These two are similar procedures
where both items being cooked are
exposed to high intense heat directly
to the item. In the case of broiling the
heat is from above, where in
grilling the heat comes from below.
These processes are considered a
better nutritional source than frying
or sauteing. The process can be done
with little to no fat addittives if
that is what you are looking for.
Grilling can often be confused with
BBQ, though you can put BBQ sauce
on a piece of chicken you grill,
BBQ is more appropriately associated
with smoking.
Go to the link BBQ and Smoking for
more information on this topic.
Here we will take a look at:
1. the grill , flavor and important
2. some different marinades
3. types of wood chips
4. cooking off the norm, (other than burgers, dogs, and steaks) use your
grill to: bake potatoes, and meatloaf in the summer time, just
close the lid and cook on the top shelf.
5. broiling and grilling recipes
Like using any piece of kitchen equipment, grills vary in how they work and their
effectiveness. Below is a chart pointing out some grilling heat source information.
Type of
Grill
Heat Source
Benefits Drawbacks Fire Pit wood fire natural smoke flavor heat
source is
dfficult to
control
Fire box wood fire getting back to basics same as
above
Electric
Grill
electric
coil
thermal control heat
slowly, no
smoke
Charcoal
Grill
charcoal hardwood coal
produces smoke
short
cooking
window
Gas Grill propane
gas
more controlled
environment, can cook
for extended periods of
time, can add a smokier
element with a cast iron
smoke box
by themselves
they lack
the smoky
flavors
When grilling your flavor comes from:
1. smoke from the fire or wood chips used
2. the product itself
3. marinades used in preparation of the item to be grilled
When grilling something it is important to:
1. Sear the product on high heat, which in turn seals in the juices.
2. After searing move the product to a medium heat. This will continue
the cooking process without putting to much of a carbon
finish on the item.
3. Know when youre product is done
Marinades:
herb olive oil, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, (rosemary, thyme,)
cracked black pepper
balsamic 3 parts olive oil, 1 part balsamic vinegar, fresh
rosemary, roasted garlic,
cajun 3 parts olive oil, 1/6 part lemon juice, 1/6 part tobasco,
roasted garlic, basil, thyme oregano, 1 pinch cayenne
pepper, ground black pepper
cilantro lime 3 parts olive oil, 1 part lime juice, chopped cilantro,
roasted garlic, chili powder, oregano
raspberry 3 parts olive oil, 1 part raspberry vinegar, honey,
thyme, minced shallots, fresh raspberries
tropical citrus 3 parts olive oil, 1 part orange juice, pineapple
pulp, coconut milk, mandarin oranges
Wood chips and smoke boxes are available where you purchase your grill, most common wood
chips are:
Cherry
Apple
Hickory
Ash
Mesquite
Pecan
White Oak
chips from Bourbon barrels, wine barrels (specialty products)
If you are using a smoke box, the chips could be soaked in water for a couple hours prior to
using them. If you are using a large smoker the pieces don't need to be soaked and could even be
fireplace size.
Grilled Vegetables:
1 zucchini
1 summer squash
1 vidalia onion
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 cup balsamic marinade (above, leave out rosemary)
1. slice all vegetables in 1/4 in. planks, see Knife skills
2. marinate in balsamic marinade, marinade for 30 minutes, drain thoroughly
3. with grill on high, place vegetables on grill, cook 2 to 3 minutes then turn at a 45
degree angle. Cook another 2 minutes, then repeat on the other side
4. remove to platter, place on cutting board and slice
Grilled Pizza:
1. place your dough 8 - 12 oz. on a floured surface,
press moderately with the palm of your hand.
2. with your hand cupped, extend your fingers, press
your fingertips around the edge of the dough,
this will begin the formation of the crust.
3. you could roll this out if you are not comfortable
stretching it from here on. If you roll it out, roll it to 1/8th to 1/4
in thick.
4. continue stretching it from the center out.
5. Once you have stretched it out far
enough lift it and place on the back
of your hands, continue working
around the dough from the center
out. If you get ambitious, spin it in the air, the
centrifical force will stretch the dough.
6. You want to get it to between 8 and 12 inches across, and 1/8 to 1/4 in
thick.
7. brush dough with olive oil, season with salt and pepper
8. you could place this on a pan and bake it with some sauce and cheese.
or you could take it to the grill.
9. When grilling pizza dough youre grill should be a medium heat. The
dough cooks quick so a high heat will burn the dough. You will
top it later
10. After you have cooked your crust for about 2 minutes turn the dough 45
degrees and cook for another minute.
