Matthews - Hot and hip grilling secrets: a fresh look at cooking with fire

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file. Cover photo by Bonnie Matthews End paper illustrations by Bonnie Matthews Print ISBN: 978-1-63220-292-5 Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63220-753-1 Printed in China Contents F or all my Facebook friends who follow me at Bonnie On Oz who have been with me on this journey of inspiring others about healthy food and mindful living. And to Cremora, my cat and companion who was ever present during the photo shoots and patiently awaited leftovers after the shots. S pecial thanks to Alysia Gadson, my friend and neighbor who lent me her grill and tasted all the recipes with me.

Her feedback was invaluable. And thanks for sneaking in my apartment and doing the dishes! Youre a real gem! Also to my friends, Arabella Girardi, Emily Duke, and Kelli Felix who assisted with writing, photo shoots, and taste testing! To Bloodroot Blades for providing their amazing hand crafted knife for one of the shots; and to Black Diamond Meats for providing premium grass-fed beef and pork for some of the recipes. Also to Maya and Richard for allowing me to chill and shoot some of the photos at their airbnb.com hideaway spot in Ojai, California. Introduction A Fresh Look at Cooking with Fire Its unmistakablethat wonderful smell of someone grilling in summer! That smell of charcoal brings up so many memories of impromptu neighborhood gatherings. Its a ritualeveryone dusts off the patio furniture that first warm day in summer and heads to the store to get hotdogs, burgers, and coleslaw. Am I right? Grilling is naturally a great way to entertain, since everyone can gather on a back patio.

Theres something about a fire that brings people together. Socializing, sharing food, Frisbee throwing, and cooking, all at once. That works for me! Its a time to slow down and connect with our neighbors and friends without the TV or Internetand it gets people outside. Whats more, everyone participates so you, as the host, arent stuck in the kitchen doing all the work. Its a given that if you show up for a grilling party youre going to have fun. Bacon is all the rage these daysbut you wont find pork bacon in this book.

You also wont find blue cheese burgers, bones, skin, or beer cans up the butt of a chicken. Yep, theres plenty of those books out there if thats what you are looking for. But I wanted to create something a bit different with Hot & Hip Grilling Secrets. Im integrating a fresher, healthier look at cooking on the grill. I want to ignite your senses with a new way of thinking about grilling. Instead of the humdrum burger and bun for dinner, I want to share ways to save time and help you meal plan with the leftovers.

For example, if you stoke up the grill you may as well cook a whole filet of salmon so you can enjoy part of it right away and the rest on top of a fresh salad for lunch the next day. This book covers more than grilling meatsyoull learn about grilling fish, veggies, flatbreads, and even baked goods. (Yes, you can bake on the grill! In the heat of summer, who wants to be stuck inside with the oven on? Seriously?) You know that midsummer has arrived when the garden is so overgrown with tomatoes, zucchini, and basil that you dont know what to do with them all. I want to elevate your meals with flavor combinations that will inspire you to use all of them! Im also going to encourage you to try ingredients you may not be familiar with, like spaghetti squash, that vegetable that you keep passing by at the grocery store because you have no idea how to cook it; its so versatile and a great substitute for pasta. My focus throughout this book is on fresh, healthy, creativeand deliciousgrilling. There are a few secrets Im going to share with you that will transform your grilling forever.

Youll learn how to craft the right combination of spiciness, sweetness, and tangy vinegar, and just how long to marinate before firing up that grill. And for those folks who steer away from cooking fish on the grill because it always turns out too dry, let me introduce you to the plank! Yes, wood planks when soaked in water create a wonderful base for grilling moist fish filets every time. Planks not only create a moisture barrier and add flavor infused from the wood, they also work as a platter for serving and make for easy clean up. I have more secrets where those came from, so keep reading! What kind of grill works best? A giant stainless steel gas grill the size of an Airstream trailer is gorgeous, but not really necessary to create good grilled meals. A standard gas grill or even a simple, inexpensive charcoal kettle grill is truly all you need. Id steer clear of hibachi-style grills, however, as they seem to lose their heat very quickly because they are so shallow.

The recipes in this book can be made on either a gas grill or a charcoal grillwhichever you prefer. Gas grills are tidy, and they clean and heat up very quickly so they have a nice appeal. Another benefit of gas grills is the ability to maintain an even temperature since you can control the flame. On the other hand, if you can handle a little dirt and smoke, theres nothing better than the taste that a charcoal grill can provide. That extra char and smoky flavor is just so delicious! My number one grilling secret: A digital temperature gauge! The temperature gauge is essential for grilling meats, fish, and poultry to avoid overcooking or undercooking. The temperature gauge is essentially a thermometer that you insert in the thickest portion of the meat while its cooking so you can check to see if the meat is done.

Simple! Its important to note that with both gas grills and charcoal grills, not every surface area will have the same temperature. With this tool, youll be able to check every piece of meat several times on the grill as you move it around. Some pieces of meat will be done sooner than others and can be removed from the grill and set aside, while the others continue to cook. The Gas Grillignite with the flick of a switch and voila! The gas grill provides a fairly uniform heat source by using a propane tank or natural gas hookup. The propane tanks are easy to hook up and are replaceable. Some gas grills have a separate burner area on the side for cooking side dishes or other items for your meal.