Smoke and Grill

Nothing says "Summer" quite like the smell of hamburgers grilling on a warm afternoon. And, unlike so many things in life, these wonderful little treats are actually super easy to create. A pound of ground beef, a couple minutes to form the patties, another few on the fire, slap it on a bun and enjoy. But even as easy as hamburgers are to grill, they can be so much better if you just avoid these 5 mistakes. The best thing -- These are super easy, too. The Big 5 Mistakes of Grilling Burgers These are listed in order from start to finish of the burger grilling process. 1. Buying Inferior Meat Simple solution to this one. Skip the "who-knows-what's-in-there" package of ground meat and pick up the...

Grilling and BBQs are extremely popular activities and is a staple of most summers. While the backyard barbeque is a fundamental American social gathering, there are many places where grills are not practical or are simply not allowed. From densely populated metropolitan areas to planned communities in the suburbs, small easily maintained outdoor spaces often leave less square footage for grilling and entertaining. Open flames are a safety and insurance hazard, which has prompted many rental and condo associations along with many neighborhood associations to ban the use of charcoal or gas grills. The solution to these drawbacks of open-flamed grills is to opt for an electric unit. An outdoor...

Once again the question has been asked...how do you guys go about bringing new dry rubs into your product selection? The answer...lots and lots of time and testing. Producing a dry rub that is made of high quality, fully flavored, all-natural ingredients isn't something that is rushed or taken lightly. When we decide to add a new dry rub to our lineup, we begin by considering our current lineup and how we can improve the offering and choices for our customers. We consider their requests and comments very seriously, listening closely to what they have to say. For example, our customers have requested a rub that is sweet, with a mild heat level, but one that retains the chile flavors. Based on...

After weathering the misery of winter we can start to come out of hibernation and start to prepare for our BBQ summer. We'll be able to prepare food outside and invite family and friends where everyone can have a good time. It's time to get the grill out! As the temperature inside the house starts to rise cooking outside becomes more and more attractive. We can catch some sunshine and also it's a great way to get the whole family involved. As often as not dad will volunteer to do the cooking, good news for mum. Just as important is that most of the mess and spatter of cooking is kept outside the kitchen. This is a real bonus because it means that kitchen cleaning is reduced to a minimum. BBQ cooking...

Cooking over fire has been something we've done as humans since prehistoric man. It's in our blood to grill a huge hunk of meat over an open fire and reap the rewards of a job well done. As time went on, we became a little more advanced as a society. We now have gas grills that are easy to clean and maintain, light instantly, burn for hours on end without a fuel change. Charcoal grills have also made advancements: they're bigger now, and look a little more stylish. But for anyone who's owned both a gas and a charcoal grill can tell you, there is just no contest. Gas grills are head and shoulders above the charcoal burners in so many different ways. Top 5 advantages of the gas grill: 1: The gas...

Since World War II, the West Indies have widely come to be known as "the Caribbean." The Caribbean consists of three main island groups: the Bahamas in the north (with over 700 islands!), the Greater Antilles in the center (including Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and to the southeast, the Lesser Antilles (including Barbados, Trinidad, and many more). The first inhabitants of these islands are thought to be Arawaks and the Caribs. It is likely that their cuisine was quite simple, prepared from an ample supply of fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. The Europeans introduced cattle, sheep and pigs to the islands, and the cooking styles of the Spanish, the English, the French, the...

GRILLED NACHOS Ingredients: 6-cups Nacho flavored tortilla chips 1-cup Salsa 1½-cups Fajita chicken, frozen ½-cup Fresh roasted green chili's or frozen & drained 8-ounces (2-cups) Mexican cheese blend, shredded 2-cups Lettuce, shredded ½-cup Sour Cream ½-cup Guacamole ½-cup Black olives, sliced ½-cup Cashews, chopped Instructions: Heat up grill. Cut foil to make about a 20x20-inch sheet of heavy-duty foil; make double layer and form sides and corners. Spray foil on the inside with cooking spray and place on large platter or cookie sheet to move to grill. Spread chips on foil; top with chicken, chilies and cheese. Place foil on grill over medium heat...

Great prepared indoors, this recipe moves to a whole new level when you move outdoors and prepare the entire dish using your grill and a grill-friendly sauté pan. Grilled eggplant is served with salmon, topped with roasted tomatoes, seasoned with basil, thyme and capers, and garnished with scallions. The roasted tomatoes in a garlic wine sauce accent the pan-seared salmon fillets luscious flavor. A hearty main dish best served hot or warm with a light salad, garlic toast, and a nice dry white wine. Cook's Notes: Cast iron works as well as the new oven and grill proof cookware available at local kitchen accessory stores. Grilled Eggplant with Pan Seared Salmon and Roasted Tomatoes Ingredients...

