Tomorrow night I’m partnering with Watson’s to demonstrate some al fresco cooking techniques on their grills as part of their Springtime Celebration event. I thought I’d leave some of the grilling tips I’ll share during the event here so that you can bring more flavor to your next cookout!
First of all, the grill is not just a man’s world, its a woman’s world too! Ladies, you don’t need to be afraid to “man” the grill. Besides, grilling is fun! You’re outside, you’ve got a drink in your hand, and the sun is (hopefully) shining. It’s about time we tore up these silly gender stereotypes. I’m sharing these tips today to help everyone (both men and women) feel more comfortable and confident when they fire up the grill!
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Preheat your grill 15 to 25 minutes before you start cooking to make sure it reaches the right temperature (and to kill any bacteria). Your grill should be 400-450°F for high, 350-400°F for medium-high, 300-350°F for medium and 250-300°F for low heat.
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A properly heated grill sears foods on contact keeps the insides moist and helps prevent sticking. While searing doesn’t “seal in” the juices (contrary to popular belief ), it does create improved flavors through caramelization.
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Even on a clean grill, lean foods may stick when placed directly on the rack. Reduce sticking by oiling your hot grill rack with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel. Just hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack.
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Food safety is a top priority, so keep these simple rules from the USDA in mind:
- Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards, utensils, and platters for raw and cooked foods.
- Refrigerate foods while marinating, and never baste with the marinating liquid. (Make extra marinade just for basting or boil your marinating liquid first.)
- Use a grill basket for foods that might fall through the grill rack or are too cumbersome to turn over one by one (vegetables, fish, tofu, fruits, etc.)
- Let finished meats rest on a clean platter, tented with foil, for about 10 minutes before carving so juices can redistribute evenly.
Please feel free to comment below or private message me with any grilling questions you have!
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