Grilled German Potato Salad – Warming Up to a Great Summer Side Dish

Learn how to do Grilled German Potato Salad – Warming Up to a Great Summer Side Dish for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled German Potato Salad – Warming Up to a Great Summer Side Dish it is delicious

Make Grilled German Potato Salad – Warming Up to a Great Summer Side Dish

I’ve never been a huge fan of German potato salad, for two very good reasons. First of all, my love for mayonnaise borders on inappropriate, and secondly, the potatoes always seem to be under-cooked. 

I enjoy many things cooked al dente, but potatoes are never, ever one of them. I know people want clean, neat slices, but to me that’s just not a good enough reason.

However, if they’re cooked tender, especially over some smoky coals, I can forgive the lack of mayo, since this is a very flavorful change of pace, and as I mentioned in the video, perfect for bringing to a cookout. A German potato salad must be eaten warm, or at least room temp, so placing a bowl of this on a sunny picnic table works out very well.

I use a ton of bacon in my version, because it’s bacon, but if you do decide to use less, you’ll have to add some vegetable or olive oil to the dressing to make up the difference. You could just use less vinegar, but then you might not have enough dressing to really soak the potatoes, which would be a shame. So, what I’m trying to say is, use a lot of bacon. Either way, I really do hope you give this great potato salad a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 8 Portions Grilled German Potato Salad:

2 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, grilled until just tender

1/4 cup freshly chopped Italian parsley

For the dressing:

8 ounces sliced bacon

1 cup diced yellow onion

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

cayenne to taste

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

Note: If you want you dressing tangier, add more vinegar, but if you want it less so, you’ll have to adjust with vegetable oil, since you can’t add more bacon fat.

Share this recipe from Grilled German Potato Salad – Warming Up to a Great Summer Side Dish with your friends and groups

Grilled Root Beer Beef – Almost as Good as an Ice Cream Float

Learn how to do Grilled Root Beer Beef – Almost as Good as an Ice Cream Float for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Root Beer Beef – Almost as Good as an Ice Cream Float it is delicious

Make Grilled Root Beer Beef – Almost as Good as an Ice Cream Float

I’ve used something very close to this root beer marinade for lamb several times, and had great success, so I’ve been eager to try it with some skewered beef, which didn’t come out quite as well, but could have. Please, let me explain.

Since lamb has a stronger, “gamier” taste, the sweetness of this treatment works perfectly, but I thought it was a little too much for the beef. So, below in the ingredients list, I've made a few adjustments to the honey amount, as well as acidity level.

The beauty of a recipe like this is they’re very easy to adapt, and I’m not just talking about the pre-grill soak, but also the glaze we make with the extra marinade. Once reduced to something thick enough to coat our meat, you’ll want to taste it, and adjust with more heat, sweet, sour, or whatever else you think it needs. One thing mine definitely needed was more salt. I thought the soy was going to be enough, but I should have salted my skewers before they hit the grill, and/or add some salt to the marinade.

Adjustments aside, if you enjoy things like sweet/hot barbecue sauces, bourdon glazes, or even something like teriyaki, you will probably very much enjoy this. Even if you don’t use the marinade, I really loved the technique we used for the flank, which would work beautifully no matter how you flavor this. Either way, I really hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 skewers/portions:

1 whole flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds)

For the marinade

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper

2 tablespoons ketchup

honey, optional (I used 2 tablespoons, but would omit next time)

1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons white or cider vinegar (I didn't add, but it needed it)

1 bottle (12 ounces) good quality root beer

kosher salt to season skewers generously

Share this recipe from Grilled Root Beer Beef – Almost as Good as an Ice Cream Float with your friends and groups

Barbarian Beef – Our Oldest Recipe Yet

Learn how to do Barbarian Beef – Our Oldest Recipe Yet for your friends and family. this revenue from Barbarian Beef – Our Oldest Recipe Yet it is delicious

Make Barbarian Beef – Our Oldest Recipe Yet

Ever since I saw Alton Brown grilling skirt steak on hot coals, I’ve wanted to try this technique for a larger hunk of meat, but it was the realization that no one had yet called a recipe “barbarian beef,” that provided the final push. 

