Feature Article
Why heat up the kitchen...
cook the entire meal on the grill!
Grilling may very well be the oldest form of cooking, and certainly a summer-time ritual. Take full advantage of the outdoor grill by cooking the entire meal on the grill with minimal work done in the kitchen. Grilling is a low-fat cooking method and there are many ways to create a lot of flavor without adding fat during grilling. Plus we've got some creative ways to grill not only vegetables, but also fruit! So get out on the patio and have some fun!
Grill Prep:
- If you have a charcoal grill, your coals are ready when they are medium, ash-covered (about 30 minutes). Spread the coals in a single layer and position the cooking grid over coals.
- If you have a gas or electric grill, turn the setting to medium – or follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you have any questions operating your grill.
A few simple tools are necessary to make your grilling experience easy and fun:
- Separate cutting boards for raw and cooked meats and vegetables
- Grilling tongs instead of piercing forks
- Instant-read meat thermometer
Steak Prep:
- The best steaks for the grill are some of the more tender cuts including porterhouse, t-bone, top loin, sirloin, rib eye, top blade, and tenderloin. These are great with just a little pepper or a mixture of your favorite seasonings (rubs) to add flavor. These steaks do not require marinating for tenderization, but you may want to marinate a short amount of time for flavor.
- Some of the less tender cuts like flank, skirt or top round should be marinated for at least 6 hours to tenderize.
Don't Forget Dessert:
Just because you move the cooking out of the kitchen doesn't mean you have to skip out on dessert. Try grilled fruit for a sweet and easy dessert or wrap pound cake from the supermarket bakery in foil and warm it on the grill then serve with a scoop of ice cream.
©2007 San Antonio Dietetic Association