Become the Master of the Grill
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Good morning and HAPPY MONDAY! For those of you who were worried about the Mister, he was JUST FINE! The couples shower was actually a lot of fun! Very low-key and Mister-friendly. It was so great to catch up with my friends. And dare I say the Mister had a good time, as well? Perhaps he’ll grace us with his presence in the comments again 
But now that the lovely weekend is over it’s back to business! The Mister is going to NYC this week for a business trip and I’ll be heading to my parents’ tonight to mooch a meal assist with dinner. We’re bringing out the GRILL! I’m so excited. With the weather finally warming up everywhere, it’s definitely the start of grill season. I thought we might all benefit from some grilling tips so we can keep creating tasty burgers, steaks and fillets.
1. Turn on the heat! It’s important to preheat your grill, otherwise food will stick. Experts say that your gas or charcoal grill is ready to cook on when you hold your hand five inches above the grate for two seconds and the fire is “hot.” If you can hold it for three to four seconds, the fire is “medium-hot.”
2. Safety first! Don’t grill in an enclosed area; use baking soda to control a grease fire, not water; have a fire extinguisher, bucket of sand, or garden hose on hand; and be sure your grill is on stable ground before firing it up. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association also put together a great list of grilling safety tips.
3. Get prepped! Make sure you have everything you need within an arms reach. By the time you run inside to find your tongs, your burgers will be burnt to a crisp.
4. Keep It Clean. Let’s not season this year’s food with last year’s remains. Gross. Instead, make sure you create a clean slate for all of this year’s yumminess. For cleaning tips, check out TLC’s “How to Clean Your Grill.”
5. Grease is the Word. To prevent your food from sticking, make sure you oil up the grill. This will also make for easy clean-up later.
6. Open up. If you are cooking veggies, be sure to leave the lid of the grill open. Closing it will trap in smoke and heat, which makes veggies lose their crunch and take on a sooty taste that’s sure to make you gag. Only close the lid if you are cooking large, whole veggies such as squash or potatoes.
7. Save the Sauce. One of the most common grilling mistakes is saucing too soon. If you coat your meats with sauce at the beginning of cooking, chances are you’ll end up with a burned mess. Wait until the last few minutes to apply your sauce and you’ll get a nice glaze instead of a black, charred disaster.
8. Say No to Salmonella! Use an instant-read thermometer and separate platters for cooked and raw foods. Check out this food safety fact sheet from New York State Dept. of Health for more tips.
What is your favorite dish to make on the grill? Who is the grill master at your house? Any funny grilling stories?
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