By the way, I did no historical research, but I assume your average barbarian was too busy pillaging to lug a grill around, and just cooked their meat right on the coals. So, for the purposes of this post, that's the story we'll be going with.

I used top round for this, and if you’re just going to slice it thin, and make sandwiches it’s fine, but now that I have a little experience, I’d like to try it with a tenderer cut. No matter what you use, you’ll want to take it off a few degrees under whatever your regular internal temp target is, since it definitely continues to cook after you take it off the coals.

It’ll depend on the size/shape of your cut, but use a thermometer to check, as the temp will probably climb by at least 10 degrees. Above and beyond doneness, the flavor of the beef really was great. Very similar to something off a grill, but with a little bit deeper level of smokiness. Even if you don’t cook your steak on the coals, the sauce was quite nice, and comes highly recommended, but officially, I really do hope you give both a try soon. Enjoy!

For the Sauce:

4 cloves garlic

1 Fresno chili pepper, or other fresh hot pepper

2 teaspoons rosemary leaves

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons wine vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

Share this recipe from Barbarian Beef – Our Oldest Recipe Yet with your friends and groups

Miso Honey Chicken – Because Honey Miso Chicken Didn’t Have the Same Ring to It

Learn how to do Miso Honey Chicken – Because Honey Miso Chicken Didn’t Have the Same Ring to It for your friends and family. this revenue from Miso Honey Chicken – Because Honey Miso Chicken Didn’t Have the Same Ring to It it is delicious

Make Miso Honey Chicken – Because Honey Miso Chicken Didn’t Have the Same Ring to It

It’s not hard to make a great marinade with just a few ingredients, as long as one of those ingredients is the magical miso. This super savory paste, made from fermented rice, barley, and soybeans, isn’t that hard to find, but what can be a challenge is understanding the different varieties available.

Miso is sold by “color,” and I’m recommending the white one here, except when you open the container, it’s not white, it’s sort of a golden yellow. They also sell a yellow miso, which is a slightly darker golden yellow, as well as a red miso, which is also a golden yellow. I’m just kidding…it’s actually dark brown.

The point is, the colors don’t refer to the actual color, but rather the processing method, and ratio of ingredients. And that’s basically the extent of my expertise. I choose the white, since it’s the most mild, but I encourage you to do some more research, as well as some experimentation.

After marinating overnight if possible, you’ll definitely want to cook your chicken with indirect heat. Otherwise, it will get too dark – as in black. Roasting in a 375 F. oven would be great, but if you use a charcoal grill, be sure to push your coals all the way over to one side of your grill, and place your chicken on the opposite site. Keep and eye on it, and turn/rotate the pieces as needed.

You can add many other things to this marinade, but maybe try the minimalist version first. I used to tell my students that the older you get, the fewer ingredients you use, so that’s my excuse, but I really want the clean flavors of the miso and honey coming through. Either way, I really hope you find some miso paste, and give this a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for enough marinade for one whole chicken:

3 tablespoons white miso

2 tablespoons honey

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 teaspoons hot sauce

1 tablespoon kosher salt (about 2 teaspoon fine salt)

lemon wedges and pepper flakes to garnish

- Let marinate overnight before roasting or grilling until the internal temp in the middle of the thigh is 165 F.

-->Share this recipe from Miso Honey Chicken – Because Honey Miso Chicken Didn’t Have the Same Ring to It with your friends and groups

Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu) – Take That, Take Out!

Learn how to do Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu) – Take That, Take Out! for your friends and family. this revenue from Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu) – Take That, Take Out! it is delicious

Make Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu) – Take That, Take Out!

There are many unforgettable sights and sounds you experience walking through Chinatown for the first time, but I think it was seeing all those hanging chunks of florescent red meat that made the biggest impression. 

Sure, the Peking ducks were cool, but they actually sort of looked like roasted duck, where as the char siu looked looked like nothing I’d ever seen before.

