Tips For Outdoor Grilling

The Outdoor Grill

There is no better way to cook food than to have it in an outdoor grill. The healthy ambiance of being outdoors also compliments perfectly the great quality of food you would produce when grilling outdoors. While most people think that outdoor grilling is only for barbecues, they are not aware of the many things you can do with outdoor grills, some of those are baking, roasting, searing, steaming and smoking. Cooking it in a grill is not only more fun but also has a distinct grill flavor.

Even if you might not see it, your outdoor grill can do more things than your kitchen oven, you just need to know some techniques and some great recipes that you can cook outdoors. So to help you get more stuff done at your outdoor grill, here are some methods of cooking that you can do and how to do each right.

Classic Grilling

Grilling outdoors would never be complete without some foods that are classically cooked directly on the grill. Direct grilling is best for cooking steaks, chops, sausages, fish fillets, kabobs and chicken cuts. Not only does grilling these items make it easier for them to cook but grilling them directly would also give them a very pleasant flavor that only a grill could produce.

As for whole fish, chicken, turkey or ribs, you can use another grilling method which is known as indirect grilling. This method involves having only one side of the grill lit and placing the items on the other side of the burner that is not lit. Another way of indirect grilling would involve having an aluminum foil placed on the center to regulate the temperature, moisture and adding a different flavor to the items to be cooked. You can also place spices, lemon juice and other flavorings to enhance the flavor of items on the grill.

Roasting On The Grill

There are two main methods of roasting that you can do on the grill. The first is pan roasting; this involves having an aluminum foil pan on top of the grills surface and having meats such as ham, ducklings or large cuts of meat. This method allows the meat to be cooked by its own broth which would drip to the pan while cooking and would turn into vapor during the process. For added flavor, you can add spices, wine, lemon juice and other flavorings to enhance it.

The second method of roasting on the grill is called spit-roasting. This method is best used for poultry, meat and lamb and is known to give these meats taste more like themselves. The process is similar to pan roasting, except you have the item rotate over the heat having it constantly soaked in its own juices. The juices gathered here can later be collected and can be used as gravy.

Smoking

When grilling outdoors, fishes, meats, turkeys, whole chicken and game tastes really great if smoked. Of all methods of grilling, smoking is known to have the most distinct and pleasant flavor and it is quite easy to do. The process of smoking involves the use of firewood, this if which would give that smoky flavor to the items to be grilled. To prepare it, have the wood soaked overnight in water.

After doing so, place them in aluminum foil and prick a few holes on the side. Place holes facing upwards along briquettes and you are ready to get smoking.

The Perfect Prime Rib

The Prime Rib Cut

When it comes to items on the grill or anything that the average American would think of when it comes to food, one of the most legendary items is the prime rib. Not only is prime rib one of the best cuts of beef there is around but it is also commonly associated with outdoor grilling we had as kids, restaurant dates and many other factors that would make it significant.

So if you happen to be into grilling, you can make this more meaningful by grilling prime rib yourself. With the wonders that you can make out of it, you as well as everyone who will get a taste of grilled prime rib is sure to be delighted by it aroma, its taste and is sure to be very full after having a full serving. Meanwhile, here are some tips on how to grill prime rib.

Picking The Cut

Because of its fame, people would tend to think that prime rib is quite difficult to cook, also considering that it is a favorite dish to be served by some of the best restaurants and chefs in the country. The truth behind this is that prime rib is not hard to grill at all in fact; people who are new on the grill could even have prime rib as some of their first few dishes. Prime rib does not only taste good but is also easy to grill, while that would also depend on the meat you get.

When picking a prime rib cut, choose one that has a good marble of fat in the meat. This marble of fat makes the meat tenderer when being grilled and another advantage of that is that it also adds a savory flavor to the meat itself. Lean meat is also good but it wouldnt be advised for grilling but rather for other dishes.

Marinating Prime Rib

To give your prime rib the best flavor possible, you have to marinate it for at least 30 minutes. A good example of a marinade would include tomato soup, water, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. To marinate it, put the mixture along with the beef in a container and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, only bring it out when everything is ready for grilling prime rib.

If you should use the marinade later for a sauce or if you should reapply it to the prime rib, have it boiled for at least 5 minutes by itself. Since the meat was still raw when it was soaked in the mixture, it could carry some amounts of bacteria. Boiling it for at least 5 minutes would eliminate the bacteria in it thus making it safe to use again.

Serving Prime Rib

Prime rib is just like any other cuts of meat, it can be served well done, medium-well, medium-rare or rare. For medium-well and well-done meats, it would be more appetizing to serve the prime rib with nice grill marks on the side. Not only are these done to make the meat look nicer but it is also an indication that the meat is cooked well.

Prime rib can be served at almost any occasion or even if there actually isnt any. Prime rib, since it is a heavy cut most of the time is served alone but to make the dining experience more meaningful, you could serve it with a nice salad, soup and red wine to make the event more romantic.