Like most New Englanders, the RIHI family is so excited summer is officially here! Nothing makes for a better Summer gathering of family and friends than a backyard cookout.
With so many choices of meats, fish, seafood, and veggies that taste so delicious off the grill, you can let the creativity flow and create a memorable experience for your guests. The food, the cocktails, and the ambiance (especially the music!) can make or break you’re next get together. For this installment, we’ll focus on some basic grilling tips to ensure whatever the menu, you’ll be serving up the most delicious fare!
Summer Grilling Tips:
- Start with a clean grill. The last thing you want is to taste the remnants of last night’s Southwest Spicy Shrimp on tonight’s lemon garlic chicken.
- Prep is so important so you can focus on the food once it’s on the grill. Make sure you have all your seasonings, sauces, tools, and food next to you to avoid having to run back and forth to the kitchen.
- To cook your food more evenly, don’t put cold food on the grill that comes straight from the fridge. Take your foods out 30 minutes before you’re going to grill to allow them to get closer to room temperature.
- Keep a spray bottle close to prevent flare-ups. Although some fast-food places want you to think flames are a good thing, they are not. Unnecessary char can make your food bitter.
- Keep the food in the same spot on the grill. The general rule is that the fewer times you flip something, the better. Meats are a great example where they only need one flip.
- Don’t flatten or squeeze the meats when you put them on the grill. Basically, this move squeezes out the fat, which will mean less flavor and juiciness.
- Slightly undercook your food because it will continue to cook and go up as much as 5 degrees after you take it off the grill. It’s called carry-over cooking, and this should be part of your planning.
- Once off the grill, let your proteins sit (or rest) for up to 15 minutes which allows all the juices to redistribute throughout the food.
- It’s always good to have a meat thermometer close by to ensure your meats are cooked through properly.
- Lastly, the larger the group you have the simpler you should make the menu. Limit the number of foods and try to pare together foods with similar cook times. Less stress, you’ll finish cooking sooner, and have more time to spends with your friends and family.
From the RIHI Family to yours, Happy Summer…Happy Grilling Season!
