A French chef once said “the secret of life is … butter”.
Many people say that good barbecue requires a great grill to cook outdoors. No matter if your grill is gas, charcoal or stone, the secret to good barbecue is in the way you prepare your meat. Here are three great recommendations to season your way to a great barbecue dinner:
Savory Butters
Savory butters are an excellent way to add flavor after cooking if placed on a steak or baked potato. Garlic butter is a favorite and the most popular butter to use. Another great savory butter option is butter and parsley.
It is very easy to prepare. Just take 4 ounces of soft butter, a few drops of lemon juice, a tablespoon of fresh parsley (crushed) and black pepper to taste. Mix all the ingredients and refrigerate. You can use other combinations like radishes, anchovies, sweet peppers, curry, or finely grated lemon peels.
Marinades
A marinade can make an ordinary piece of meat, fish or poultry into a flavorful sensation. It is the combination of an acidic ingredient, oil and fresh herbs and spices that help to tenderize and retain those natural juices to your food.
Lime juice, lemon juice, vinegar, wine, soy sauce, yogurt, and tomato are the acidic ingredients that help to tenderize the meat and poultry or enhance the flavor of seafood. The oil helps to retain the meat, poultry or fish’s natural juices. Olive oil is the most popular oil to use for a marinade, but you can also use other oils made from nuts, herbs or seeds. Fresh herbs and spices, including garlic or onion, are the ingredients that culminate the marinade into a great one
According to experts, the golden rule on how to prepare a marinade consists of 25% oil, 50% acidic ingredient and the rest in condiments per 8 ounces.
Sauces
The most popular to give flavor in any barbecue are the sauces. The variety of flavors are extensive; sweet, sour, hot or mild. You can get them ready to eat in a glass jar at your favorite supermarket. When sauces are homemade, they become your own and it make the barbecue your best tasting barbecue yet.
A classic barbecue sauce can be made by using what you already have in your kitchen, and then a adding bit of some common ingredients from your cupboard.
Classic Barbecue Sauce:
- 1 cup of cold water
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of white or apple vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (gluten-free preferred)
- 4 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons of ketchup
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 tablespoons of dark molasses
- 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons of yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon of chili flakes or hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of onion powder
- 2 teaspoons of Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a deep saucepan. Continue to stir all ingredients until they all blend together. Heat the mixture in medium temperature for an hour, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens. This may take up to an hour. Let the mixture cool and then place it in a glass jar or, if ready to eat right away, apply it to your meats and poultry.
So, no matter what time of the year it is, the secret of a good barbecue is in the flavor.