It’s no wonder that Father’s Day and BBQ season fall within the same month. Dads are practically anointed with grilling utensils on the arrival of their first born. A man and his grill have a special bond; he becomes one with his primal instincts in providing delicious grilled provisions for his family while mastering the skill of creating smoky flavors and optimal internal temperature, from well-done to medium-rare.
As summer rolls in and the picnic blankets roll out, we know that everyone is looking to elevate their barbecue game to the next level. Since the Doris family prides itself on all things yummy, we’ve rounded up the best BBQ grilling hacks to make sure that your cook-outs summer will have everyone abuzz- and we really mean it, especially with our “bar”-b-cue inspired Father’s Day cocktail recipe!
Doris’s Favorite Grill Hacks
- Use flavored woodchips. Look into lumpwood and hardwood charcoal to upgrade the flavor-factor for anything you place on the grill. Hickory and oak are great for pork and fish while cherry and apple wood add a pinch of sweetness to your fare.
- Clean your grill with a halved onion. Might sound crazy but it works! Stick a fork into a half-cut fresh onion and use the flat side to scrub your grill’s grate. This is a natural way to get rid of greasy residue from your last cookout. It even adds a bit of flavor too!
- Split your coals into two sections. Prevent overcooking your fish and meats by keeping coals on one side of the grill while the other can be used to finish off a sear without the risk of burning.
- Grill fish on top of lemon slices. Nothing is worse than having your beautiful salmon filet stick to the grill. Prevent this disaster by grilling it on top of a bed of lemon slices! They will keep the filet from sticking and also add the perfect amount of citrusy flavor.
- Brine beforehand. Consider throwing your beef, pork or fish into a simple brine overnight or a couple hours before grilling. Use a mixture of 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 cups of water to help keep everything tender.
- Use foil! Foil is immensely useful for grilling. Create “smoke pouches’ to keep large roasts tender and also for vegetables that can be grilled together without sticking to the grate or falling apart.
Doris’s Favorite BBQ Recipes
- Homemade Cheesy Italian Grilled Garlic Bread
o Combine 6 cloves of roasted garlic and butter into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Spread 1 tbsp of butter on each side of your sliced Italian bread (about ¼ inch thick) and grill butter-side down until golden brown. Turn each slice over and sprinkle with chopped or dried parsley and a blend of shredded Romano and Parmesan cheese. Continue to grill for an additional 30 seconds until melted. - Italian Marinade
o Traditional Italians aren’t big on heavy bbq sauces. Try something lighter instead. Use classic Italian seasonings to prepare this marinade for 4 chicken breasts before throwing it on the grill. Combine ½ chopped white onion, ¼ cup of olive oil with 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp of Dijon mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried basil and ½ tsp of dried oregano along with salt to taste. Let this sit for at least a half hour before grilling. - Fire Roasted Red Peppers!
o An iconic Italian side dish that can be found on any grill across the country are large red bell peppers that are cut down the middle, stuffed with minced fresh garlic and drizzled in olive oil. Adding just a pinch of salt, envelop these peppers in a foil pouch that will be placed on the grill. These peppers will be a hit so make sure you make enough! Garnish them with a splash of balsamic vinegar for extra tanginess.
Doris’s Father’s Day Cocktail:
Babbo’s Grilled Limoncello Lemonade
This cocktail is unique because it ties in our bbq theme for this festive holiday celebrating dads. While dad is firing up the grill, make him a pitcher of this ultimately refreshing limoncello lemonade made with actual grilled lemons!
What you’ll need to make 1 pitcher:
- 16 halved lemons, lightly grilled (squeezed into 2 cups of lemon juice)
- 2 cups water
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 4 ounces of your favorite citrus vodka
- 4 ounces Limoncello (or Limoncino)
Add all ingredients together and garnish with some freshly sliced lemons and as much ice as you desire. If you’re feeling fancy, add sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme for an incredible added aroma.
This Father’s Day, we hope all of our valued customers are able to spend time with their loved ones while enjoying delicious good and drink together. Come in for all of your picnic and cookout needs. We have fresh produce, meats and fish available! Make sure to ask about our BBQ package specials when planning your next big bbq!