The summer months are creeping up, and with warm weather comes grilling season. You’ve been in hibernation mode for months, so now is the perfect time to finally get your family and friends over for some much needed quality time and relaxation. What better way to entertain and enjoy the warm summer air than by grilling out? Don’t let the idea of grilling intimidate you! Even if you’re new to the art, follow these five easy steps and you’ll be a pro in no time.
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Check Your Grate
Before you even get things started, scrub your grate with a wire brush. Wipe it down with an oil-dipped paper towel. Make sure to keep it hot while you’re cooking.
Another quick tip: if you have the choice, always choose to cook over wood. If you don’t have a wood-burning grill, try using hardwood chunks. Nothing else will add flavor to food like wood does!
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Get Down with Sauces & Spices
Season your meat with salt & pepper generously before putting it on the grill. Your steaks will form a nice crust as they cook. Mix herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme with oil to create a delicious baste. Brush this on either side of your steak while cooking.
Every great grill master has to have a great sauce. Learn to make your own BBQ sauce, or choose something else that will compliment your steak nicely.
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Throw On the Veggies
You’ll amplify a vegetable’s natural sweetness by throwing it on the grill. If you’re cooking watery veggies such as peppers and onions, grill them directly over the flames. For dense or starchy veg, keep them as far from the heat as you can.
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The Power of Tongs
Prodding and poking your steak will create holes that will allow important juices full of flavor to escape. Stay safe with a pair of tongs! You also want to try to keep the flipping to a minimum. Just once will do!
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Know When It’s Done
Lining your foods up in the order you put them on is an easy way to keep track of what’s happening. Of course the safest way to know when your steak is done is by using a meat thermometer, but if you don’t have one you can always use your finger! The firmer the steak is beneath your index finger, the more well done it is. If it’s squishy, it’s closer to rare.
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Stay Safe!
When working around hot coals or burning wood, safety is key! Stay aware of what’s going on around you, and don’t leave the grill unattended. Personal injuries – whether they’re your own or someone else’s – are no joke, so pay close attention while cooking. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be the mastering the grill in no time! Practice makes perfect!