Summer Grilling

We all love grilling, especially in the summertime. It’s a smart way to prepare food since the preparation can be low fat and the kitchen stays cool. However, there are a few things to remember about cooking on the grill.

Be carful when cleaning the grill. The wire bristles from the grill brush can become loose and end up in the food. If swallowed, the bristle can cause serious health problems. Scraping with a spatula is safer.

The most basic: stay safe! The grill is hot, hot, hot and will stay hot for a long time. Have an exclusion zone around the grill so no one will accidently back into it. Of course, children should keep their distance.

Before you grill, the food should be kept cold to minimize the risk of food poisoning. Get is hot quickly, then either keep the food hot or get it cold again. Discard marinades after use.

When muscle meat, including beef, pork, fish or poultry is cooked over high heat certain chemicals are form that in the lab have been shown to cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer. Try to avoid charring meat – turning meat often is helpful. Trim excess fat from foods to avoid flare-ups.

Alcohol and the grill are a bad combination. The grill master can enjoy a drink when someone else does the dishes.