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Ten Best Tips for Outdoor Grilling

by Michael C.Shipton (RSS feed) — Jan 25th 2010 7:31PM

Outdoor grilling is a great way to prepare a feast. Nothing tastes better than a meal cooked over hot coals or even (for you non traditionalists) a good gas grill. Innovation is the secret to successful outdoor cooking. I started with gas, graduated to charcoal and did my masters in wood. Over the years I discovered that eating a great meal became that much better with the knowledge that I had gained discovering the best ways to prepare it outdoors.

1. Start with good equipment
Do your homework when opting for a new grill. It really does make a difference. Keep it clean and perform periodic maintenance to stay at the top of you grilling game.

2. Invest in a some basic cast iron pans to compliment your grilling.
Keep your cast iron pans well seasoned and never ever clean with soap. Consider using a baking soda and salt mixture to clean your cast pans. It is great for veggies and even better for some basic desert recipes like apple cobbler.

3. Preparation is the key to a great meal
Try marinading the beef overnight to make sure it take on the right level of flavor you are hoping to achieve. You might even try some Italian salad dressing or a little red wine marinade which can make a cheap cut of beef a culinary delight. For chicken and pork, consider soaking the meat in a simple brine solution made with kosher salt, brown sugar and fresh herbs of choice.