Spice Up Barbecue Traditions: Experts Offer Tips for Your Next
Grill-out
(ARA) - Year after year we grill up the same barbecue fare: hot dogs,
hamburgers and chicken breasts. These party pleasers are always
delicious, but this year, why not add some extra spice to your barbecue
traditions? Two summer entertaining experts from Hormel Foods share
easy tips to serve up an inventive menu infused with new flavors at
your next summer grill-out!
Flavorful Grilling
“Barbecuing is a wonderful way to create delicious, smoky flavor while
keeping meat nice and juicy,” says Hormel Foods’ “Flavor Czar” Dan
Hernandez. “By experimenting with new ethnic flavors and spices, you
add some creativity to barbecue favorites like hamburgers and chicken.”
Hernandez offers the following tips:
* Get creative with condiments: Give your guests a welcome break from
the usual barbecue condiments like ketchup, mustard and relish. Try
topping your burger with a fresh, flavorful salsa, like CHI-CHI’S
Salsa, and a slice of pepper jack cheese for a Mexican twist.
* Mix up a marinade: Marinating meat adds flavor and tenderization
before cooking. Every marinade should contain an acidic ingredient,
such as vinegar or wine; an oil, such as olive or canola; and
seasonings, such as herbs and spices.
* Serve a savory side: For an easy side, slice up new potatoes and add
a dash of light olive oil, such as CARAPELLI Extra Light Olive Oil,
which is made in the Mediterranean for authentic taste. Mix in feta
cheese and rosemary, and cook on the grill in a foil pouch for a
no-mess Greek treat.
Nutritious Grilling
Summer favorites, while heavy on taste, can be heavy on calories.
Hormel Foods’ test kitchen director Joan Hanson offers these
calorie-saving tips to create tasty barbecue meals:
* Go lean: Choose white-meat poultry without the skin and lean cuts of
meat, such as sirloin, flank or tenderloin.
* Try turkey: Many barbecue favorites now have turkey substitutes
providing a leaner, lower-calorie option. Try making hamburgers with
ground turkey instead of ground beef or grill up a seasoned turkey
bratwurst, like JENNIE-O Beer ‘N Turkey Bratwurst.
* Flame-broil fruit: For a low-calorie dessert, try fruit on the grill!
Lightly brush cut fruit -- such as apples, pears and peaches -- with
canola oil, add a dash of cinnamon, place on skewers and grill for
about three minutes.
Safe Grilling
“Preparing and serving grilled entrees and side dishes in warm weather
can be tricky,” Hanson says. “Keeping food safe should be a top
priority.” Here are some food safety tips:
* Keep it cool: To prevent bacteria growth, keep perishable foods, like
potato salad, in the refrigerator or a cooler until just before
serving. Also, always thaw meat in the refrigerator or cooler, never at
room temperature or in the sun.
* Trust the temp: Bring your meat thermometer; cook hamburger and pork
to 160 degrees F and chicken and turkey to 165 degrees F. Here’s a good
rule: if the juices do not run clear, keep cooking.
* When in doubt, throw it out: After the meal, throw away any leftovers
that have become wet or have been left out for one hour on hot days.
For more creative grilling tips, flavorful recipes and food safety
guidelines, visit www.hormel.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
