Summer is an ideal time to fire up the grill and enjoy the convenience of cooking and eating in the great outdoors. Not only does grilling outside eliminate the need to wash pots and pans, but it also creates family memories as you enjoy preparing and eating food outside in the summer. Here is a mom’s quick guide to backyard grilling to help you serve up delicious dinners.
Prepping
Red meat should be brought to room temperature for about 30 minutes before putting it on a hot grill. The colder that the meat is when it hits the grill, the longer it will take to cook. This will make it tougher. Before you slap the meat and veggies on the grill, you will want to prep the food in advance by marinating the meat and seasoning the veggies. If the vegetable is one that tends to dry out when exposed to high heat, it is also a good idea to brush it with quality olive oil to lock in the moisture. A basket or skewer is also a good idea for smaller vegetables or pieces of meat.
Grilling
Before you put the food on the grill, you will want to oil the grates so that the food does not stick. Although it is tempting to continue checking the food, it is better to let it grill in peace without constantly lifting the lid. You will also want to resist the urge to smash your meat patties on the grill. Doing so will release the juices and cause the meat to dry out.
Clean Up
A grill that is stored under cover will be able to withstand the elements better, furthering its lifespan. A good spot clean after each use will ensure that the food does not become stuck to the grates. There are different maintenance tasks depending if it’s a gas or charcoal grill. A gas grill should be deep cleaned one or two times per year by removing and washing the burner protectors and cleaning out all of the accumulated grime at the bottom of the unit. A charcoal grill is easier to clean because it has fewer parts. However, you will always want to ensure that you empty the ash catcher prior to each use.
There is nothing that compares to the flavors of the season prepared fresh on the backyard grill. With these tips, you can be the best barbecuing mama on the block. Harness the best tastes of summer by firing up your grill and indulging in this explosion of flavor.
Barbecuing is just one of the great activities you can do with your family during the summer. Check out these other summer activity ideas!
