Posts

Showing posts from July, 2021

The Benefits of Being an Early Bird

Image
Are you an early bird? If so, good for you! If you’re not, you might want to consider trying out a new schedule. There are a lot of advantages to being an early riser. Studies show that early birds are more productive and healthier. It’s a great way to live. All you have to do is get up a couple of hours earlier. The benefits are worth the momentary discomfort each morning. Still not convinced? Read on. See why the early bird really does get the worm: It’s healthier. It’s been found that the sleep patterns of those that get up early are healthier. You might live longer by being an early bird. Spending less money on medical care is another bonus. It’s more natural. Most animals are active during daylight hours and asleep while it’s dark. We don’t see well in the dark, so we’re clearly not designed to be active at night. You’ll be thinner. On average, early birds are leaner than night owls. Maybe it’s the late-night snacking that many night owls like to do. You’re more focused....

Cooking with Direct or Indirect Heat

Image
There are two different methods of cooking on the grill, they are with direct or indirect heat Direct heat cooking is straightforward. Learning the temperature of the coals is the only real skill. If you are using a gas grill, you just need to set the heat settings at the proper level. The coals are ready when 3/4 of them are gray and coated with ash. You can check the temperature of a charcoal grill by very carefully holding your hand just above the grilling surface and counting the number of seconds it takes before the heat becomes uncomfortable enough for you to pull your hand away.  5 seconds equals Low Heat  4 seconds equals Medium Heat  3 seconds equals Medium-High Heat  2 seconds equals High Heat  You can use the following descriptions to check the cooking temperature by observing the coals: When the ash coating thickens and a red glow is just visible this would equal a low heat. When the coals are covered with light gray ash this would equal a medium ...

The Secret To The Perfect Steak

Image
  First, let me say that searing is not just for steaks. The best way to grill a great prime rib is to start it out at a high temperature and sear the surface and then lower the temperature to finish cooking it. Other meats as well, such as chicken, pork chops and roast will benefit from searing.   The process of searing is essentially "browning" the meat, which gives it a delicious flavor and a little bit of a crusty surface. If your steak isn't browned it just isn't right. What you want when you sear is to add that flavor and still end up with a juicy piece of meat. How can you get your meat seared just right? The first thing to know about searing is not to be apprehensive. Just because the meat has started to turn brown doesn’t mean that it’s time to turn it . You want the meat to have a dark brown color before turning, not just a golden color. This browning is what gives the steak the flavor you are looking for. To get a good sear, there are steps that need to...

One Makes A Difference

A small boy was walking along a beach where thousands  of small sea creatures had been washed up. During the low  tide they all were stranded and doomed to perish.   A man watched as the boy picked up individual creatures  and took them back into the water.  "I can see you're being very kind," said the watching man,  "But there must be a million of them;  it can't possibly make any difference."  Returning from the water's edge, the boy said,  "It will for that one."
Image
    Tips For Cooking Food On A Grill   Whether you are using a charcoal grill or a gas grill, here are a few simple tips that can help with the food. Sure you probably already know some of these but sometimes it helps to be reminded. You know the saying, 'the old is new again' Adding a few wood chips and chunks to your coals can add awesome flavor to your food. But you should soak mesquite, alder, hickory and pecan chips for one hour before scattering over the hot coals. Soak wood skewers in water for an hour before use. They are best used for foods that can be cooked quickly, like vegetables and fruits. Use flat metal skewers when cooking meat kabobs. Round skewers will let the food turn and will not provide even cooking. You should follow the recipe's cooking times carefully, and make sure you cover the grill if the recipe calls for it. When using sauces containing sugar and fat, apply them only during the last 10 minutes of cooking, unless the recipe instructions are...

Before Firing Up The Grill

Image
  Here are a few tips on starting your charcoal grill, after all, building your charcoal fire is more than just tearing open the bag, dumping in the charcoal, pouring lighter fluid on it, and throwing on a match. Although that is how many people do it. Then after 15-20 minutes, they shake the grill to settle the coals and go to grilling. Do it this way and you will probably end up with burned burgers or raw chicken, but sometimes you might get lucky and your food will turn out okay. Wouldn't it be better to know that you will get good food every time? The key to good grilling is to have an even fire. The only time you should have any variation in heat is when you plan for it. If you just dump your coals in randomly you will have hot and cool spots. If you evenly distribute the coals you can minimize any variation and get good, even grilling. This is very important when you are cooking a large amount of food on the grill. The number of charcoal briquettes you use will depend o...

Eight Beginner Tips For Summer Grilling

Image
  Tip 1: Take time to clean the grill before you begin. It’s important to always begin with a clean grill. A clean grill will give you better tasting food and is less likely to cause your food to stick to the grate. Tip 2: Using the proper tools is important. A fork should never be used for grilling. A long set of tongs is the best for turning steaks, chicken and other cuts of meat. A long-handled spatula is best for burgers.   Tip 3: Applying cooking oil or spray to the grill before it is lit will keep low fat meats and other foods from sticking.   Tip 4: Allow for plenty of time. You don't want to rush your grilling or keep your family or guests waiting.   Tip 5: Don't leave your grilling unattended for any length of time.  A flare-up can occur at any time and leave you with burnt food if you are not there to attend to it.   Tip 6: Flare-ups are caused by grease and heat. Trimming excess fat from the meat and moving the meat to a different area of t...

Baseball Tickets

Here are a few pointers to finding the best baseball tickets online. First, go to your favorite baseball team's website. Confirm availability in the tickets section of the team's website. Find a team-sponsored online ticket box office. Some teams offer this service so their season ticket holders can sell tickets to games they cannot attend, which makes it the best place to find a choice seat at a reasonable price. You can also visit an independent online ticket broker like StubHub.com and browse through the wide range of tickets available for purchase. These sites offer tickets that are put up for sale by season ticket holders who cannot attend the game. For great deals and bargains, also visit ticket marketplaces like eBay.   Make sure though that you know in advance how and when you will get your tickets before sending your money to any of these sites. It is important, as in the case of any online transaction, to ensure the website where you buy tickets is secure and re...