pouring a whole can of lighter fluid, singing eyebrows in the process, is the best way. Once the pyromaniacs have lit a reasonable fireunder the coals, the grilling can begin.
Let’s start at the beginning: selecting a menu. From burgers to kebab skewers, the choice is endless. Nothing beats a fat, juicy grilled burger right off the barbie. Though a tangy chicken kebab is tough competition.
Burgers make for a fun, easygoing BBQ. Provide your guests with the buns and toppings and let them assemble their own custom burgers. Aside from the usual mustard and ketchup, serve pickles, jalapeños, cheese with chili, sautéed mushrooms, or horseradish sauce.
For better burgers, follow these simple tips: while preparing the patties, avoid over-mixing the meat as it becomes tougher the more it’s handled. If you’re using extra-lean meat, then add moist ingredients to compensate for the natural juiciness of the fat. Grill the burgers over a high heat to sear the outside, but seal in the juices. And never press down on them while grilling because it will squeeze out the juice and risk making them dry and tough.
Try this recipe for guaranteed juicy burgers:
Ingredients:2 pounds ground beef1 egg, beaten3/4 cup dry bread crumbs3 tablespoons evaporated milk2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper2 cloves garlic, minced
Directions:In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, evaporated milk, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and garlic using your hands. Form the mixture into 8 hamburger patties. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill patties – 5 minutes per side or until well done.
Kebabs are another BBQ favorite. A cook can skewer her culinary creativity, with endless permutations of meat and vegetables, flavored with countless spices. The options are only limited by your imagination.
Again, a few simple tips ensure that your kebabs will be perfect:Avoid the temptation to cram food pieces together on the skewer, leave about a 3 cm gap so that heat can circulate better. Chill ground beef first so that it’s easier to mold onto the stick, and refrigerate for an hour or so before grilling so that they are less likely to fall off the skewers.
Have fun with kebabs. Serve cut-up pieces of meat, chicken, seafood, and vegetables and let your guests assemble their own kebab concoctions. There can be as many variations as there are guests.Try these “Yummy Honey chicken skewers for a sticky, finger-licking crowd pleaser:
Ingredients:1/4 cup vegetable oil1/3 cup honey 1/3 cup soy sauce1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch cubes2 cloves garlic5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch piecesskewers
Directions:Mix oil, honey, soy sauce and pepper in a large bowl. Before adding the chicken, put aside a small amount of the marinade to brush the kebabs with while grilling. Place the chicken, garlic, onions andpepper into the marinade bowl, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (the longer the better). Drain marinade from the chicken and vegetables, and discard the remaining marinade. Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers. When the grill is hot, lightly oil the grill grate. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Turn and brush with reserved marinade frequently.
Don’t make an exception for dessert, stick to the grill. Simply slide pieces of seasonal fruit and cubes of vanilla cake on skewers and grill. Hand out marshmallows to the kids for DIY desserts. If you want to tantalize your guests’ taste buds try this recipe for grilled pineapple:
Ingredients:1 fresh pineapple – peeled, cored and cut into rings1/4 cup canned coconut milk1/2 cup cinnamon sugar
Directions:Place the coconut milk and cinnamon sugar on separate dishes. Dip slices of pineapple into coconut milk, then coat in cinnamon sugar. Grill slices for 6 minutes on each side. Remove to plates, and serve.
Mastering a grill is no easy feat. Each grill – whether it’s charcoal or gas – has its own temperament. Only the owner, after much trial and error, will have mastered where the grill s cool and hot pockets are. The results are worth the effort: the infusion of smoky flavors, and crispy outer layers that give way to juicy centers.
BBQs make for fun and interactive meals. Usually, the challenge is to get the food from the grill without being waylaid by hungry guests. So instead of being cooped up indoors, or fighting the weekend crowds at local family restaurants, invite friends to gather around the grill for a flaming hot meal.
