| With spring just around the corner, it's time to start | | | | slowly, so they can usually be added to the fire just |
| looking forward to our favorite outdoor activities, and | | | | before placing the food on the grill without the need |
| nothing says springtime like the aroma of succulent | | | | for replenishment during cooking. Wood chips and |
| foods cooking on a barbecue. The majority of | | | | pellets are much smaller than chunks and will burn up |
| American households sport an outdoor grill, but few | | | | too quickly if placed directly on the heat source. |
| people seem to realize how much more flavorful their | | | | Therefore, pellets and chips need to be protected |
| barbecued foods could be if they just added one | | | | from the direct fire, and still allow the smoke to be |
| often overlooked grilling accessory: natural aromatic | | | | released during the cooking process. There are |
| wood for an authentic smoke taste. | | | | barbecue accessories that work well for this purpose, |
| Before the barbecue, wood smoke was what was | | | | such as baskets that can easily be refilled, or you can |
| used to cook meats and vegetables over an open | | | | purchase self contained pre-filled units with your |
| fire. The wood smoke enhanced the taste of grilled | | | | choice of wood chip flavors. Since chips and pellets |
| foods much more than either gas or charcoal. Using | | | | burn up much faster than chunks, they should be |
| wood is easy and rewarding, in many cases replacing | | | | checked regularly so more can be added if needed. |
| the need for seasonings or spices by imparting | | | | Many varieties of trees produce wood that greatly |
| subtle, natural flavors derived from the wood itself. | | | | enhances flavors for grilling. In fact, each type of |
| Whether purchased from a specialty store along with | | | | tree will impart a unique taste. Hickory is perhaps the |
| other barbecue accessories, harvested from your | | | | most common type of wood used for barbecue, but |
| own back yard, or picked up from an orchard that | | | | others are gaining popularity for their accents with |
| might be tree trimming, many types of wood can be | | | | different types of meat. Oak produces a more subtle |
| used to pump up the flavor of grilled foods. Another | | | | smoky flavor than hickory or mesquite, so it works |
| bonus is that wood smoke works equally well | | | | well with most types of meat. The sweet flavor of |
| whether you are cooking right on the grill or using a | | | | cherry wood is commonly used for grilling fish, and |
| rotisserie. | | | | apple is a favorite with pork ribs. |
| Wood for grilling comes in a few different forms. | | | | With so many culinary possibilities, using wood to |
| Many seasoned grilling masters prefer chunks of | | | | smoke food on the barbecue is an experience that |
| wood that are fist-sized or larger. Wood chunks burn | | | | everyone can enjoy this spring. |