Tender steak marinated and grilled along with fresh eggplant, asparagus, sweet onion and Portobello mushrooms. Served warm or cold, this is a great dish to serve as a main dish or surrounded with side dishes such as hot orzo, and garlic pita toast. Extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, onion and garlic powders, dried oregano and basil combine to make a powerful marinade imparting wonderful Mediterranean style flavors. Steak is grilled over direct heat to create grill marks and quickly sear in flavor. The fresh sliced vegetables are grilled and removed as they finish cooking. Plate the steak and vegetables over torn Romaine lettuce pieces. Grilled Sirloin Steak with Harvest Vegetable Salad...

Squid: The word for squid in Italian is calamari (plural) which has all but replaced the use of squid in culinary recipes in English. Actually in English, calamari is used primarily to refer to the rings cut from the tube of the squid. The rings are frequently breaded and fried. The Napoli connection: While I was in Napoli this past summer (2009), I leaned how to prepare freshly caught squid (and octopus) and marinate it to make the texture less rubbery and the taste very zesty. I have picked up several recipes over the years, but by far and away, my favorite is the grilled marinated calamari presented here. I strongly suggest that you not make the recipe below unless you can get fresh squid...

These delicious beef and veggie kebabs are easy to make and taste great grilled on the outdoor grill, the indoor grill, or under the broiler. And the good part, they can be prepared a day ahead, wrapped, refrigerated, and grilled the next day. GRILLED BEEF AND VEGGIE KEBABS 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1 bay leaf 3/4 cup olive oil 3/4 cup beef broth (or red wine) 1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak, cut into chunks about 1 1/2-inch in size 1 green bell pepper 1 red bell pepper 1 red onion 12 medium white mushrooms, stemmed* Prepare these kababs on the skewers a day ahead, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for easier preparation the next day, if...

Inihaw na Pusit or Grilled Squid is a very simple recipe but it is exceptionally delicious. It is very easy to prepare so you can have it any time of day. All you have to do is look for fresh squid in the market and you can have it grilled. The fresher the squid, the more succulent your grilled squid will be. The geography of the Philippines makes it easy to find abundant supply of seafoods because of the surrounding bodies of water that offer a wide variety of fishes, shells, crabs, squids and many others. It is also the reason why a lot of seafood restaurants can be found from the northern islands of Luzon down to the southernmost islands of Mindanao. And of all the grilled goodies offered in the...

Harissa is a paste from North Africa with all the flavors of the Mediterranean; cumin, coriander, caraway, mint and chilies. It is great as a marinade for grilled lamb, beef, chicken or fish. You can make this with fresh Serrano, cayenne or Habanera chilies. If you're growing chilies in your garden, put up a batch of harissa while they're fresh. If you prefer a milder harissa, use red Ancho chilies (ripe poblano chilies). There certainly is no reason why you couldn't make this Moroccan paste with chipotle peppers (smoked red jalapeno peppers) also. The smoky tones would add another flavor dimension. The yogurt in the sauce recipe given below will tame the heat of the chilies and the honey and...

As summer, approaches and the weather warms up, a lot of people want to start cooking outside. All too often though, it is the same things that end up on the grill. Sausages, burgers, and chicken wings are great, of course, but what about learning a new recipe this year to impress your family and friends? Grilled fresh vegetables have a wonderful smoky flavor and vegetables cook really well on the grill. A grilled vegetables recipe makes a great meal or side dish and there are lots of ways to grill vegetables. Ideas for Exciting Grilled Vegetables If you want to add some Asian spice to your grilled vegetables recipe, what about chopping the vegetables and making foil pouches? Add some herbs, spices...

Shrimp is one of the best choices that you can have when you think about sea foods. Since, it is very rich in nutrients that would benefit our bodies a lot and aside from that it is also easy to prepare. So if you base it on practicality, you would really go for cooking shrimp. The nutritional facts that the shrimp has is a very long list. It is low in fats and saturated fats so you would really put a consideration in cooking this kind of dish. Although it comes in a very wide range of varieties, it still tastes the same even if it's big or small. About the availability of this seafood, no problem about that because it is available all year round and if you wanted to buy a lot of shrimp and store it...

