PrintCook the Book: 'Prime Time Grilling'
You know, I realize that Memorial Day and Labor Day are great bookends for summer here in the U.S., but as a rather literal-minded person, I've always had a problem with that. They both occur well before the official start and end of the season. But what really gets me is that they're both used to mark the opening and closing of "grilling season," what with numerous newspaper and magazine articles trumpeting the arrival of grilling season and then a whole other flurry urging you to light your grill while you still can.
Anyone who's a serious griller, however, knows that the whole year is grilling season. And that's why we've chosen Lobel's Prime Time Grilling
The book was written by Stanley, Leon, Evan, Mark, and David Lobel, the men behind Lobel's of New York, one of the Big Apple's premier butcher shops, and the recipes, tips, and information given in the book are as reliable and foolproof as you could expect from a shop that's been operating and selling some of the best meats for generations.
The first of our recipes of the week will be along shortly, but first ...
Win a Copy of 'Prime Time Grilling'
We're giving away ten (10) copies of the book. Simply answer the following question here in the comments section: What's the one grilling accessory you can't do without?
Winners will be chosen at random from among the commenters. Comments will close Saturday, September 8, at noon ET. The usual contest rules apply.
Comments are closed: 68 Comments:
A wire grill brush is essential. Clean grates keep food from sticking and are crucial for good grill marks.
coolname at 4:31PM on 09/04/07
A non-stick perforated grill wok. Indispensable for grilling a up a big load of veggies all at once. Quick flick of the wrist to turn them and easy to unload into a bowl/platter.
rheogs at 4:32PM on 09/04/07
All I need besides software and charcoal is a pair of tongs!
..my fingers were getting really burnt before I bought them.
jjjustinnn at 4:34PM on 09/04/07
My apron! I'm a mess when it comes to grilling and usually slop some bbq sauce or marinade on myself so an apron is essential.
ceforrester at 4:38PM on 09/04/07
An instant-read thermometer -- if I'm shelling out the bucks for some of Lobel's dry-aged prime beef, I don't want to lessen the experience by overcooking it even one degree!
Dominic
the zen kitchen
dvchurch at 4:48PM on 09/04/07
I'm with jjjustinnn. I definitely need a pair of tongs to grill. I don't know how I would grill without them.
breukelencook at 4:58PM on 09/04/07
a really long pair of tongs!
SheRa at 5:06PM on 09/04/07
Oxo tongs--great grips, good length, very easy to flip those burgers, steaks, shrimps, and veggies!
bobcatsteph3 at 5:12PM on 09/04/07
A cold beer.
crafty at 5:16PM on 09/04/07
I guess the new gas barbeque we bought to replace a 3rd hand mostly dead one doesn't really count as an accessory, does it? In that case, I have to go with really long tongs too.
Peasantwench at 5:17PM on 09/04/07
An insta-read thermometer is an absolute. It doesn't matter to me if I'm using tongs or a flippin' spatula, even with hot dogs ... which one I pick seems to be a matter of my mood. But if I can't thermo my meter, it's all over.
LunaPierCook at 5:21PM on 09/04/07
I find a chimney starter to be the most useful and necessary accessories for grilling. Although a good spatula is always helpful.
Eroca at 5:34PM on 09/04/07
My husband's the real grill meister in our house, but to speak for him I would have to agree with others and say the Oxo tongs!
Jeana at 5:48PM on 09/04/07
Mmmm. Long tongs AND a long-handled spatula. Mah Man likes a long-handled fork. I guess the most important piece of equipment besides the grill is the wire brush we use to clean the hot grill!
dksbook at 6:26PM on 09/04/07
The chimney starter gets my vote.
dowbits at 6:41PM on 09/04/07
I can not grill without marinade, any kind, essential in grilling meat.
justboycrazy at 6:47PM on 09/04/07
Definitely my pair of tongs... I'd be lost without them.
Alm25 at 6:57PM on 09/04/07
A long-handled grill brush.
Marvin at 7:37PM on 09/04/07
salt.
ebpizza at 7:39PM on 09/04/07
I second the cold beer vote.
wizzy at 8:00PM on 09/04/07
i third the cold beer vote. and the chimney. i refuse to eat grilled food made with coals that have been started with lighter fluid, or those toxic little fluid-infused briquettes.
seyo at 8:41PM on 09/04/07
the instant reader thermometer is a must for me
zekks at 8:48PM on 09/04/07
my roommate. i once burned off all the little baby hairs on my hairline, so she's in charge of the actual grilling. I just do side dishes.
LiveToEat at 8:50PM on 09/04/07
Agreed, I need a good meat thermometer to cook my Costco steaks to perfection!
CambridgeFoodie at 9:20PM on 09/04/07
My digital thermometers is the one I can't live without. First started using one when my mother would freak out when a burger was pink inside at all (afraid of e coli), but it is actually useful to watch that things don't get overdone.
xalexx at 10:04PM on 09/04/07
A solid pair of tongs.
And my husband's fingers--I'm pretty sure they're made of asbestos. No need for a meat thermometer. Proper poking and prodding of the meat will determine when it's medium rare!
dragonroll at 10:16PM on 09/04/07
I'm going with the crowd and saying an Instant Read Thermometer.
grs100 at 10:35PM on 09/04/07
I agree....long, good-quality tongs and an instant read thermometer are essential to the grilling process.
And I have to say, a nice bright light, since we tend to grill and eat late at night.