So, it was a little disappointing to eventually find out that it was from copious amounts of red food coloring, which I’m pretty sure was toxic back then, and not from some ancient Chinese secret cooking method. Anyway, enough with the nostalgia; the important thing to remember is that in addition to its impressive, high-gloss appearance, and savory taste, this Chinese barbecue pork is quite easy to make at home, even if you don’t have a fancy ceramic grill.

If you happen to be using your standard, backyard kettle-shaped grill, push all your coals to one side, and place your meat on the other. To add an extra layer of protection, you can also put it in a roasting pan, and place that on the grill. Or, forget the great outdoors, and simply roast it in the oven. The only catch is, you’ll need to place it under the broiler at the end, to simulate the caramelization we get on the barbecue.

As long as you roast it between 275 F. and 300 F., and do so until you reach an internal temperature of between 185-190 F., the cooking method really does not matter, and you should have something that rivals the finest take-out in town. So, I really do hope you give this Chinese-style barbecue pork a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for six portions:

3 pounds boneless pork butt, cut into 4 sections lengthwise

2/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup hoisin sauce

1/2 cup honey

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup Chinese rice wine (can sub sake, or dry sherry)

1/3 cup ketchup

4  garlic cloves, crushed

1 teaspoon five-spice powder

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/8 teaspoon pink curing salt, optional

1 or 2 teaspoons red food coloring, optional

Kosher salt to season pork before grilling

Share this recipe from Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu) – Take That, Take Out! with your friends and groups

Grilled Hoisin Beef – Not Necessarily Mongolian

Learn how to do Grilled Hoisin Beef – Not Necessarily Mongolian for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Hoisin Beef – Not Necessarily Mongolian it is delicious

Make Grilled Hoisin Beef – Not Necessarily Mongolian

While this grilled hoisin beef features a very similar marinade to the one in our Mongolian pork chop video, I decided against calling it, "Mongolian beef," since I realized I’m not exactly sure what that is. Same goes for the chop, but since Mustard’s Grill coined the name, we're Grandfathered in.

Hoisin sauce is an underrated, and possibly underused ingredient. That's probably due to the fact that people aren’t exactly sure what it is. Far as I can tell, it's a thickened, fermented soy-sauce-like substance, flavored with chilies, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and, of course, exotic spices. That’s really all I feel like I need to know, but if you happen to do some more research, and find out something interesting, please pass it along.

Like I said in the video, besides a decent marinade recipe, I hope this serves as a reminder for just how great a cut of beef skirt steak is. Unless you horribly overcook it, it’s always juicy, and tender, as long as you slice it across the grain. So, whether you serve it with coconut rice or not, I really hope you give this grilled hoisin beef a try soon. Enjoy!

Makes two portions:
* as with all marinades, feel free to add more of everything!

1 beef skirt steak, about a pound

1/3 cup hoisin sauce

3 tablespoons Chinese vinegar, or sherry vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons hot sauce

2 teaspoons sesame oil

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

4 cloves finely minced garlic

1 packed tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 green onion, light parts, minced

toasted sesame seeds

Share this recipe from Grilled Hoisin Beef – Not Necessarily Mongolian with your friends and groups

Grilled Fava Beans – Flavor Flav, Indeed

Learn how to do Grilled Fava Beans – Flavor Flav, Indeed for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Fava Beans – Flavor Flav, Indeed it is delicious

Make Grilled Fava Beans – Flavor Flav, Indeed

I bet fava beans would be a lot more popular if people knew how to cook them, or even what they were. For many people, these are just those mysterious, semi-scary, oversized green beans that they’re not sure what to do with.

Which is a shame, since they’re not only delicious, and easy to prepare, but also very versatile. Fava beans shine in salads, and pastas, as well as on pizzas.  The also, as I demonstrated the end of the video, make for a wonderful spread.

By the way, the ingredient amounts below are pure guesses, since this is not the kind of recipe we're going to measure stuff for. Let your conscience be your guide, but remember what we're eating is inside that charred pod, so season generously.