11. Turn your dough over and repeat.
12. remove crust and top with your favorite toppings.
a great topping is nice ripened tomato, sliced mozzarella, and
fresh basil, with a touch of olive oil, cracked black pepper.
13. you can finish your pizza on the top shelf of your grill with the lid closed,
on low temp. to melt cheese, adjust temp as needed.
Grilled Maine Lobster
1. Start with a live lobster.
2. You will need a large sharp knife, preferably a 10” French knife
Hold the lobsters’ cavity on its back. Placing your index
finger on one side and your thumb on the other side.
3. Take your French knife in your right hand and hold it above the
head of the lobster, with the tip of the knife between the
jaws.
Before you take your next step you will realize that this can be a
dangerous position for your hands.
4. Go straight down to your cutting board through the head, this will
instantly kill the lobster. Continue your knife through
the remainder of the cavity and continue through the tail
section of the lobster. You should have either two halves
or a lobster body that can be opened up to a butterfly
position.
5. Brush your lobster with butter or olive oil place on a hot grill.
Cook for 3 - 5 min. on each side depending on the size of
your lobster.
To tell if your lobster is done you can take the temperature of the
meat. It should be 140 degrees.
You can look at the color of the meat, it should be a milky white
color. If the appearance is translucent then it will need
more time.
Serve with drawn butter(melted whole butter)
BBQ'd Oysters:
1. Wash your clams and oysters thoroughly.
2. Place them in a pan of water which is deep enough to cover them and
sprinkle with corn meal. The clams or oysters will eat the corn
meal and flush any sand out of there system.
3. Let them sit for about an hour or two. Rinse them off again and you are
ready to B.B.Q. them. Oysters do not seem to digest as much sand
as a clam will.
4. Place them on your heated grill.
5. When shell opens up they are done, brush them with B.B.Q. sauce or your
favorite sauce.
Grilled Fish:
Seafood is much more delicate than any of the other meats. To grill fish you
need to either use a firm fish, such as swordfish, halibut, shark or tuna.
Flaky fish such as cod, trout, haddock and pollack may be grilled but you
may want to place them in foil and poke holes in the foil until you become
more comfortable with grilling fish. You can grill flaky white fish but it is
very delicate.
1. Buy fresh seafood. Frozen fish loses a lot of its quality through
the freezing process. If you use frozen thaw out first.
2. Start with a hot grill. Make sure grill is scraped with your
brush very well so particles will not make the fish
stick.
3. You will need to oil the fish or spray it with Pam. (if you have
marinated the fish this isn't necessary)
4. Place fish on grill, cook on medium high to high heat for 2 to 3
minutes, check for desired color (golden brown lines),
then turn the fish steak at a 45 degree angle cook for
another 2 - 3 minutes.
5. Flip your fish over. Finish cooking fish , you can repeat step
4 on second side. Cook to 130 -140 degrees.
Remove and serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!!!
top with compound basil butter
1 oz. fresh basil cut into ribbons
4 oz. butter, softened
1 T. lemon juice
1 tsp. roasted garlic
whisk the ingredients together, wrap in waxed paper as a tube, or refrigerate.
Place spoonful or slice coin and place on fish.
Striped Bass:
2 lbs. striped bass
1 tsp.basil, washed chopped
1 tsp. thyme, remove leaves, chop
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
4 T. EVOO
fresh ground black pepper, salt
1. Brush striped bass with olive oil,
2. sprinkle each herb and spice over the fish
3. Place fish on grill, cook on medium high to high heat for 2 to 3
minutes, check for desired color (golden brown lines),
then turn the fish steak at a 45 degree angle cook for
another 2 - 3 minutes.
4. Flip your fish over. Finish cooking fish , you can repeat step
3 on second side. Cook to 130 -140 degrees.
Grilled Corn:
6 ears corn in the husk
4 oz. softened butter
1. soak in water for 20 minutes
2. peel back the husk slightly to remove the tassles, hairs etc.
3. place on hot grill, turn to cook on all sides about 3 minutes each, figure 4
sides. If husks brown that is ok, they are protecting the corn.
4. remove from grill with oven mitts or towel, peel husks with towel, place
on platter
Broiled Cod, Haddock:
1 lb. of skinless, boneless cod, or haddock: cut into 4 X 4 oz.
pieces
1 oz. EVOO
1/4 oz. fresh squeeze lemon juice
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, chopped
s & p to taste
1. place fish on pan lined with pan spray or brushed with olive oil
2. rub fish with EVOO, then lemon juice
3. season with thyme, S & P
4. place under broiler, 5 - 7 minutes.