Erinay77 at 12:24AM on 09/05/07
Chimney starter, tongs, 32 oz Cerveza Carta Blanca
intheyearofthepig at 9:02AM on 09/05/07
grilling without a beer in my hand is not really possible. in the summer, preferably a three floyds gumballhead or bell's oberon (when i can get them), or a smuttynose ipa. beer.. mmm...
goodbyeohio at 9:10AM on 09/05/07
One cannot grill without a grill.
Pierogi at 10:44AM on 09/05/07
goodbyeohio ... there's a lone Bell's Oberon in my fridge ... and it's mine ... :-D
LunaPierCook at 10:48AM on 09/05/07
Good solid tongs!
jpark107 at 11:29AM on 09/05/07
Having an actual grill helps.
EmmaC at 11:29AM on 09/05/07
My husband is the grilling item I cannot do without -- he does all the grilling!!
Mizbee at 11:49AM on 09/05/07
Tongs are essential for grilling. An apron is essential for not getting meat juices all over myself. I also like to keep a large, sharp knife handy, just in case.
Stufsocker at 11:50AM on 09/05/07
Fire extinguisher. Doesn't have to even work. I just feel better about pouring beer straight onto the chicken if I know it's there.
bpjc at 12:37PM on 09/05/07
tongs
hedgehog at 1:01PM on 09/05/07
pig
olddad at 1:13PM on 09/05/07
Good friends.
Bosmer at 1:31PM on 09/05/07
lack of rain
stevebillings at 2:10PM on 09/05/07
My "Kiss the Cook" apron!
Mike13241 at 2:12PM on 09/05/07
My rotisserie. I can grill two turkeys at a time with it and in my family, that's indispensable. Oh and definitely one of my ice-cold, home-brewed hard ciders. God ... my mouth is watering as I type.
dukeofpornia at 2:14PM on 09/05/07
long grill tongs!
secreteater at 2:29PM on 09/05/07
My custom grill / smoker, chimney starter, and lump charcoal.
Colorado Jim at 2:33PM on 09/05/07
Heavy duty tongs....not those cheap scissor type
1stmakearoux at 3:36PM on 09/05/07
Of course tongs and a chimney starter so the food doesn't taste like starter fluid, but have you grillers discovered the wonders of the Oxo insulated glove? I can't believe that suddenly, at my advanced age, I will finally be able to turn grill items (and oven items) without burning the inside of my arm. Burns may be a cook's badge of honor, but it's one badge I am happy to do without---thanks to OXO oven mitts.
Teachertalk at 4:28PM on 09/05/07
Definitely my tongs as I am very burn prone. :-)
cherierj at 4:41PM on 09/05/07
An electric charcoal starter, no starter fluid for this cookie. I've tried the chimney but I prefer the electric starter which has the added advantage of enabling you to brand any passing cattle immediately after being removed from the grill.
Kabanos at 4:52PM on 09/05/07
Either my chimney (starter) or my partner (as she is the grilling expert)...
aburke at 9:01PM on 09/05/07
Tongs! My fingertips aren't made of asbestos...
madball911 at 9:26PM on 09/05/07
tongs!
Josh Baugher at 9:44PM on 09/05/07
Gas. I'm a total novice to the grill, and having a gas grill is making it so much easier for me to fire it up spontaneously. Someday I'll graduate to charcoal!
Littlebluesiren at 11:00PM on 09/05/07
Cracked pepper, tongs, and an absence of vicious wild (hungry) animals...
miso at 3:35AM on 09/06/07
Long stainless steel tongs....can't live without them!
mepolo at 8:02AM on 09/06/07
My timer.....Two minutes can be ten, if I forget it! Love Lobel's steaks....
margot at 10:19AM on 09/06/07
latex gloves
gavri at 10:33AM on 09/06/07
A raw potato . . . to rub the grate to keep delicate things like fish from sticking.
dikaryon at 1:46PM on 09/06/07
A grill!
LoDega at 1:50PM on 09/06/07
My favorite grilling "gadget" (I wouldn't call him a tool) is my husband! He happily mans the grill almost every evening, producing some very tasty meals. He will even occasionally grill steaks or burgers when there is snow on the ground.
amylou61 at 3:24PM on 09/06/07
I could not grill without my faithful chimney starter.
elysek at 11:28PM on 09/06/07
Outdoor space. Living in Manhattan...grilling is just not possible. Which is why we're moving off the island and getting a place with a big terrace!
hungrychicken at 10:04AM on 09/07/07
chimney starter
enlil at 7:11PM on 09/07/07
Charcoal. I can't grill without charcoal! It's the only way.
MissRead at 12:03AM on 09/08/07
I need my tongs to turn my steak over in a safe manner. I also relly enjoy garlic olive oil wih salt and pepper as my marinade.
sln123 at 12:23PM on 09/08/07
a pair of double thick leather, log-turner fireplace gloves....that I use to reach into the inferno and pick up and turn long metal skewers of lamb, chicken, veggies....
coastalvicar
coastalvicar at 12:58AM on 09/09/07
tongs!
jennifer57 at 12:00PM on 09/09/07
Congratulations to this week's winners: elysek, mepolo, cherierj, Teachertalk, hedgehog, goodbyeohio, CambridgeFoodie, wizzy, Alm25, and Eroca. I'll be emailing you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to everyone for their comments!
Alaina Browne at 11:25AM on 09/10/07