Fava beans should be readily available this time of year, especially at farmers markets, where they tend to be much cheaper that your high-end grocery stores. Regardless of where you find them, I really do hope you give this great bean, and even better technique a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 2 large or 4 small portions:

2 pounds whole fava beans

olive oil, as needed

2 lemons

1 tablespoon kosher salt, divided

3 whole, peeled, bruised garlic cloves

red pepper flakes to taste

2 tablespoons freshly sliced mint leaves

- Grill over high heat for about five minutes per side, or until the pods are soft and charred, and the beans inside are just tender.

WARNING: Some people have an allergy to fava beans. Make sure you don't.

Share this recipe from Grilled Fava Beans – Flavor Flav, Indeed with your friends and groups

Thai-Dipped Beef Tri Tip – Satay, Unskewered

Learn how to do Thai-Dipped Beef Tri Tip – Satay, Unskewered for your friends and family. this revenue from Thai-Dipped Beef Tri Tip – Satay, Unskewered it is delicious

Make Thai-Dipped Beef Tri Tip – Satay, Unskewered

There are so many examples of big foods being re-imagined into smaller, bite-sized versions, but going the other direction is not nearly as common. That's what I was attempting to do with this satay-inspired, Thai-dipped beef tri tip.

I enjoy beef satay way more than I do skewering small pieces of beef. Besides, I’ve never made satay, and not stuck a bamboo skewer into my finger at some point in the process. And not only did this involve less labor, but you can cook this in any number of ways.

I decided to go low and slow, over indirect charcoal heat, until I reached an internal temperature of 132 F.  If you’re in more of a hurry, you can cook tri tip over higher heat, and it’s perfectly fine, as long as it doesn’t overcook. You can also roast this in the oven at 325 F., just in case a thunderstorm tries to mess up your plans.

All the ingredients here are easy to find, with the possible exception of lemongrass. Most big city grocery stores carry it, but in other parts of the country, I’ve seen it sold as a tubed puree, displayed in the produce department. If you can’t find it, you can add some lemon juice and zest to adjust. Either way, I really hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for one beef tri tip roast:

2 1/2 pound trimmed beef tri tip top roast

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1/3 cup chopped lemon grass (peel off woodiest parts, pound with back of knife, then chop)

3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root

2 tablespoons grated raw onion

1/3 cup fish sauce

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

2 tablespoons ground coriander

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2  teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

- Grill, smoke, or roast to an internal temp of 130 to 135 F.

Share this recipe from Thai-Dipped Beef Tri Tip – Satay, Unskewered with your friends and groups

Grilled Greek Chicken – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Learn how to do Grilled Greek Chicken – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Greek Chicken – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! it is delicious

Make Grilled Greek Chicken – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Erin go what? On the surface, this may seem like an inappropriate St. Patrick’s Day recipe post, but I’ve always considered this holiday one of the official signs of spring, and since that means it’s grilling season, then maybe this is appropriate after all? Yes, I went a long way for that.

As I mentioned in the video, the secret to this simple chicken is a very powerful marinade. This is one of those rare recipes where, when in doubt, we add a little more. Above and beyond that, the only way to ruin this would be to singe the skin/marinade with too high, direct heat.

We really want to sort of roast these pieces on the grill. So, don’t build a huge fire, and wait for it to turn ashy, before using semi-indirect heat to slowly cook the meat through. This way we get a tender inside, as well as and a gorgeous, caramelized exterior.

This is so flavorful that you really don’t need a sauce, but some fresh lemon is nice, as is a spicy yogurt. Just squeeze a little lemon into some nice thick, Greek yogurt, spike it with hot sauce, and you have a perfect condiment. And speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, this stuff pairs wonderfully with beer. I really hope you give this grilled Greek chicken recipe a try soon. Enjoy!

For enough marinade for 6 chicken thigh/leg sections:

6 to 8 cloves garlic, totally crushed or very finely minced

2 tablespoons dried oregano and/or marjoram

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste

1 generous teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar

1/4 olive oil

about 1 tablespoon kosher salt to season chicken

Share this recipe from Grilled Greek Chicken – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! with your friends and groups

Grilled Bacon Meatloaf Burgers – Building a Faster Meatloaf Sandwich

Learn how to do Grilled Bacon Meatloaf Burgers – Building a Faster Meatloaf Sandwich for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Bacon Meatloaf Burgers – Building a Faster Meatloaf Sandwich it is delicious

Make Grilled Bacon Meatloaf Burgers – Building a Faster Meatloaf Sandwich

I love meatloaf, but not as much as I love meatloaf sandwiches. In fact, I’ll make a meatloaf just for the leftovers. I’ll fry the cold slice in a buttered pan until hot and crusty, and enjoy it on toast with ketchup. 

