Friday, June 26th, 2009 at
4:46 pm
We all have fond memories of great barbecues. It is hard to say no when one of our friends or a family member invites us to a barbecue. The thought of the food on the grill with the smoky aroma all around is admittedly hard to resist. The barbecue has been a traditional get together meal for decades and it will be here for many more.
There are many different methods for cooking a great barbecue meal. Some prefer to use a dry rub seasoning on the meat while grilling, others like to marinate the meat for a day or so before cooking it, some people enjoy adding wood chips to the grill for added smoke flavor, and some just like their food smothered in lots of barbecue sauce.
Traditional barbecue sauce is a blend of tomato sauce and vinegar. You can use ketchup in place of those two items. If you like, cider can be used either in place of or in addition to the vinegar. Then, the creativity really kicks in, flavors and spices are added to give each sauce its own distinctive taste.
For sweet barbecue sauces, brown sugar or honey are usually added. You can also use fruit or jelly to sweeten a sauce. To make it spicy, you can add any type of pepper or hot sauce that you like, cayenne will give it a milder flavor while you can really spice it up with something like Habanero sauce. Any combination of herbs and seasoning can be used in your barbecue sauce, garlic and onion powder are very common but for added flavor you can also use something like fresh cilantro. Another ingredient that is often put into a good barbecue sauce is smoke flavoring. This can be used in place of wood chips in the grill. Mustard is also used in the making of several barbecue recipes.
Marinades are also very popular. Try out several different methods with this as well. A good marinade can either be made by adding water to one of your barbecue sauce masterpieces or creating something entirely new. Try a soy sauce, brown sugar and sesame for something different. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Then, you just soak your meat in it overnight in the refrigerator to let it really soak in the flavors.
The key to making the perfect barbecue sauce is to make it the way you would like it to taste. Add any ingredients you like, switch them up and use a lot of variety. Try new things especially if you have a few favorite herbs or flavor preferences.
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at
6:24 pm
Every year on the 4th of July Americans try to out do themselves from previous years with their fireworks. This year, why not take it one step further and make 4th of July 2009 the best barbecue party you have ever had? You can begin by choosing from the top gas barbecue grills way before the 4th of July because as our independence day comes closer, all the best grills will begin to vanish from the marketplace.
Once you have your grill picked out and on order, start creating your menu. The best barbecues are usually those that have top quality home made barbecue sauce on hand. You may want to experiment with a few before the 4th of July is here to be sure that you are making your guests the best barbecue that you can. You may even want to offer them a choice on bbq sauce flavors to make their independence day a truly special occasion.
Don’t forget the side dishes, lots of fruit and of course chili or baked beans are always a necessity at a 4th of July barbecue. Remember to make things that are easy to eat outdoors while you are watching your fireworks show as well. Beverages are better served from cans or disposable cups. Since they tend to get lost in all the excitement when the sun goes down and the 4th of July fireworks show begins, you will want to be sure to have lots of extra things to drink at your independence day barbecue.
Sturdy and durable disposable dinnerware is the order of the day on the 4th of July because it will most likely be a warm summer night in your neighborhood and people will want to wander around outside. Locating a couple of highly visible trash receptacles around the grounds to help keep down on the mess is also a good idea.
Make this 4th of July 2009 the best it can be by taking the time to plan a proper get together way in advance. It is sure to be a day of independence you will remember for years to come.
Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at
10:15 pm
Sweet And Zesty Barbeque Sauce
Ingredients:
1 14 oz. Bottled Ketchup
1/2 cup. Vinegar
2 tsp. Dried Mustard
4 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
3 tbsp. Liquid Smoke
1/2 can. Coke Soda
3/4 cup. Brown Sugar
Instructions:
Combine all these ingredients in a saucepan and Simmer all for 40 minutes stirring occational to blend together, when thickened remove from heat and let cool, frigerator overnight and keep in storage for latter use. This is a very good sweet and zesty baebeque sauce.
Friday, June 5th, 2009 at
1:49 am
Need something unique on the grill tonight. Forget the lemon and pepper and grill up a nice teriyaki salmon instead.
Teriyaki Salmon Marinade
Soy sauce 3/4 cup
Packed Brown Sugar 1/2 cup
Canola oil 2 tbsp.
Ground ginger powder 1/2 tsp.
Garlic powder 1/4 tsp.
4 Salmon Fillets
Add the garlic, ginger, oil, brown sugar, and soy sauce to a small bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Marinade the salmon fillets in the sauce for 1 hour in your refrigerator.
Grill the salmon fillets on a well oiled grill for about 6 minutes per side. Your BBQ Grill Teriaki Salmon is finished when it flakes easily with a fork.
Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at
11:15 pm
This Caribbean Rum BBQ Sauce is great for those summer nights by the pool with cocktails.
INGREDIENTS
1 tsp. vegetable oil
3 slices home made bacon bits
1 medium onion, minced
1 small can tomato sauce
1/2 cup dark rum
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp. chili sauce
DIRECTIONS
Saute vegetable oil and minced onion over medium high heat. Cook it until the onion is tender. Add the bacon bits tomato sauce and dark rum to the pan with the onion. Reduce heat and Simmer for 2 minutes longer. Add in the lemon juice, brown sugar, and chili sauce and simmer your finished Caribbean Rum BBQ Sauce for about 8 more minutes.
Sunday, May 24th, 2009 at
12:22 am
A review of the Weber Genesis Gas best BBQ grill for 2009 is in order.
see below for the Weber genesis side by side comparison.
The Weber genesis BBQ is a top of the line grill designed for convenience and quality. Weber grills have become the household standard when it comes to great family fun. This is the perfect grill for family barbecue night as well as hosting cozy summer get togethers.
