Diamond Author
I enjoy cooking a great deal, particularly when I can do so outside. Summer temperatures can hit triple digits in our area, and we don't have central air. We *do* have a deluxe grill, complete with side burners, fridge and an infrared option. The only two things it doesn't have are a kitchen sink and a rotisserie. The latter will be resolved soon, I hope.
This means that I am now able to try out a lot of new recipes without losing a couple of gallons of fluids, and I'd like to share some of the things we've played around with. (As you may guess, this is a fairly new acquisition...)
One of the most frequent meats to hit our grill is boneless/skinless chicken breast. I have to admit that we have eaten so much of this bird that both of us feel like we're going to start clucking. However, it does inspire creativity when searching for a change in flavor.
One method we like is the use of a smoke box. These are fairly inexpensive, usually around ten bucks. Put wood chips in it and place it under the grill plates of any grill gas or charcoal. The box heats up, the chips start smoking and the flavor gets added to your food. It is a strong flavor, so be careful of sauces you choose, as lighter ones may be covered up.
Rex Stout's description of Nero Wolfe's love of corn is wonderful. Grilled corn is a delightful side dish and quite healthy. You can cook it both in the husks or take them out. I prefer to take them out as the silks respond better to a vegetable brush when still uncooked. Then, rewrap in silk free husks if you so desire.
With a lot of research, mostly done by our daughter I might add, we have found that burgers don't have to disappear from our lives. We just have to choose it very carefully. Look for the American Heart Association label when purchasing beef. This means that it is seven or less percent fat rather than fifteen to twenty-five percent of other burger.
When building a healthier burger, pay attention to the details, as they can make a big difference in calorie and nutrition. Mustard or fat free mayo is better than the real thing when it comes to condiments. Lettuce, tomato and onions give you a serving of vegetables and a whole grain bun is a lot better for you than refined flour renditions.
Grilled portabella mushrooms are another option for a protein between the bun halves. Clean the black spores from it before grilling, and brush it with some extra virgin olive oil to prevent sticking. You can load it up the same way as a burger or enjoy it as a side dish.
Onions and peppers...both varieties...also taste great when grilled. You may want to use a cage or special grill pan for the onions, as they may try to separate into rings during the cooking process.
If you are tired of chicken and not in the mood for beef, think about grilling a pork loin chop. Like lean beef, it can be lower than boneless/skinless chicken breast in both fat and cholesterol. You can smoke it or use a number of marinades. I like to actually brine them first; put them in a plastic bag with salt, water or other liquids and several seasonings. This helps make the result tender and infuses the seasonings throughout the meat.
Salmon is the last one I will talk about in this article. We like it both smoked and grilled without the smoker. The latter is done after the fish has marinated in olive oil and garlic. It is extremely good both ways.
It doesn't matter what type of grill you have, we spent many years using a 1970's era Weber grill, and it gave us a lot of memories. What does matter are those memories and the healthy foods you can fix outdoors.
About this Author
For more information about home remedies, you can visit my site: http://healing-home-remedies.com/. There are blogs and articles about many herbs and the conditions they may help. Subjects include stress, back pain, the flu, gout and cholesterol. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. The report discusses the uses, side effects, precautions and interactions of popular herbs. My eBooks, also found on the site, contain information about foods and herbs that can help you deal with the problems life throws our way. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at: mary@healing-home-remedies.com. Mary Bodel, MH
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