This is basically that, plus bacon, in burger form. What it lacks in loaf shape, it more than makes up for by being faster and easier. By the way, even though we’re grilling this in honor of Labor Day weekend, I actually think it’s better pan-fried. While I enjoy the smoky char the grill adds, I miss the crust you can only get on a really flat, really hot surface. I feel this way about burgers in general.

Also, if you cook this in a pan, you could deglaze, and spoon a little natural jus over the top. Either way, you’re looking at a delicious burger, and a nice change of pace from your usual cookout fare. I really hope you give these bacon meatloaf burgers a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 Bacon Meatloaf Burgers:

1 large egg, beaten

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder                       

cayenne pepper to taste

pinch dried thyme

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 pound ground chuck (85% lean)

1/4 cup plain bread crumbs

2/3 cup chopped cooked bacon

Share this recipe from Grilled Bacon Meatloaf Burgers – Building a Faster Meatloaf Sandwich with your friends and groups

Grilled Mojo Beef – Rhymes with “Everybody Say Ho!”

Learn how to do Grilled Mojo Beef – Rhymes with “Everybody Say Ho!” for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Mojo Beef – Rhymes with “Everybody Say Ho!” it is delicious

Make Grilled Mojo Beef – Rhymes with “Everybody Say Ho!”

I got a request for a Cuban-style mojo marinade recently, which sounded like something I’d enjoy making, but to be honest I wasn’t exactly sure what it was. I knew I was probably pronouncing it wrong, but other than that, I couldn’t remember having it anywhere.

I’d seen “mojo” sauces before, but they were at Spanish restaurants, and seemed to be chili-based; so I did a little of research, and of course, every single recipe I looked at was different. They all had garlic, citrus, and olive oil, but after that, the spices and seasonings varied greatly. So, this is basically a composite of what I saw, and it really came out well.

I think this would work great as an all-purpose marinade for just about any thing destined for the grill, but as I mentioned in the video, skirt steak would be my top choice.  Unless horribly overcooked, it always comes out juicy, and tender, as long as you slice it across the grain.  It also tends to really soak in the flavors of the marinade quite well, which I believe is due to it being such a well-marbled cut.

Once again, please excuse my makeshift brick grill, but I’m happy to report there’s help on the way.  So stay tuned for me to show that off soon, but in the meantime I really hope you get this delicious Cuban inspired mojo marinade a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 portions:
2 pounds beef skirt steak, cut into smaller pieces

1 large navel orange, juiced

3 limes, juiced

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling

6-8 cloves garlic, finely crushed

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro

extra lime wedges

Share this recipe from Grilled Mojo Beef – Rhymes with “Everybody Say Ho!” with your friends and groups

Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork – Surrounded on Three Sides by Flavor

Learn how to do Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork – Surrounded on Three Sides by Flavor for your friends and family. this revenue from Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork – Surrounded on Three Sides by Flavor it is delicious

Make Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork – Surrounded on Three Sides by Flavor

If the early feedback from the YouTube channel is any indication, this may not actually be “Yucatan-style,” and I couldn’t be less surprised.  I did no real research into the traditional foods of the Yucatan peninsula, and based the name of this dish solely on a pork chop I once enjoyed at a sports bar.

They called it “Yucatan-style,” and it featured vibrant citrus/chile flavors, as well as a beautiful orange hue, which I figured out was from ground annatto. This is the signature ingredient in the famous braised pork dish, cochonita pibil, and can be found at any Latin market, or your larger, fancier grocery stores.

As I mention in the video, I think this easy marinade would work on all kinds of pork cuts, but the tenderloin is very user-friendly, and it’s mild flavor really takes to these ingredients. I think 4 to 6 hours is plenty of time to marinade the meat, but I’m guessing that overnight would probably be fine as well.