Octopus: I enjoy octopus immensely. Although it is very common in Mediterranean European countries, it has not received the attention here in the US. In fact, I suspect many think of it as an exotic food. But if you can get past the tentacle suction cups, you will almost certainly find octopus to be a culinary delight. It's like many foods; you have to acquire a taste if you have not grown up eating it. I recommend using fresh octopus (buy it already cleaned and prepared) if you can get it. Some grocery stores and Asian markets carry it. I have no problems finding it here in Florida. I suggest that if you find it fresh, marinate it the same way as I did for the calamari (24 hours) and then grill it...

Grilled Chicken Salad with Seasonal Fruit is a great salad for every season and any time of the day. During summer, different types of berries like blackberries or raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries can be used, while in summer, orange will be great. Both the taste and presentation of this salad will make you earn rave reviews. Go through the simple recipe below that will take only 35 minutes to serve at your table. Ingredients Chicken (skinless, boneless) breast halves - 1 pound Pecans - 1/2 cup Red wine vinegar - 1/3 cup White sugar - 1/2 cup Vegetable oil - 1 cup Half minced onion Ground mustard - 1 teaspoon Salt - 1 teaspoon Ground white pepper - 1/4 teaspoon 2 heads of Bibb lettuce...

u’re stuck in horrible conundrum, wondering what kind of gift could possibly impress your wife/ father/ boss or next door neighbor. But have you thought about Alaskan smoked salmon? No one needs yet another fountain pen, and if you get your wife a vacuum cleaner she’ll go berserk, trust me. But with Alaskan smoked salmon you have the ultimate gift, with a great deal of versatility. Just what kind of occasions does smoked salmon work for when giving gifts? Read on, and we’ll give you some suggestions that will really get you thinking! Corporate Gift Giving In this age of low-carb diets and higher health premiums tied to weight, the last thing you want to send to a client or partner...

So you're stuck in horrible conundrum, wondering what kind of gift could possibly impress your wife/ father/ boss or next door neighbor. But have you thought about Alaskan smoked salmon? No one needs yet another fountain pen, and if you get your wife a vacuum cleaner she'll go berserk, trust me. But with Alaskan smoked salmon you have the ultimate gift, with a great deal of versatility. Just what kind of occasions does smoked salmon work for when giving gifts? Read on, and we'll give you some suggestions that will really get you thinking! Corporate Gift Giving In this age of low-carb diets and higher health premiums tied to weight, the last thing you want to send to a client or partner is a box of...

Perhaps, like millions of other people, you are watching your diet, and you wonder, is Alaskan smoked salmon a good dietary choice for you? Rejoice, because dieticians and doctors alike have declared that the health benefits of this delectable treat are abundant. Even if you aren't watching what you eat and simply love the flavor of smoked salmon you can appreciate the health benefits brought on by eating it. We'll help you by breaking down the benefits further. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Everywhere you turn these days; it seems someone is talking about Omega-3 fatty acids. Now it's my turn to add my two cents worth. This magical unsaturated fatty acid in your Alaskan smoked salmon provide a plethora of...

On of the best things about eating a healthy diet is that you get to enjoy food you love without the guilt. Diet foods often taste terrible, and make us resort to snacking, but when you cook fresh, natural, healthy foods instead, you'll find that you don't want to snack. Instead you'll want to enjoy the food that you've prepared at home because it makes you feel better, and it tastes delicious. If you feel like you don't have the time to cook, try ordering the health ingredients, like smoked salmon fillets, online. Natural ingredients are a great way to make the meals that you love in a more healthy way, that's great for not only you, but for your family as well, and it's not difficult to do. If you...

When you're on a diet, it can be hard to find the right combination of foods that works for you. You want to lose weight, but you also want to feel full, and know that you're eating a healthy combination of foods. There are many diet foods and meal plans on the market meant to help satisfy your needs, but often, they're overpriced and taste terrible, and you know nothing in them is fresh. Wouldn't it be great if you could find a find something to center your diet around that was good for you and tasted great? You can with the smoked salmon diet. When you've already tried every crazy diet in the book, why not go back to simple, natural food and try the smoked salmon diet instead. The smoked salmon...

u're cooking meals for your kids, it's hard to make sure that they're getting all the nutrients they need. And that's just when they're with you. What are you supposed to do about their snacks at school, and when they're home before dinner? It can be hard to plan for these things, and that makes the pre packaged foods at the grocery store seem like the right solution. But don't cave in! They aren't healthy for you or your kids! What you can do, for yourself and your family, is try inexpensive and very tasty smoked salmon snacks. Smoked salmon snacks are a great way to give your kids a filling and healthful snack, without all those artificial ingredients. Why smoked salmon? There are many different...

