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Cook the Book: 'Mario Batali Italian Grill'

Book CoverMemorial Day weekend is all about grilling. This Friday, all over America, home cooks will dig barbecue tongs, forks, and spatulas out of their kitchen drawers, and wheel dusty Webers out of their garages. Supermarkets will set up mountainous displays of charcoal, only to sell out in minutes, along with shrink-wrapped hot dogs, sacks of hamburger buns, and economy-sized bags of chips. Not to mention six-packs of beer.

Memorial Day food isn't fussy or fancy. (This isn't the time to break out your new Kugelhopf pan, or test a recipe for salmon mousse canapés.) Instead, when the flames fire up and the iron grate starts to sizzle, people want to heap their paper plates full of food with big, bold flavors. Who better to look to for menu suggestions than bad-boy celebrity chef Mario Batali?

In his new cookbook, Mario Batali Italian Grill, Batali offers up eighty recipes for appetizers, pizzas, fish and shellfish, poutry, meat, and vegetables, plus sixty full-color photographs. Italian grilling isn't about thick barbecue sauces and heavy basting; instead, the flavors are light, but they still pack a punch (think good olive oil, red wine, garlic, chili flakes, citrus, and fresh herbs).

Win Mario's Book or a Chance to Tailgate with Mario

If you'd like a chance to win to tailgate with Mario at the Texas Motor Speedway on November 2, visit this page and submit your grilling recipe and video demonstration of it. Grand prize winner will grill with Mario and grab two VIP tickets to the Dickies 500 race in Fort Worth.

In addition to that, you can enter to win one of five copies of Mario Batali Italian Grill from Serious Eats for your own backyard library. Just tell us here on this post what your favorite grilling condiment is and why.

Five (5) people will be chosen at random from among eligible comments below. Comments will close Monday, May 26 at noon ET. The standard Serious Eats contest rules apply.

Comments are closed: 423 Comments:

Extra virgin olive oil.

Hoisin sauce

Pomagranite molasses because it sticks to the meat and is sweet enough to create carmelization but is also tart which gives a complexity of flavor to the sauce that you are grilling with,

I am *obsessed* with BBQ sauce, which is even weirder since I am vegetarian.

I could act like I'm some kind of uber-gourmand and say something like "mayonnaise" and talk about fancy things like how the fats separate and char beautifully (which they do). But I'm not going to that. That would be insincere. Because everybody knows the best grilling condiment is barbeque sauce. I don't know how specific I should be; whether or not I should pick a favorite brand (Stubb's) or recipe (the "blue ribbon" bbq sauce recipe on food network, but with a few indian spices thrown in for a kick), but it all simmers down (ha!) to bbq sauce. Anyone who says otherwise is liar and a fraud and should be called out as such.

Now gimme my Batali book.

My favorite grilling condiment is McCormick grill mates Montreal Steak seasoning.

To the dude who said "pomagranite molasses": you totally misspelled "barbeque sauce." You weren't even close.

To the dude who said "hoison sauce": you're just being more specific and regional about the kind of barbeque sauce. The answer is still barbeque sauce.

I like KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce

I make my own bbq sauce, it has an Asian influence. Honey, ketchup, and lite soy sauce. That's my favorite grilling condiment.

Chimichurri. Those Argentinians know how to grill meat. Accept no substitutes.

My boyfriend and his family are from Cleveland and they've turned me onto the infamous "Stadium Mustard." Simple and delicious. You can't really go wrong.

My fave grilling condiments are olive oil, lemon, black pepper and salt.

Stubb's bbq sauce and Montreal Steak Spice - the italian market here in St Pete does their own version, and it is even better than the major brands - less overwhelming salt, more flavor. Actually, Montreal Steak Spice is probably my favorite everything condiment, not just grilling condiment.

a barbeque rub -- primarily homemade chile powder, paprika, mustard powder, kosher salt, brown sugar. That stuff would enhance stones.

Garlic, black pepper and salt. No steak needs more than that.

KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce.

Olive oil. So good.

Can't do anything without olive oil!

Olive oil and Lawry's Seasoning Salt. I know it's trashy but I love it.

Favorite condiment is BBQ sauce for sure. Usually doctored up to make it a bit sweeter. I love BBQ!

Since I love practically all condiments this is a toughie, lately I've loved Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute for grilling veggies.

