As if summer entertaining didn't have enough going for it - graduation parties, Fourth of July barbecues, picture-perfect weather and long days - cooking on the grill for your friends and family is a bonus.
Grill cooking is one my favorite ways to entertain. Despite the inability to cook very much ahead of time, grilling dinner adds a fresh and flavorful facet to a party. Grilling for company is a perfect way for couples to entertain - my husband mans the grill while I pour drinks and serve appetizers. Often we find our guests want to hang out by the grill and take a hand at turning the burgers or brushing on the barbecue sauce. If you love to grill and you’re good at it, do treat your friends to a good grilled treat the next time you entertain outdoors.
Epicurious.com has an online primer, Grilling 101, where you can learn all about grill basics.
Grilling Chicken
The most common mistake in grilling chicken is overcooking. Even a minute or two too long on the grill and a chicken breast can turn from moist and tender to dry and tough. Chicken grilling times depend on the chicken cut and whether it’s been marinated.
When turning chicken pieces on the grill, don’t use a fork. Piercing chicken causes juices to escape and results in dry chicken. Allow chicken to set for 3 to 5 minutes before serving, to allow the flavors and juices to distribute.
Gold N’ Plump offers tips on how to be an expert chicken griller.
Grilling Steaks
Some might say the only way to eat a steak is when it's been grilled over a fire. Grill steaks on high heat on a pre-heated grill. Be sure to stay with your steaks while they’re grilling; it doesn’t take long to overcook a steak. Before placing on the grill, pat the steaks lightly with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
Until you get a handle on how to determine steak doneness, test with a meat thermometer. Rare beef is about 115 to 120 degrees F, medium-rare is 125 degrees F, and medium is 135 to 140 degrees F.
The BBQ Report will tell you how to grill a steak like a true Texan – from how to choose the right cut of meat to cooking and serving suggestions.
Grilling Burgers
A perfectly grilled hamburger has less to do with how it’s cooked and more to do with how it’s served and the condiments you offer. For guests, make the best burgers and offer lots of toppings and toasted buns and you’ll have a winner.
Burger aficionados say you should never press down on a burger with a spatula while it’s cooking. Keep the juices inside and flip only once. eHow has more advice.
Newsminer.com is one of many Web sites that has advice on how to cook the perfect burger.
Grilling Fish and Shellfish
Fish steaks can be placed directly on the grill, but flakier fish fillets should be placed on a grill screen or grill basket. Baskets and screens are also handy for grilling scallops and shrimp, which also can be threaded onto skewers and placed directly on the grill grates.
When marinating seafood, remember that lemon, lime, orange juice and other citruses can start to cook seafood while marinating. Marinated fish and shellfish requires shorter grill time.
HowToDoThings.com offers good, simple advice on how to cook fish on a grill.
Grilling Vegetables
Almost any vegetable can be grilled with superior results. Grilling vegetables keeps in vitamins, nutrients and flavor. If your grill is large enough, grill side dish vegetables alongside the meat.
It’s hard to mess up grilled vegetables. Slightly overcooked vegetables still taste delicious on the grill, and even slightly charred vegetables are still good enough for company. Grilling corn on the cob, either in the husks, wrapped in foil, or right on the grill, makes any barbecue complete.
FoodFit.com has a ‘cooking class’ on how to grill vegetables.
The Best Grill Recipes
All Recipes serves up grill recipes like this delicious Tempeh Kabobs with Moroccan Couscous.
Browse Cooking Light for recipes such as Grilled Salmon with Nectarine-Red Onion Relish and hundreds more.
Epicurious is where you can find the best grill recipes from issues of Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines. Try the Spiced Black Bean Burgers and the Chile-Rubbed Shrimp with Avocado Corn Cocktail.
Looking for something different? Try Better Homes and Gardens for grilled dessert recipes like Grilled Peanut and Banana Cookie Pizza.
Here's a tried and true recipe for chicken on the grill that's easy and versatile. These chicken breasts can be marinated and grilled and used in pasta, salads or as a main dish.
Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
Grill cooking is one my favorite ways to entertain. Despite the inability to cook very much ahead of time, grilling dinner adds a fresh and flavorful facet to a party. Grilling for company is a perfect way for couples to entertain - my husband mans the grill while I pour drinks and serve appetizers. Often we find our guests want to hang out by the grill and take a hand at turning the burgers or brushing on the barbecue sauce. If you love to grill and you’re good at it, do treat your friends to a good grilled treat the next time you entertain outdoors.
Epicurious.com has an online primer, Grilling 101, where you can learn all about grill basics.
Grilling Chicken
The most common mistake in grilling chicken is overcooking. Even a minute or two too long on the grill and a chicken breast can turn from moist and tender to dry and tough. Chicken grilling times depend on the chicken cut and whether it’s been marinated.
When turning chicken pieces on the grill, don’t use a fork. Piercing chicken causes juices to escape and results in dry chicken. Allow chicken to set for 3 to 5 minutes before serving, to allow the flavors and juices to distribute.
Gold N’ Plump offers tips on how to be an expert chicken griller.
Grilling Steaks
Some might say the only way to eat a steak is when it's been grilled over a fire. Grill steaks on high heat on a pre-heated grill. Be sure to stay with your steaks while they’re grilling; it doesn’t take long to overcook a steak. Before placing on the grill, pat the steaks lightly with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
Until you get a handle on how to determine steak doneness, test with a meat thermometer. Rare beef is about 115 to 120 degrees F, medium-rare is 125 degrees F, and medium is 135 to 140 degrees F.
The BBQ Report will tell you how to grill a steak like a true Texan – from how to choose the right cut of meat to cooking and serving suggestions.
Grilling Burgers
A perfectly grilled hamburger has less to do with how it’s cooked and more to do with how it’s served and the condiments you offer. For guests, make the best burgers and offer lots of toppings and toasted buns and you’ll have a winner.
Burger aficionados say you should never press down on a burger with a spatula while it’s cooking. Keep the juices inside and flip only once. eHow has more advice.
Newsminer.com is one of many Web sites that has advice on how to cook the perfect burger.
Grilling Fish and Shellfish
Fish steaks can be placed directly on the grill, but flakier fish fillets should be placed on a grill screen or grill basket. Baskets and screens are also handy for grilling scallops and shrimp, which also can be threaded onto skewers and placed directly on the grill grates.
When marinating seafood, remember that lemon, lime, orange juice and other citruses can start to cook seafood while marinating. Marinated fish and shellfish requires shorter grill time.
HowToDoThings.com offers good, simple advice on how to cook fish on a grill.
Grilling Vegetables
Almost any vegetable can be grilled with superior results. Grilling vegetables keeps in vitamins, nutrients and flavor. If your grill is large enough, grill side dish vegetables alongside the meat.
It’s hard to mess up grilled vegetables. Slightly overcooked vegetables still taste delicious on the grill, and even slightly charred vegetables are still good enough for company. Grilling corn on the cob, either in the husks, wrapped in foil, or right on the grill, makes any barbecue complete.
FoodFit.com has a ‘cooking class’ on how to grill vegetables.
The Best Grill Recipes
All Recipes serves up grill recipes like this delicious Tempeh Kabobs with Moroccan Couscous.
Browse Cooking Light for recipes such as Grilled Salmon with Nectarine-Red Onion Relish and hundreds more.
Epicurious is where you can find the best grill recipes from issues of Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazines. Try the Spiced Black Bean Burgers and the Chile-Rubbed Shrimp with Avocado Corn Cocktail.
Looking for something different? Try Better Homes and Gardens for grilled dessert recipes like Grilled Peanut and Banana Cookie Pizza.
Here's a tried and true recipe for chicken on the grill that's easy and versatile. These chicken breasts can be marinated and grilled and used in pasta, salads or as a main dish.
Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
- 1⁄2 cup sherry
- 3⁄4 cup olive oil
- 1⁄2 large onion, grated
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1⁄2 teaspoon thyme
- 1⁄2 teaspoon oregano
- 1⁄2 teaspoon rosemary
- 1⁄2 teaspoon marjoram leaves
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