Nowadays, many people are turning to fish such as smoked salmon to givea little something extra to their diet. While most fish is loaded with healthynutrients, smoked salmon serves up something that other fish are lacking in. Salmon is high in Omega-3 fattyacids which a wonderful nutrients for the human body. These are some of the nutrients that can help to preventsuch problems as heart disease and some cancers as well as many other ailments. Mercury is another concern of most consumers when they are looking to addfish to their diet. However, with smoked salmon, recent studies have shownthat it has a very low level of mercury compared to other fish such as sharkand swordfish. When weighing all of...

There are innumerable people who desire to present a gift basket to their friends and beloveds. They want that want to make it memorable by embracing a smoked salmon in it. They are very popular among the modern people who want to present the up-to-date gifts to their friends and family members. The reason for this popularity is the gracefulness and elegance of this gastronome and epicure gifts that have an appeal to the food connoisseurs. These have an antique charm which catches the eye of every person. They are very successful among the people as compared to the gourmet gift baskets. They are swiftly emerging gifts that will take a lead in the world of gifts. The smoky salmon forms the most...

Smoked salmon is a process that was born out of necessity and has evolved into a delicacy. While it was originally used as a method of preserving the fish, today smoked salmon is about the flavor it gives the fish rather than prolonging its shelf life. Learning how to make smoked salmon makes it easier to understand why it is a little pricier in stores since the process rather labor intensive. Though making smoked salmon can be a bit of an effort it is one well worth the time and energy. To begin, be sure to buy high quality frozen salmon to make sure the end product has the best taste possible. Let the salmon thaw until it is about 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit at which point you should begin cutting...

On a lazy Sunday morning, nothing is better than heading out to a relaxed brunch with your friends. It's wonderful to kick back, talk about the weekend, and not worry about the dishes, or about heading out anytime fast. There are many great brunch classics, of course. Eggs are always an excellent choice, as are pastries like muffins or danishes. And pancakes and French toast are always classics. But when I brunch, I want a real meal, something that will give me energy throughout the day. I also want something easy to prepare, so that I can invite friends over to enjoy the meal without a lot of effort. For this brunch, a smoked salmon bagel is the perfect fit. When you want to eat a delicious and...

Pasta salad can be made in a variety of different ways. The recipe found in this article is for a version that uses smoked salmon. It also contains mayonnaise -- although you could make a substitute for this, such as blending even parts of sour cream, yogurt and cottage cheese. As directed, the recipe should be sufficient servings for roughly 6 people. The entire preparation and cooking time could be around 30 minutes, although this may vary. Ingredients 11 oz. pasta of your choice 1 onion, chopped 1 small carrot, grated 1/2 c. celery, chopped 1/2 c. cucumber, diced 8 oz. salmon, smoked, in 1/2 in. pieces 2 tsp. juice of lemon 1/3 c. mayo Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste Directions Get a...

t it’s the new year, it’s likely that your new resolutions are being put to the test. Though many of us say that we’re not making resolutions, almost all of us do think secretly in our heads that we’d like to do something to make ourselves better in the coming year. For many, these resolutions are about diet, exercise and saving money. These are some of the most common goals that a person can have, and some of the hardest to stick with as well. If you’ve resolved to lose weight this year, you can get a boost in the right direction by eating smoked salmon. If you’ve had smoked salmon before, you might think that the idea that you can and should eat smoked salmon as...

Weber 616002 Char Q Portable Charcoal Grill Cook all sorts of tasty meats and vegetables on the Weber Char Q. The charcoal grill features 280 square inches of cooking area-plenty of room to fit steaks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, or anything else you want to grill. The Char Q is built to last with a sturdy glass-reinforced nylon grill frame and cast aluminum lid and body. The tall lid profile features a built-in damper and a large weather-resistant handle. Also included are a 2-piece porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, removable drip tray to collect falling grease, charcoal tray, and bottom damper. The Char Q measures 32.5 x 18.1 x 14.8 inches and weighs 43 pounds...

If you're considering a new Stainless Charcoal Grill, there are a few things you would need to expect from the material. Stainless Steel above all has always been known for it's anti rust and anti corrosive qualities. It's also a very tough metal that can withstand almost all conditions depending on the grade. There are 150 different variations of the grade of steel where 15 are the most common. The functions of the grade are chosen mainly to do with the degree of hot or cold, moist or dry, alkali or acidic environments. When you consider using it with Charcoal and cooking food, you're exposing the steel to liquids, heat, oils and fats. The most corrosive of these constituents is heat. When you have...