They are designed with their own standing portable cart built right in. Complete with storage for all your barbecue accessories and tools. These grills have the appeal of sport barbecue written all over them with a traditional look. Don't let the appearance fool you, they are made of the highest quality materials. A Weber Genesis grill is built to last forever and they are created to withstand years of BBQ with zero maintenance.
You can find them in both natural gas and propane models to suite your individual grilling need and style. Weber genesis grills offers you even more choices with two colors to choose from. You can get it in a natural stainless steel as well and painted stainless steel colors to match your decor. They also come with porcelain coated cooking grates for even cooking and easy cleanup.
The Weber genesis cart is on wheels for convenient mobility. The wheels of the cart also have stop locks to hold it secure while grilling and cleaning. The sizes and output of these grills are all similar which makes finding accessories simple.
You have many choices in other options such as natural or propane gas. The work surface is all weather stainless steel and some models come with an added side burner. Many models come with flavor grill bars and tool holders to make grilling that much more enjoyable.
You can't beat a Weber Genesis when it comes to top of the line Family style BBQ grills. Below are just a few of the best models available for comparison. These show the many variations, styles and models available in this line of really great grills.
The Best 2009 Weber Genesis Gas Grills Side By Side Comparison Review
Fuel Propane
Burners 3
BTUs 42,000
Grilling area 507 square inches
warming rack 130 square inches
Fuel Propane
Burners 3
BTUs 42,000
Grilling area 507 square inches
warming rack 130 square inches
side burner 12,000 BTU
Fuel Propane
Burners 3
BTUs 42,000
Grilling area 507 square inches
warming rack 130 square inches
Side Burner 12,000 BTU
Fuel Natural Gas
Burners 3
BTUs 42,000
Grilling area 507 square inches
warming rack 130 square inches
Side Burner 12,000 BTU
Natural gas hose included
Sunday, May 10th, 2009 at
9:40 pm
Learn How To Make Your Own Brine
Ingredients You Need
1/4 cup. Kosher Salt
1/4 cup. Packed Brown Sugar
1 quart. Water
1 sprig Rosemary Fresh
1 sprig Thyme Fresh
Instruction:
In a medium bowl, combine the salt, sugar and water. Whisk vigorously until all the salt and sugar is dissolved. Then add the thyme and rosemary pour this mixture over the meat, poultry, or fish that you are preparing. Soak for several hours, or overnight. Note: Make certain the meat is fully submerged in the brine, and make more brine as needed to fully cover the meat.
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 at
4:36 pm
Marinade For Barbecue Chicken Or Turkey
INSTRUCTIONS:
1/2 cup. Dry Vermouth
1/2 cup. Fresh Orange Juice
1/2 cup. Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 cup. Fresh Lime Juice
3 tsp. Minced Garlic
1/4 cup. Minced Yellow Onion
1/2 cup. Minced Fresh Parsley
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix all ingredients together and pour into a air tight container mixing well and chicken or turkey to the marinade for several hours or overnight. marinade will Keep 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Makes 2 cups.
Friday, March 20th, 2009 at
6:20 pm
One of the favourite cooking methods in Argentina is, without a doubt, grilling. This style of cooking is derived from the original Argentinian Gaucho tradition of cooking fresh meat over a charcoal fire.
To add flavour and tenderise the meat, Argentines often marinate meats in Chimichurri. Food without Chimichurri just wouldn’t be tolerated in Argentina especially grilled meat to which it adds an amazing flavour.
Argentine Chimichurri
1/3 packet of garlic salt
6 chilli peppers
2 sachets bouquet garni
1 large onion
tub of dried peppers
1 pint (500ml) of vinegar
2 pints (1 litre) oil
Boil all the ingredients, excluding oil, together in the vinegar for five minutes.
Wait until the mixture cools.
When the mixture has cooled, add the oil.
Store in refrigerator.
When you’re ready to barbecue or grill, marinade meat in chimichurri overnight. Barbecue, grill or cook in the oven. Enjoy!
Many thanks to friends who gave me this recipe whilst we were living in the Falkland Islands.
Sunday, March 15th, 2009 at
11:26 am
BBQ Food is the Mental Cue that summer is Here
Winter is over, spring has sprung, and summer is on its way. Its the perfect time to take the cover off of the barbecue grill and get grilling. BBQ food is the perfect start to a great summer. As the smells of neighborhood grills begin wafting down the streets of towns all across America, there is a theme that permeates the breeze. Summer is here; its time for fun in the sun.
There is nothing that takes me back to my childhood quite like BBQ food. The smells, the flavors, and most importantly, the feeling of quality time spent with family and the knowledge that we are building memories for our children to someday share with their children. If you think about it, you can have BBQ food of some sort, almost any night of the week. As long as you are willing to use your grill, which has the benefit of keeping the heat of cooking on the outside of your home.
Here are some great grilling ideas that will enable you to have BBQ food almost anytime you want.
1)Veggies taste better when cooked on a grill. You can also have fun mixing flavors and seasonings. Kraft had a great idea of butter mix-ins for vegetables, I also like to marinate mine in Italian dressing and grill them in foil packets.
2)Almost any meat you can purchase will taste better cooked on a grill. I even enjoy smoked sausage cooked on a grill with BBQ sauce.
3)Make it a great night by allowing family members to make their own shish kabobs.
4)Have theme nights for your BBQ food, you can do Italian BBQ, Mexican BBQ, Caribbean, be creative and have fun.
The real beauty of BBQ food is that it is an excuse we use to build lasting memories of good times with family and friends. There is no reason we cant make meal times special each and every day, not just during the summer months.
