Grilling 101: How to make your summer SIZZLE
Grilling To Perfection

Imagine your perfect summer day in North America – the humidity is low and a mild
scent of chlorine is wafting through the air from your above-ground pool. The scent itself may
just be enticing enough for you to indulge in an afternoon swim. Your back yard is full of friends
and family, soaking up the sun and splashing playfully. The only thing missing from this
beautifully painted picture is the food.
Whenever I think of the perfect summer day, my complete image includes the grill. If you
have ever grilled before, you will know that everything about the grill and its ability to transform
food is appealing. Using the grill sends one into sensory overload. From the smell of meat
getting wonderful char on its flesh, to the even more satisfying sound of its sizzle, there is
something about this fiery tool that is undeniable. Be it gas, charcoal, or wood fired, the grill is
the ultimate tool to create a wonderful summer menu. Here are a few essential tips when using a grill this summer:
1) Preheating and Cleaning – Before grilling anything (meat, vegetables, fish etc.), it is
important that the bars on your grill are clean and hot. Start off by opening up the top of your
grill and inspecting the bars. If the bars have food scraps leftover from pervious use, light the
grill and close the top to allow the inside to get searing hot (around 500 degrees F and 260
degrees C). Properly heating your grill is an essential step in the cooking process. It not only
melts the scraps from previous uses, but also ensures that your meats and vegetables will
have the proper sear or char marks on them. Once the grill has been heated, take a grill
scraper and remove all of the leftover scraps that are still clinging to the bars.
2) Greasing – Now that the bars have been cleaned, it is important to properly grease your grill.
I cannot tell you how many times I have put down lean cuts of chicken or fish and watched in
despair as I peeled only half of my chicken off the grill, while the other half remains burning
on the bars. To avoid this culinary catastrophe, apply cooking spray to the bars or lightly
brush on some olive oil. Important safety tip: both cooking spray and olive oil are highly
flammable! Therefore, when you are applying these products, apply with a healthy distance
from your grill so as not to catch on fire.
3) Grilling Meat, Poultry, and Fish – When you have finally finished this tedious prep work,
it is time for the fun part – GRILLING! It may seem simple enough to quickly throw burgers
or steak on the grill and watch them for a bit until everything fully cooked. However, there is
a way to maximize the natural flavor that is already in the meat. You have already waited