I really love a good rub down ;) especially on my grilled meats. Also, um, BBQ sauce. Mmmmmm.

I would say olive oil as it makes everything it touches on a grill tasty and delicious.

Butter - all over freshly grilled corn. I'm salivating at my desk now...

mmmm chimichurri...

home made teriyaki sauce, yum

Fruit and chili pepper salsa, like mangoes and jalapenos, or pineapple, tomatillo and poblanos. It's a terrific splash of zingy refreshment that compliments deep smoky bbq flavors.

I love the Iron Chef's General Tso's Glaze. Its sweet and tangy with a touch of hot.

Maldon Salt... great flavor, and the flakes combine with the juices and fat to create a great carmelized exterior.

black pepper & garlic

Just salt and pepper

Salt, oil, & Lemon.

Olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh rosemary.

Olive Oil, hopefully the really good stuff my inlaws make. (If I have any left.)

A stretch as condiments go, but I can't do any grilling w/o some oak for the fire and carne. I'll take apple for the salmon, hickory for the ribs. Toss in some S&P, fohgetaboutit.
Raoul

A good sprinkle of Italian seasoning can make anything taste great on a grill. I use it with pork, chicken, and veggies such as squash. Olive oil works great with it too.

olive oil, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Teriyaki with olive oil because it's kind of sticky and tastes great when grilled.

olive oil, salt and lemon juice.......

mystery marinade with anything that is currently in fridge/pantry: fast food condiment packets, salad dressing, orange or other fruit juices, cola, pickles, etc.

Can I just pick Mario and not a condiment? ;) BBQ sauce for me - I love how there are so many to choose from and always new flavors coming out.

Stubb's BBQ Sauce!

Chimmichurri... yum

barbecue sauce, of course--and not that fussy about what kind.

Canola oil for the grill grate, and my own spice rub blend, with a ton of cumin. Makes your nose tickle!

I just use olive oil, salt and pepper. It goes with everything.

my special home made rub......half cajun seasoning and half brown sugar

My favorite grilling condiment is using beer to baste whatever I'm grilling!

Olive Oil infused with crushed garlic. Melted butter with minced garlic to finish.

Olive oil, salt and pepper. Simple, but good.

nantucket gourmet's renaissance rub - it's my go-to for a great grilled turkey breast!

Olive oil and a little seasoning with some salt and pepper...

Definitely olive oil.

Olive oil. It makes everything so good.

Just coarse black pepper and salt!

Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce

Lawry's season salt. It tastes great on everything.

Cumin and BBQ sauce.....

Butter! It makes a great finish for anything coming off the grill...whether its a juicy steak or a fresh ear of corn.

Butter and Dinosaur BBQ sauce

balsamic vinegar, olive oil, herbes de provence is great for grilled veggies

Fish sauce and ginger.

My favorite grilling condiment is fresh chiles. We go for the spice in this household.

Olive oil, freshly ground pepper, Maldon salt, balsamic vinegar: They are always on hand, make everything taste great, and can be used in marinades, rubs, basting sauces, and after-grilling seasoning.

Teriyaki sauce. I love teriyaki chicken. I think the sweet and salty flavor works great.

Crushed hot pepper

garlic butter

When in doubt, we find that McCormick's Montreal Steak seasoning goes on everything. Sometimes even salmon.

Sweet Baby Rays original bbq sauce. It's just the best bottled sauce I've tried, and it works every time. The bottle is right...the sauce is the boss!

Olive oil and salt. That's it.

I really like olive oil & steak seasoning, I use it on everything!

preserved lemon. its salty-tartness elevate smoke, cut through fatty meats, and highlight sweet caramelized flavors. plus its really versatile. yum!

Actually love grilled pineapple!

Frank's Red Hot

Sounds wierd but I love pesto on potatoes that are sliced thin and wrapped in tin foli and grilled. YUM!

Crazy Jane Mixed Up Salt. My family as been using this on steaks and meats cooked on the grill for 40 years.It has become a family tradition. It gives everything a great flavor. Yummy!

Oh man, I love the Stubb's beef marinade. That stuff is so good.

Mainly, just salt.

I love McCormacks Montreal steak seasoning too. Also a big fan of lemon pepper.

Salt and pepper, of course. ljblali says hoisin sauce; what is a good brand?

MY bbq sauce...sweet and hot and yummy.

