Summers End

Well, it is almost Labor Day and a lot of people think the grilling season is just about over. At least up here close to the Arctic Circle that is the opinion. Of course a few of us die-hards are looking forward to the first good snow when we can shake off these easy summer grills and get back to grilling in the cold.

Our families appreciate the summer grilling season, though, and one of our favorites are ribs. One of the old tricks we have dusted off and continue to use is par-boiling. Season your meat just the way you like it (we like using Coca Cola as a marinade - it flavors the meat with a sweet taste and the acid breaks down the fat ahead of time, which cuts down on the flammage) and then boil it for twenty to thirty minutes. The meat is cooked and the fat is almost completely dissolved so you can throw in on the grill without worrying about loosing your eyebrows!

Why grill it at all? Because most really good BBQ sauces come to their full flavor over the flame (try some Sweet Baby Rays for a really good sauce), and the heat of the sauce with the juicyness of the meat is a combination you just can't beat. It only takes about ten to fifteen minutes on a low grill (250 - 300) to sear that sauce flavor through the meat. Best of all you aren't charring the meat due to a lot of flame action coming up after the dripping fat.
Added to that, cleanup is a lot nicer as well.

Talking about cleanup, Goo-B-Gone has come out with a new grill cleaner that I have really enjoyed using. You can find it in the grilling section and it is called Goo-B-Gone Grill Cleaner. You just spay it on, let it soak for two or three minutes, and then wash it off. Most of you baked on stuff will wash right off. Use it from the start when you purchase a new grate, and it will make the whole experience of cleaning up a lot easier on your knuckles.

It's good to be back and ready for the first good snow!

Later!