Category Archives: Grilling
Summer Grilling: Curried Turkey Burgers
I haven’t posted a lot of grilling recipes this summer because, well, let’s face it, I haven’t posted a lot of recipes! But this week I’ll post a few favorites. I’m still not doing much grilling because I’m saving up for a Traeger grill. Friends have one and I can’t imagine grilling or smokin’ on anything else since I’ve used it.
Until then, I’ll fry these up in my cast iron skillet. Great on the grill or in the skillet. And now that I’ve finally found a good source for tasty pita bread, a dinner favorite.
Serve with fresh corn on the cob and grilled eggplant (I have three Japanese eggplant almost ready to pick).
Curried Turkey Burgers
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 tsp ground curry
- 1/8 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 4 pita breads
bowl
In bowl combine all ingredients except bread and mix well. Form 4 patties and grill, broil or fry to desired doneness. Serve in pita bread. Ground mustard and mayonnaise make good toppings or a little Greek salad dressing, along with lettuce & tomatoes.
Grillin’ ‘n Chillin’
It’s still raining here so we can extend our guilt free stay-at-homing for another day. I bet the grass will really pop when the sun comes back out.
The hummer battalion is not quite at full strength but they do hit the feeders hard on these rainy days. I suppose they need more fuel when it’s cooler out.
Here’s another kitteh!
They’re calling him Mr Wiggles. He’s 6-8 weeks old and is ready for adoption. He looks a little nervous but now that he has joined the rest of the kittens in the kitteh room he will settle down. He’s just coming off of a week in an isolation room prior to neutering. [edit: Mrs J tells me it’s Ms Wiggles:)]
Friday Recipe Exchange: Grilling Up a Storm
Bixby turned two on Thursday and I felt that justified a Bixby Diaries post. So for the pet lovers, you’ll find lots of new and old photos, plus video of the Beast here. For the rest of you, it’s a grilling themed recipe exchange.
First up, Grilled Chicken and Papaya, recipe here. I noticed in the stores that mangoes were plentiful, and I can’t imagine why you couldn’t substitute – I would add a dash of lime to it all with mangoes.
Speaking of mangoes and papayas, how about Grilled Fish with Mango and Papaya Salsa, recipe here.
A couple of nice sides to round things out. But don’t think you need a recipe, fresh veggies from the garden, tossed in olive oil and grilled in a grilling basket can’t be beat.
Grilled Vegetable Salad, click here, can be a meal in itself or a hearty side.
Greek Grilled Potatoes, recipe here, are a nice, tangy change from regular potato packets.
What’s on the menu this weekend? Anything special planned for Father’s Day? What’s your favorite food to take out of the kitchen and make on the grill?
Tonight, I combined two favorite recipes. I love the pinwheels because they are so showy (and tasty). I thought it would be a great recipe for Father’s Day weekend. Then I ran across my spicy sauce and thought, yum, that would work. If you don’t want spicy, here is the original Pinwheel Recipe. And if you don’t want pinwheels, here is the original Spicy Grilled Flank Steak recipe. I got you covered.
Grilled Spicy Flank Steak Pinwheels
Sauce:
- 1 tbsp chili garlic paste
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp crushed garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
Pinwheels:
- 1 lb flank steak
- 8 oz sliced provolone cheese
- 1 bunch washed and dried spinach leaves
- 8 wooden skewers
- olive oil
ziplock bag,
You can ask the butcher to butterfly your flank steak, which is what I did. But it’s fairly easy to butterfly. You want the grain running up and down in front of you and then you’ll slice it in half, NOT slicing all the way through. When you’re done you’ll lay it open, flat, basically making a larger, thinner steak.
Image from Serious Eats
Once you have it laid out flat in front of you with the grain running left to right, you’ll want to tenderize it, pounding it thin.
Keeping it flat, place into a ziplock bag, add marinade and coat completely on both sides. Marinate flat in refrigerator 1 hour. Remove from marinade and assemble.
Layer the spinach over the meat. You want it to be several leaves thick, because it will reduce as it cooks.
Next layer the provolone cheese slices, two to three slices thick, over the meat.
Now it’s time to roll. Roll tightly in the direction of the grain. Add a skewer every 2 inches and then slice between the skewers, so you have 2-inch thick pinwheels.
Heat grill and oil grates well – alternately you can cook in a cast iron skillet (heat 1/2 to 1 tbsp of oil in it) on the grill. If using a gas grill – heat one side to high for searing, turn the other side to about medium to finish cooking. For coals – place coals toward center of the grill, leaving the edges cool for finishing cooking.
Add pinwheels to the grill, flat side down. After a minute, using the skewer (you may also need a metal spatula to get all the cheesy goodness) flip over, sear additional minute. The usual method of waiting until the meat moves easily to flip will not work with this because the cheese is sticky. So just do one minute each side, it will be fine.