The "Bicentennial Rub" from Penzey's. I've yet to grill anything that it hasn't tasted great on.

Garlic olive oil on the veggies, then a spiced mayonnaise to dip them into after they're grilled to perfection... Veggie barbecue only for me!

olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic.

olive oil, lemon juice, Kosher Salt, fresh ground pepper and garlic.

oyster sauce! yum :)

Butter & BBQ sauce

My favorite condiment this year is "Salsa". It is so versatile and makes a hamburger, hot dog or grilled sausage link.......sizzle. It's also great on chicken, pork, etc., etc.,

A good Olive Oil for veggies and Jack Daniels BBQ sauce on chicken rocks!

I love olive oil not just because of the flavor it adds but also because of the health benefits

archer farms buffalo wing blue cheese dipping sauce, it makes amazing chicken

Lemon and lime (I learned my acids from Mario).

BBQ sauce makes everything better!

My favorite grilling condiments are the Lawry's marinades.

Caribbean Jerk and Teriyaki are the best!

Classic yellow mustard

teriyaki sauce for chicken or steak, worcestershire sauce and garlic salt on hamburgers

BBQ sauce, yummy!

I love BBQ sauce!

I love jazzing up my burgers with condiments such as guacamole, pesto, tapenade, black bean salsa, or Italian dressing. YUMMO!

i enjoy a honey bbq sauce

Olive oil, salt and pepper, and garlic!

vinaigrette with olive oil, citrus, salt and pepper, fresh herbs...ummmmmm

Salt and pepper!

I use a home-made fennel spice mix, some good sea salt a bit of olive oil. Or just some s&p, olive oil and then some good balsamic vinagar while it's resting after cookin

its a tie between olive oil and salt

Crisp salsa made out of pineapple, jicama and mango (with some mint). It is a wonderful accompaniment to grilled fish, chips and even on ice cream! A refreshing change to the heavy bbq sauces and meat-laden foodstuff at typical bbqs

i have a special family bbq recipe, but the main (and best!) component is hp sauce. yum

lemon juice, olive oil and garlic marinade

BBQ Sauce also.

BBQ sauce mixed with a little teriyaki sauce

For me it would be Garlic powder, adds a tang to almost anything

Chili lime butter.

Lemon juice and a good barbecue sauce.

lime and tomatillo salsa, with garlic and fresh chilies.

Montreal steak seasoning, s&p, garlic-lemon-oil marinade.

A baste of sauted olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and rosemary....now that's Italian !

Worcestershire Sauce

Homemade barbecue sauce is my favorite because it is delicious!

I love me some "Bone Suckin' Sauce"! That's BBQ sauce from the south.

Anything with garlic.

My favorite condiment by far is..

wait for it..

BEER!

Seriously; it goes with everything, and in some cases can greatly enhance the flavor of what's being grilled (beer, chicken, steak in some cases). Mmm.. beer.

Olive oil, but not the "good" stuff. Something that comes in a gallon metal can at a middle-eastern store. All the flavor in the "good stuff" seems to burn off, and not in a good way. But the cheap stuff keeps veggies from sticking to the grill and gets a good grilled flavor, much better than with veggie oil. If anyone knows why, I'd love to find out.

a1 sauce! makes stuff taste great.

homemade bbq sauce for pork, just salt & freshly ground pepper for everything else!

I've grilled everything with Italian dressing on it,but is that a condiment? I guess it could be if ketchup and BBQ sauce are!

Garlic - a clove sliced in half and rubbed over anything before and after it hits the grill improves the flavor...unless maybe you're grilling ice cream or something equally exotic. ;)

Homemade mix of olive oil, catsup, mustard, soy sauce, brown sugar and soy sauce.

my homemade marinade with soy sauce, teriyaki, lemon juice, garlic

Oil, preferably EVO, everything needs a little help from the sticking seering heat of our grill and Oil fits the bill.

Hoisin sauce, if only because it isn't what my friends would consider common and then it just blows their minds.

Great, now I have to go buy some briquettes and fire up the Weber.

olive oil.the beginning of a great marinade

I make my own marinade from olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs and salt and pepper.

It depends on what you're grilling, but sea salt and cracked black pepper make everything taste better.

grill any thing is good.

I love to grill food and any sauce will do.

I tend to like my grilled things more au naturel, but at the very least you need some salt.

