Lang - One-Beer Grilling: Fast, Easy, and Fresh Formulas for Great Grilled Meals You Can Make Before You Finish Your First Cold One

Welcome to One-Beer Grilling. The fact you that are reading this tells me we already have a lot in common. Whenever I fire up a grill, a beer is guaranteed to be close byif not in a recipe, then definitely in my hand. I trust you are the same.

Ive dedicated breakfasts, lunches, and more dinners than I can count to perfecting the art of grilling. Its a process of trial and error, exploration, and, coincidentally, a time to enjoy a lot of great beer. As documented through the writing and photography on my blog, Another Pint Please, and on the pages of Sports Illustrated, and, most proudly, in the global reach of the worlds largest grill manufacturer, Weber Grills, my love for live-fire cooking and beer has only grown. Im excited to hit the pause button on my journey and share with you my grilling exploits and adventures.

Honed from years of grilling food on the twenty grills in my backyard, the recipes in this collection add new twists to classics and make those that may seem challenging to grill more approachable. Some recipes, like my Red Pepper Bites or Carolina Pork Sliders, take about one beer to grill. But others, such as the Smoked Prime Rib or Pulled Pork, take hours, leaving the beer for the final feast. And some, like Smoked Pork Chili or Beer-Can Chicken, include one beer in the recipe. That one beer, no matter how or where we enjoy it, is essential.

Before you pour your first cold one, here are a few things to consider:

TYPES OF GRILLS

There are an astounding number of grills on the market and a wide variety of fuel sources. Whether you own a gas grill, a charcoal grill, a smoker, a kamado grill, or a pellet grill, you will be able to adapt these recipes to your cooker type and make a fantastic grilled dinner.

Recipes are cooked over either direct heat or indirect heat. Direct heat means the heating source is directly under the food. For instance, on a gas grill, all of the burners would be on. On a charcoal grill, the food would be directly over lit briquettes on the grate. You will often see this method called for when cooking food for a relatively short amount of time. Indirect heat means the food is not directly over the heat source. On a three-burner gas grill, picture the middle burner turned off, with the food directly above it. On a charcoal grill, the briquettes are pushed to one side of the grill, creating a two-zone fire with direct heat on one side and indirect heat on the other. Understanding and controlling the grills heat are the keys to success.

TIME AND TEMPERATURE

No, Im not talking about the days when you could grab your rotary phone and dial the operator for the time and weather. Knowing the target internal-cook temperature and the approximate amount of time it takes to get there is crucial for grilling a successful meal. Whenever beer is involved, there is a high probability of getting off track! So use a kitchen timer to keep you on track and in tune. The timer has your back and has saved me more than once. An instant-read thermometer is for the last lap. A perfectly cooked steak, chop, or roast can go from fantastic to failure in just a matter of degrees. A good thermometer is a must.

PLANKING

While planking might be a feat of strength, I use it here as another way to add flavor to food on the grill. Cooking on cedar planks dates back hundreds of years and is just as relevant and approachable today. For many, and rightfully so, planking immediately conjures an image of Cedar Plank Salmon. Its not uncommon to see salmon served this way, even in a restaurant. However, planking is hardly limited to seafood. This book has recipes for planking appetizers, beef, chicken, and even mashed potatoes. When planking, be sure to use food-safe grilling planks, and if you are unable to locate the different wood varieties I list, just use cedar planks, which are readily available at most grocery and hardware stores. Planks are a great way of improving your grilling game and impressing your guests.

If you have made it this far, not only do I know we have similar interests, but we could be close friends. My neighbors see me in front of a grill in the summers heat and in the cold, snowy nights of winter. It is part passion and part pursuit of the perfectly grilled meal. Ive met a lot of folks who see their grills as one-trick ponies, la burgers on the weekend. The desire is there to grill more, but it is often hard to stray from whats known. No matter what type of grill you own, my goal is to broaden your grilling horizons. I hardly know it all, but the techniques I share in One-Beer Grilling will give you the confidence and know-how to make unforgettable feasts for family and friends. They have worked for me, and I hope they will for you, too.

Grilling, like life, is a process of continuous improvement. Whenever Im over a live fire, there is the potential to learn a new trick or spark a crazy idea. I hope you will join me on this journey. Now lets grab a beer and fire up the grill.