After the second side is done, move steaks off of high heat to the cooler grates and let the steak finish for about 10 to 15 minutes for medium rare. These are thin and don’t need a lot of cooking time and you don’t want the cheese to burn.
Remove to a plate, cover with foil and let rest 10 minutes, so the cheese isn’t molten lava.
My steak made 4 large pinwheels.
That’s it for this week. I don’t know how many recipe exchanges I’ll have in me while I’m packing, but stay tuned. Have a great weekend! – TaMara
Grilled Vegetable Salad
This works well as a side or a nice, fresh main course.
Grilled Vegetable Salad
- 1 large red onion, quartered
- 4 red potatoes, quartered
- 8 oz baby carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp rosemary, crushed
- 1 tsp sage, crushed
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 8 oz bag spinach leaves or spring greens
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp melted butter
serving bowl, large bowl, grilling basket or foil
Mix oil and spices, toss with onion, potatoes and carrots in a large bowl, until well coated. Place in a grilling basket or wrap in foil and grill for 20 minutes, stirring or turning frequently. Mix together lemon & butter. In serving bowl, add greens, grilled vegetables and toss with lemon butter
Grilled Chicken and Papaya
I’m thinking I’ll focus on grilling recipes this week. Start with something a bit different with some exotic flavors. Serve over rice or couscous and add some grilled vegetables for a quick and easy dinner.
Grilled Chicken & Papaya
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 8 button mushrooms, washed
- 1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 1 green pepper, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 papaya, peeled, seeded & cut into 8 chunks
- 4 large metal skewers (if you use wooden, remember to soak them first)
skillet
Heat oil in skillet, add curry powder and stir for 30 seconds, remove from heat & add lemon juice, water, salt & pepper. Cut each breast into 4 to 6 cubes. Thread on skewers: (suggested) mushroom, chicken, onion, pepper, chicken, papaya, chicken, pepper, onion, chicken, papaya, mushroom. Brush curry mixture on all sides of the kabobs. Grill for 10-15 minutes, turning frequently and basting with curry mixture.
Memorial Weekend Recipes: Baby Back Ribs with Citrus Glaze
![DSC_2163 [1024X768]](https://whats4dinnersolutions.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dsc_2163-1024x768.jpg)
I didn’t have any photos of my ribs, but JeffreyW never fails to bring the yummy.
Baby Back Ribs with Citrus Glaze
- 4 to 6 slabs baby back ribs, about 10 – 12 ribs per slab
- Chinese five spice powder
- salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- Foil
Season the ribs liberally on both sides with spices. Place the ribs on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side. Remove the ribs from the grill and allow to cool (or if you prefer, you can broil them, 5 minutes per side).
Preheat the oven (or grill) to 325 degrees. Wrap the ribs in foil, tightly, and then wrap in another layer of foil, place on a baking sheet or directly on grill, and bake for 2 hours. Remove the ribs from the oven and allow to cool while still wrapped.
Prior to serving, spoon the Citrus Glaze (see recipe below) over the ribs, liberally coating both sides. Serve with remaining glaze.
4 – 6 servings
Citrus Glaze
- 12 oz orange juice concentrate, not diluted
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 of a 7-ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, pureed in the blender or finely chopped (more or less depending on the heat you desire)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup sugar
In saucepan combine ingredients and cook over medium-high heat until the sugar has melted and the sauce has reduced to half and coats the back of a spoon, about 20 minutes. Careful, you’ll have to stir frequently and watch to make sure it does not boil over or burn.
Memorial Weekend Recipes: Grilled Potato Packets
Grilled potatoes and peppers above can be found here
These are so easy to make, one of my most requested and clean up is a breeze:
Grilled Potatoes
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- 1 to 2 tbsp butter
- parsley or chives
- salt & pepper
foil
Thinly slice each potato, layer one on each piece of foil, then layer sliced onion and parsley or chives. Melt butter and add garlic, drizzle equally over each potato. Wrap and seal foil. Grill, turning halfway through (about 15 minutes each side). Cook until potatoes are tender and onions crispy.
Tangy Yogurt Chicken Marinade
This is a great recipe to grill (or bake) – the tangy yogurt marinade keeps chicken moist and creates a flavorful outer coating that zings. Serve with couscous and citrus chunks for a winter break.
Yogurt Dill Chicken:
-
2 cups plain yogurt
-
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
-
2 tsp dry dill, crushed
-
½ tsp thyme
-
4 boneless chicken breasts, pounded*
large shallow covered dish, broiler or grill
Mix together yogurt, mustard, dill, thyme. Place pounded chicken in dish, spoon yogurt mixture over, cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Grill or broil for 10-15 minutes each side, until fully cooked at center. If you’re broiling, place rack one level from the top most setting.
*The easiest way to pound chicken is to wrap in plastic wrap and pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet. Keeps meat from splattering.