Once grilled, you have so many options for enjoying these. Sandwiches, salads, and tacos are all wonderful choices, and I’ve also heard from a reliable source that diced, they make for an epic pan of nachos. This weekend is the official start of summer grilling season, and what better way to kick it off than this tasty, possibly Yucatanian treat? I really hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 to 6 portions:

2 whole pork tenderloin, trimmed

2 oranges

2 or 3 lemons

2 or 3 limes

6 cloves minced garlic

1 rounded teaspoon annatto powder, plus more to sprinkle on before grilling

1 teaspoon chipotle powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil before grilling

- I garnished with cilantro, and pickled onions. To make your own, thinly slice some red onions, and cover them with red or white wine vinegar. Leave to soak for 4 hours or overnight, and that's it! 

Share this recipe from Yucatan-Style Grilled Pork – Surrounded on Three Sides by Flavor with your friends and groups

Alabama-Style White BBQ Sauce – An Almost Labor-Free Sauce for Your Labor Day Grill

Learn how to do Alabama-Style White BBQ Sauce – An Almost Labor-Free Sauce for Your Labor Day Grill for your friends and family. this revenue from Alabama-Style White BBQ Sauce – An Almost Labor-Free Sauce for Your Labor Day Grill it is delicious

Make Alabama-Style White BBQ Sauce – An Almost Labor-Free Sauce for Your Labor Day Grill

This incredibly easy to make Alabama white barbecue sauce was invented in 1925 by Robert “Big Bob” Gibson at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q restaurant, in Decatur. When I first read this bit of culinary history, I had to smile, since I actually know the guy. Well, sort of.

I’ve been to two bbq “boot camps,” run by champion pitmaster Chris Lilly, who trained under a guy, who trained under Big Bob Gibson. Hey, that’s only three degrees of separation. Ironically, Chris never made, or used the white sauce on anything we cooked, but still, I know a guy, who knew a guy, who knew THE guy.

Some people find this concoction quite strange, but not me. It’s eerily similar to the Cornell chicken marinade, which I love. In fact, Mr. Robert C. Baker, the creator of the aforementioned recipe, may have borrowed the idea from Big Bob. I would investigate further, but I have real crimes to solve.

Don’t let this mixture’s appearance stop you from trying what is a devastatingly delicious marinade, baste, and sauce. One tip for basting on the grill: make sure you do it towards the end of cooking, and not over too-high heat. You don’t want flame-ups, as that will cause an off taste.

I brush on two or three applications to each side, over more indirect heat, and as you see in the video, it sears on nicely. As a table sauce, it’s great on any of the traditional barbecued meats, but since it’s really just a salad dressing, it’s also wonderful for making potato salad, coleslaw, and grilled vegetables. I hope you give this white barbecue sauce a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for about 3 cups of sauce:

2 cups mayonnaise

1/4 cup prepared extra-hot horseradish

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tsp yellow mustard

juice of one lemon

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Share this recipe from Alabama-Style White BBQ Sauce – An Almost Labor-Free Sauce for Your Labor Day Grill with your friends and groups

Turkish Chicken Kebabs – Expect More

Learn how to do Turkish Chicken Kebabs – Expect More for your friends and family. this revenue from Turkish Chicken Kebabs – Expect More it is delicious

Make Turkish Chicken Kebabs – Expect More

I’d like to think that all the chicken coming off American grills this summer will be as tasty, juicy, and tender, as these Turkish chicken kebabs, but I know better. This has nothing to do with cooking skills, or quality of grills, but rather the unremarkable residue of low expectations.

People simply don’t expect much from their grilled chicken, and that’s exactly what they get. They use too little seasoning, and way too much time on the grill, followed by the inevitable barbecue sauce cover-up. Sure, the chicken was dry, but at least we couldn’t taste it.

It doesn’t have to be this way. By using a flavorful, yogurt-based marinade, like the one seen herein, even inexperienced grillers can produce impressive results. The acid and calcium in the yogurt tenderizes the meat, and unless it’s horribly over-cooked, you’ll be enjoying the kind of succulent chicken you didn’t even realize was possible.