Kosher Salt, Cracked Black Pepper.

I love all things with a Hickory taste added to it.Including charcoal and sauce

Season with olive oil and kosher salt then baste with seasoned butter.

Chipotle smoked paprika BBQ sauce

Just salt, pepper, and worcestershire sauce--works like a charm!

Country Bob's all purpose sauce.

plain old hickory bbq sauce

fresh garlic

worcestershire sauce makes meats taste more savory.

my favorite grilling condiment is sunshine and barefeet. it makes everything taste better!


What could be better than grilled garlic........... MMMMMM

Barbeque sauce, of course! The taste brings alive summer memories, no matter what time of year you grill with it.

Olive oil, salt, and pepper - makes anything good!

jalapeno relish

Would have to be pepper .......LOTS of black pepper

Salt!!!!! *heart asplodes*

Homemade rub. Nothing better than steak or chicken grilled with a sweet, hickory rub

oil, lemon and chili - bright and zesty

salt & pepper, and barbeque sauce of course

salt pepper and olive oil

BBQ sauce, the spicy tang is what I like about it.

citrus-infused olive oil -- so great on fish, veggies and more!

Dry rubs for a great BBQ flavor!

mustard and honey

Korean BBQ sauce! FTW!

honey BBQ sauce

I'd have to say extra virgin olive oil and lemon because it goes well on everything. Thank you!

Hoison Sauce - can't beat it!

chipotle butter--adds spiciness and keeps the moisture in!

Garlic powder--makes steak taste great.

salt and pepper.

Sweet Baby Ray's barbeque sauce! Thank you for this giveaway!

BBQ sauce is always good!

Garlic. (My answer to many things!)

cookies bbq sauce

soy sauce + brown sugar!

I'll take nice, fresh lemon juice over bbq sauce any day of the week. Especially in summer and especially with rosemary.

Olive oil is great as a condiment all by itself, or it can be mixed with lemon, lime, or any citrus juice or any type of vinegar. This can be used as a marinade as well as a sauce for the grilled meat, poultry, vegis, or tofu.

bbq sauce

THANK YOU GOD BLESS

some honey bbq sauce

Just a bit of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

salt and pepper :)

Because it's simply delicious.

1. fresh chimichurri with herbs from the garden, for steak
2. home-made rub, for other meat & poultry
3. home-made spicy yoghurt sauce, mainly for shrimps
And why?
These are just the BEST! And fresh goes over anything that comes in a bottle or jar.

for steak- nithing but kosher salt- I like to taste the meat

for chicken and pork- sweet baby ray's bbq sauce.

also like mango salsa.

salt (and lots of it)

My favortie grilling condiment is coarse kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, I mix this with granulated garlic and keep it in a small jar next to my grill. As far as BBQ sauce is concerned, I order Montgomery Inn sauce from Cinci, unlike other sauces the first ingredient is tomatoes.

olive oil, chimichurri, lemon/lime

Mustard and black pepper.

Grapeseed oil and fennel pollen.

Dry Ranch Dressing Powder. Put that on yer steak and eat it! Mmmmmm!

BBQ sauces: Butch's Pyro sauce and Bandana's (Boone, NC) sauce

1. sea salt. telicherry pepper
2. siricha

Honey BBQ sauce and Montreal Steak Seasoning

I like to use "Mrs. Dash's" garlic seasoning all over the meat.

BBQ sauce because I love the taste.

Italian dressing - adds lots of flavor to everything!

Chimichurri is awesome! It enhances steak tremendously. Very addictive.

Lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper - because they make everything taste better.

My own marinades followed up with hot sauce.

My favorite condiment is olive oil because I start everything with it. I guess you could say it's my base ingredient!

My favorite condiment is chili powder to rub underneath sweet corn husks before I grill them.

Diet coke and Yoshidas makes everything tender.

EVOO of course!!

Everett & Jones BBQ sauce.

any kind of mustard

...fresh chive oil with an overwhelming amount of fresh chives

i've always done steak with lemon pepper like my mom does it...i think it has to do with my absolute love (or need) for acidity.

also, i'm perturbed that user johnhutch feels the need to put down other seriouseater's opinions because they spelled a difficult word incorrectly or because they chose a particular type of bbq sauce. there's no room in this community for snobbery and superiority complexes.

rubbed garlic, and crushed black pepper

salsa