Chipotle Orange Glaze for Grilling
I’m travelling this week and I anticipate some great garden fresh food. Mmm, corn, tomatoes and green peppers. I’m transporting one of Colorado’s favorite farm items across state lines (no, not that!), Palisade peaches. I should be very popular.
I thought I’d do something fun for a get-together this weekend, grilling with this sweet and spicy glaze. It can be used on chicken or pork.
Chipotle Orange Glaze
- Juice from two oranges
- zest from two oranges
- 6 green onions, chopped (including greens)
- 1 to 2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, minced (about 1 tbsp)
- 1 tsp dried thyme, crushed
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3/4 tsp cornstarch
- pinch of salt
saucepan
Whisk together honey and cornstarch, set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and add to saucepan. Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly. Whisk in honey mixture, reduce heat and allow to simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Divide glaze in half, save half for serving.
For Grilled Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin on chicken breasts (can substitute 2 bone-in, skin on thighs for each breast if desired)
- salt and pepper
- oil
Heat grill. Using a paper towel, oil grates and place over hot coals. Salt and pepper both sides of chicken. Place chicken on grill and grill over high heat for about 6 minutes each side. Move off of direct heat and allow to cook for additional 15 to 20 minutes (until approx 150 degrees). Brush bone side of chicken with glaze and move over hot coals, bone side down. Brush glaze over skin side. Cook for another 10-15 minutes, turning and brushing with glaze on all sides until the chicken is 160 degrees. Remove to platter, tent with foil and let rest for five minutes. Serve with reserved glaze.
NOTE: Remaining chilies can be frozen in ice cube trays (one chili and sauce per cube), remove and add to a zip lock bag to be used later. Search Chipotle in the search box below and you’ll find several recipes using them.
Friday Recipe Exchange: Grilled Herb Steak Tacos
![DSC_6746 [1600x1060]](https://whats4dinnersolutions.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/dsc_6746-1600x1060.jpg)
I was planning to put together a salad for dinner on Wednesday after a long day, but when I looked around I had all the ingredients for tacos and that inspired both dinner that night and tonight’s recipe exchange.
For my tacos that night, I used homemade fajita seasoning (recipe for seasoning and fajitas here) instead of packaged taco seasoning. The recipe makes a lot, so I always have some on hand.
On the taco front, not to be missed are JeffreyW’s awesome Fish Tacos (pictured above, recipe and photo directions here).
Earlier in the week, an excellent and creamy, sharp goat cheese was the center piece of my Stuffed Burgers (recipe here) for dinner. So easy to make and full of juicy flavor.
The Dinner Menu was a given, since Olathe Sweet Corn finally arrived in stores. This menu was also the first one I put together many years ago, because it was and still is, a summer staple. Menu, recipes and shopping lists here.
For the pet lovers, here’s Bixby awaiting our lunch guests and a bonus Greek Pasta Recipe.
With that I leave you to the comments. Tacos, burritos or fajitas, what’s your favorite? And what’s on your weekend menu as we move into the last month of summer?
Now for the featured recipe:
Grilled Herbed Steak for Tacos or Burritos
Notes: Serve with either corn or flour tortillas and stuff with fresh garden items, such as tomatoes, lettuce, diced zucchini, grilled corn, and top with Fresh Garden Salsa (recipe here). And if you don’t like cilantro, there are alternatives offered at the bottom of the recipe.
Herb Paste
- 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves*
- 3 tsp crushed garlic
- 3 green onions
- 1 medium jalapeno, quartered – remove veins and seeds for milder, otherwise, use it all
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp fresh limejuice
Pulse in a food processor or blender, cilantro, garlic, scallions, jalapeño, and cumin until finely chopped. Add oil and process until mixture is smooth and resembles pesto. Transfer 2 tbsps of the herb paste to medium bowl; whisk in lime juice and set aside.
Steak
- 2 lbs flank steak – cut lengthwise (with grain) into 4 equal pieces (cooks quicker this way)
- 1-1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Using dinner fork or tenderizer, poke each piece of steak 10 to 12 times on each side. Place in large baking dish; rub all sides of steak pieces with salt and then coat with remaining herb paste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator 5-10 minutes before cooking.
To cook: Scrape excess herb paste off steak and sprinkle all sides of pieces evenly with sugar and pepper. Sear steak pieces on the grill for 3 minutes, then turn and grill the other side for 3 minutes. Continue to cook (don’t turn more than one more time) until internal temperature registers 125 to 130 degrees, usually an additional 2 to 7 minutes. Transfer steak to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
To Serve: Using a carving knife, slice steak pieces across grain into 1/8-inch-thick pieces. Transfer sliced steak to bowl with herb paste-limejuice mixture and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve with tortillas and choice of vegetables, shredded cheese and salsa, etc. Garnish with additional limejuice if desired.
*If you don’t like cilantro, you can substitute celery leaves or fresh basil, or try a mixture of both.
That’s if for this week, have a terrific weekend – TaMara
=========================================
