Hot Fun In The Summertime
Great Grill Recipes Perfect For Outdoor Entertaining
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Grilling is a year-round activity in Florida, but summer is the peak season for outdoor entertaining. Whether you are hosting a large backyard cookout or an intimate meal for two, here are some recipes and helpful hints to make any gathering an affair to remember.
PEACH-GLAZED BABY BACK RIBS - Helen Retty, Gainesville
Ingredients
10-ounce jar peach preserves
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom or ground cinnamon
4-5 lbs. pork loin back ribs or meaty spareribs
Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
When grilling ribs, use a drip pan to catch the drippings. Otherwise they can land on the fire and cause flare-ups. Follow your grill's instructions on how to place the pan.
Make the glaze by stirring together the preserves, lemon juice, mustard and cardamom or cinnamon in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the preserves are melted. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat the grill to medium-hot. Cut the ribs into serving-size pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. Place the ribs on the grill rack over the drip pan. Cover and grill for 1 1/2 to 1 1/2 hours or until ribs are tender and no pink remains, brushing with sauce during the last 15 minutes of grilling. Serve with additional sauce. Serves 4.
GRILLED LAMB CHOPS - Wendy Freyler, The Villages
Ingredients
4-6 lamb chops, thick with bone in
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3/4 cup dry vermouth
Mix the mustard and vermouth and pour into a plastic zipper-top bag. Add chops and marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours, flipping every 30-45 minutes to evenly coat the meat. Preheat the grill to medium and cook the chops for 8-10 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chops.
GRILLED FRUIT KABOBS WITH HONEY LIME YOGURT DIP - reprinted from DisneyFamily.com
Ingredients
2 pounds assorted firm fruit, cut into chunks (some suggestions include strawberries, pineapple, mango, apples, bananas and kiwi)
8 metal or bamboo skewers
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
Preheat grill to medium-high and make sure grate is clean.
Thread chunks of washed, peeled or seeded fruit onto skewers. If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for 10 minutes to minimize chances of burning. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning carefully so fruit does not fall off of skewers.
Remove from heat and serve with dip.
For dip: Combine yogurt, honey and lime zest and stir until well blended. Keep chilled until serving time.
Helpful Grilling Hints
Preheat your grill for 5-10 minutes. Much like an indoor oven, a preheated grill helps to ensure that your food cooks more evenly and that your cooking time stays true to the recipe.
When grilling slow-cooking food such as ribs, try not to open the grill to check progress. This allows heat to escape, which can extend your cooking time by as much as 15 minutes at a time.
Watch for flare-ups, which can be caused by fat from meat dripping onto the fire. Keep a spray bottle of water next to the grill to douse the flames if they start to burn the meat.
Keep safety in mind at all times. Use your grill in a well-ventilated area away from buildings and flammable materials. Keep a garden hose nearby in case the fire gets out of hand (plus a box of baking soda for grease fires). Use long-handled utensils made specifically for grilling to handle the food while cooking.
Other outdoor entertaining ideas
Lawn games are a great icebreaker. Set up a croquet course before your guests arrive or clear a flat part of your lawn for a bocce tournament. A game of horseshoes is also a relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors, or play a round of tetherball or swingball (like tetherball but with a tennis ball and plastic rackets).
Ward off pests with pretty (mesh or rattan) plate covers. Plate covers come in a wide variety of colors, adding decorative flair to your table while keeping flies off your guests' food. Use an insecticide several hours before your gathering so guests do not smell the spray. Light some citronella candles to create a mood-setting glow.
Expand your grilling horizons by hosting an outdoor breakfast or brunch. A griddle pan can be used on the grill to make eggs, hash browns or anything you would cook in a frying pan on the kitchen stove. And like vegetables, fruit can be lightly grilled for a tasty morning treat. Pour some juice, coffee, mimosas or Bloody Marys for an outdoor meal that takes advantage of the cooler morning air.
Have fun with a theme. Being outdoors lends itself to themes based on the season. Spread out some beach towels to recreate a day at the shore, play some mariachi music for an evening fiesta, or set out bouquets of fresh flowers for a garden party. Then find related recipes to match your décor.
Have a backup plan. How does the saying go about Florida? "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes." Blue skies can give way to thunderstorms with scant notice in North Central Florida. Have a plan to move food, drinks, tables and other items inside quickly in case it rains, and check the weather radar regularly. §
