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