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Kathleen Petty AVP/Sr Mortgage Originator Global Credit Union Home Loans AK#157293 Phone: (907)261-3458 Cell: 223-4440 Fax: (907)929-6699 License: NMLS Unique Identifier #203077 K.Petty@gcuhome.com https://www.globalcu.org/home-loans/resources/originators/Kathleen-Petty/ |
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August 2006
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Summer Grilling Part I Marinades & Tasty Side Dishes By Kirk Leins Summer is in full-swing and that means one thing. It's the height of grilling season! Some grill veterans have been firing up their barbecues since late spring while others may have just decided they no longer want to cook indoors. Regardless of where you stand, there are a few issues I'd like to discuss. Grill maintenance is key to every cook's success. If it's been a while since your grill was last used, you'll probably want perform a grill check-up. Whether you have a gas or charcoal grill, start by giving it a good cleaning. Cleaning methods can vary depending upon the brand and type, so be sure to consult the owner's manual or the company's website for tips on maintenance. If it's a gas grill, you'll want to inspect the lava rocks which lie directly above the burners and allow the heat to conduct evenly. If they look overly-worn, get rid of them. You can find replacement rocks at any home and garden store for a minimal cost. If your grill runs on propane, make sure there's still plenty of gas in the tank. It's also a good idea to keep a back-up tank on hand, as it prevents the awkwardness of running out when you're hosting family and friends. With the boring logistics out of the way, it's time to start thinking about what and how you grill. When handled correctly, a barbecue offers three distinct advantages. For starters, it's fast. Generally speaking, food cooks quickly on the grill, making it the perfect vehicle for getting dinner on the table. Secondly, it saves on cleanup. Grilling doesn't require nearly the amount of kitchen equipment that a stove typically will. Lastly, grilling allows the heat to remain outside of your home, where it belongs. Marinades Before I give you my recipes for three great marinades, I'd like to quickly share my philosophy on the subject. First and foremost, marinades need to be powerful. Meat is fairly dense and, in order to flavor it properly, the seasonings need to be big. The next sign of a great marinade is proper usage of the different flavor types (i.e. savory, sweet, spicy, and tart). My suggestion is to represent as many of them as you can with an understanding of the role they should play within the marinade. My last suggestion is that you try to include some type of oil in your marinades. Using oil will not only help with emulsifying your marinade, it also enables the mixture to adhere to the meat. Chipotle Lime Marinade
Add all ingredients except the oil to a blender or food processor. Process the mixture until smooth. While continuing to process, slowly add in oil. Process until fully emulsified. This marinade tastes great on everything from pork chops and prawns to swordfish and chicken wings. If you're using seafood, allow it to marinate for no longer than one hour. For anything else, feel free to marinate for up to four hours. Be sure to reserve some of the marinade for basting. Before grilling, wipe the marinade off the meat to prevent burning. Toward the end of the cooking process, baste the meat with reserved marinade. Ginger/Lemongrass Marinade
Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor and process until lemongrass is fine. This marinade works well with both flank steak and chicken on the bone. Fish is another option as it tastes great with salmon, sea bass, and halibut. Once again, marinate fish no longer than one hour and the chicken or steak for up to four hours. Gremolata Marinade
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and, using a spoon, whisk together until fully mixed. Allow mixture to sit for 15 minutes before marinating meat. This marinade is a favorite of mine for skirt steak, boneless chicken breasts, and any grilled vegetables. It also makes a great topping for eggs and an awesome dip for crusty bread. Side Dishes Barbecued Potatoes
Preheat your grill. Spray bottom of roasting pan with non-stick spray. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise, and cut into half moons roughly 1/4 inch thick. Place sliced potatoes into a large bowl. Add onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper to bowl. Season the mixture liberally with salt and pepper. Toss with olive oil (roughly 1/3 cup) until all potatoes are well-coated. Add contents to the roasting pan and cover with aluminum foil. Place roaster onto a hot grill and close lid. Allow potatoes to cook for 45 minutes. Using a thin spatula, stir potatoes every 15 minutes, making sure you scrape from the bottom. This practice ensures many crispy bits in your finished product. Don't forget to make sure that everyone gets at least one clove of roasted garlic. Barbecued Corn
Remove husks and silk from the ears of corn. In a bowl, allow butter to come close to room temperature. Add lime juice, garlic, herbs and spices, and mix to combine. Return bowl to fridge and allow butter to slightly harden. Smear equal amounts of butter mixture onto individual ears of corn. Wrap each ear in a 12” by 12” piece of foil. Place ears onto grill over a medium to medium-low heat. Cook for 15 minutes, turning frequently. Unwrap and serve. There you go, friends, Part I of my all-encompassing homage to the summer barbecue. Just wait till Part II! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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