[1]The BBQ season may be coming to a close, and while most people own a grill and use it somewhat regularly, not everyone is a born chef, and grilling is particularly not everyone’s forte. I am sure all of you must have had some good and bad experiences with barbecues; it serves to one of the best events for a pot luck, meeting with friends, chilling out and having fun. And grilling is very important if you are regular campers like us! While this season ends, I’d like to share with you some common tips and techniques for grilling based on my own experiences. If nothing, these might come in handy for the next year!
BEST GRILLS: Though charcoal grills are still most widely used, I’d recommend Gas or an Electric Grill (especially for first-timers) as they are the easiest to use and produce nice results. They burn hot enough to make distinct “char” marks and add the smokey flavor to your food. If you have to use charcoal, for picnics or camping, try to avoid the self-igniting briquettes. Though easy to burn, they can give the food a petroleum flavor.
BASIC TECHNIQUES: Grilling is a lot of fun, but not everyone can manage a great job the first time. Here are some general techniques to help you in your outdoor grilling venture.
First make sure that the grill is very hot. If the grill is not very hot, it will be difficult to develop the caramelized smoky flavors and you’ll be coping with food sticking to the grill.
The next step is to clean the grill with a wire brush, and remove any previous residue food bits from the grill.
Now place the food item to be grilled on the clean grill. Be sure to put the presentation side down first on the grill in order to utilize the intense initial heat which guarantees the beautiful grill “marks” on the side that is visible on serving.
As the item cooks, move it around slowly so that it does not burn, and turn it over when it is cooked half way. This is where the art of grilling comes in. The goal to perfect grilling is to give the item delicious dark brown (not black) grill marks on both sides and remove it from the heat without overcooking it.
Try to space food so that it does not stick to each other and also shift items from the center of the hot grill over to the sides as you keep placing new food in the center. Closing the lid speeds up the cooking time and increases the smoky flavor, but also increases the likelihood of a small fire, so be careful. And remember to open the small air vent on the top of the grill if you decide to close the lid.
Use a pair of gloves and tongs to remove hot food from the grill to prevent yourself and your guests from getting burnt.
Position your grill according to the direction of the wind so that coal burns quickly and at the same time, your guests don’t have to put up with the heat!
Best Items to grill
Vegetables: Capsicum, potatoes, onions, corn, eggplant, zucchini
Fruits: Pears, pineapples, apples, grapes, apricots, plums
I hope this article can help some amateurs like me to host a thrilling bbq event, or at least enjoy the experience of grilling. Me and my husband love it. It’s wonderful and addictive! Try this Veg barbecued Paneer [2]or Grilled Pesto Burgers [3]recipe for your next outdoor adventure!! To read the original article, please visit Fun and Food [4]
[ Pig Tail Food Flipper [5] ] – The coolest BBQ tool.
[ Stovetop Grill [6] ] – Bring the taste of outdoor cooking in. Convert any stove into a smokless grill!
[ Good Stuff for the Kitchen [7] ]