Like I mentioned in the video, I’m not sure how "Turkish" this is. It’s loosely based on a lamb marinade I’ve used for a long time, but it really worked beautifully on these thighs. I really hope you give this easy, and very adaptable recipe a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 large portions:

1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 or 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tbsp ketchup

6 finely minced garlic cloves

1 tbsp kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tbsp Aleppo red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

4 long metal skewers

Share this recipe from Turkish Chicken Kebabs – Expect More with your friends and groups

Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Basil – An Exceptional Summer Exception

Learn how to do Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Basil – An Exceptional Summer Exception for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Basil – An Exceptional Summer Exception it is delicious

Make Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Basil – An Exceptional Summer Exception

There are many people, myself included, that think cooking prosciutto is basically a crime against nature; but there are exceptions, and this plate of grilled peaches with burrata is one incredibly delicious example. 

Having said that, I used a domestic version, which works beautifully here, so we’re not expecting you to use up your precious prosciutto di Parma.

As far as the peaches go, you want something ripe, and sweet, but still somewhat firm. Above and beyond not being too soft, you must also make sure you’re buying “freestone” peaches. Non-freestone varieties will not separate as seen in the video. Ask the produce person at the market, and if they’re not sure, have them cut one open. They’re usually happy to do so!

After you talk to them, head over to the cheese department, and pick up some burrata. This extra rich and creamy cousin of mozzarella is not that hard to find, and really puts this over the top. You could use a nice, fresh mozzarella, or even a full-fat ricotta instead, but, if at all possible, find some burrata, and treat yourself to one of the world’s great cheese experiences. I hope you give this great summer recipe a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 2 large or 4 small portions:

2 ripe, sweet, but not soft peaches (must be “freestone”)

3 or 4 thin slices prosciutto, torn in ribbons

6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) burrata cheese

salt and pepper to taste

extra virgin olive oil as needed

1 tbsp finely sliced fresh basil leaves

Share this recipe from Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Basil – An Exceptional Summer Exception with your friends and groups

Grilled Garlic & Herb Shrimp – Why We Grow Our Own

Learn how to do Grilled Garlic & Herb Shrimp – Why We Grow Our Own for your friends and family. this revenue from Grilled Garlic & Herb Shrimp – Why We Grow Our Own it is delicious

Make Grilled Garlic & Herb Shrimp – Why We Grow Our Own

Now that we all have our very own culinary herb gardens, I thought I’d post a recipe that takes full advantage. This grilled garlic and herb shrimp recipe is very easy, IF you can just walk out into the backyard, and pick a handful of your own fresh, green sprigs.

Without that luxury, you’d have to buy four different bunches, and probably only use a little of each. What a waste. However, these are so amazingly delicious, if you don’t have a garden, you should do exactly that. Then plant the herb garden. 

While you're out buying stuff, pick up a mortar and pestle, if you don't already have one. A blender or food processor won't produce the same intense flavors as this primitive tool. It's all about the compounds released by the crushing, or at least that's what I've been told.

Try to get the largest shrimp you can find, since that will allow for maximum grilling time, which equals maximum caramelization, which is where so much of the flavor comes from. So, whether you have an herb garden or not, I really hope you give these great grilled shrimp a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 6 servings:

*Note: I just guessed at these amounts because it’s that kind of a recipe.

2 pounds 16/20 peeled and deveined shrimp

1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp lemon zest

3 or 4 cloves of garlic, sliced thin

1/2 cup of fresh picked and chopped herbs

I used basil, Italian parsley, oregano, and lemon thyme (everything works, but be careful with rosemary, as it can be over-powering)

About 4 to 6 tbsps of olive oil, or as needed

- Use 2/3 for the marinade, and save the other 1/3 for the sauce

For the sauce:

Reserved garlic herb marinade

Red chili flakes and cayenne to taste

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tbsp olive oil

season to taste

Share this recipe from Grilled Garlic & Herb Shrimp – Why We Grow Our Own with your friends and groups