We've already been invited to one cook-out in NYC in a lucky friend's uptown backyard amidst his emerging daffodils and tulips. So spring is officially here.
Amber, down in Virginia, sent us the above photos of her season opener: grilling. Seems the pink powder-puff cherry trees got her in the mood:
"Makes a girl almost wanna fall in love or something. Actually, what it made me want to do was to tell Jimmy to sear some animal flesh above hot coals."
Turns out, Amber and Jimmy eat together, but not the same dish: the "tasty steak" was his, and rosemary chipotle chicken, hers, plus a little macaroni and cheese for him and "a purty green salad" for her.
Send us your tales of outdoor cooking. And if you have a great recipe, share it.
Thanks, Amber!
We're planning to fire up the grill for the first time on Sunday - nothing fancy, just burgers and some savory chicken sausages and peppers. I'll cook up a batch of borrachos ("drunken beans") and make some guacamole to have with chips alongside. My husband is also talking about mixing up a fun spring-like cocktail for us to sip as we grill. I'm hoping some of our neighbors will be around to join us. :)
We got a couple of cool Weber outdoor lights as wedding gifts, so as long as the weather cooperates and it's not too chilly out, we can go as late as we like!
I adore grilling. Such a great way to entertain. I have two "standards" that I love to do; easy to prep in advance, throw it on the grill and actually get to sit w/ guests while eating.
The first is a rosemary flank steak. You can link to the recipe by clicking on my name.
The second is a pretty standard "asian" marinade that I like to use for sliced pork tenderloin but is also good for steaks (just marinade a bit longer for steaks).
Ginger-Soy Marinade
approx. measurements
1 1" dia. x 3" thumb fresh ginger, grated (with as fine a grater you have)
2 large cloves garlic, grated (using the same grater as above)
4 large green onions/scallions sliced fine (if all you can find are the skinny green onions, use more)
3/4 c. soy sauce
½ c. sugar
½ tbsp.sesame oil (preferable the darker toasted sesame oil)
½ c. vegetable oil (I usually use canola - something neutral)
1/4 c. rice wine vinegar (Ive used lemon as a substitute at times)
½ tsp. red chili flakes (amount adjustable to your liking for heat)
Mix the first five ingredients together allowing the sugar to dissolve. Add the remainder of the ingredients. Slice pork into approx. 3/4 in. pieces, add to marinade, turn to coat, and allow to marinade for 3 hrs. or more. Be careful not to marinade TOO far in advance as the soy sauce can make the pork overly salty. Ive marinaded up to 8 hrs. with success.
Both recipes are great because they don't require a 24 hr. marinade time.
Can't wait to fire up the grill!
does anyone have any hints for those of us that WANT to grill but have no outdoor space?
i had one glorious summer grilling on our roof, but then the landlord found the grill and tossed it into the vacant lot at the back of our building
i think he didn't approve
but, i have a grillin' itch that needs scratchin' and other than jumping into someone elses back yard and hijacking their hibachi, there's gotta be a better way....
any hints on what parks are grill friendly?
any good portable mini-grills out there worht buying??
all help as always, much appreciated!
Grilled Lemongrass Shrimp (tom nuong xa)
from
"Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table"
by Mai Pham
click my name for a link to the recipe
it goes really well with the ginger steamed fish
in the same book - nice to grill the fish and use the simple
soy/ginger/fish sauce/cilantro sauce
(everything in this book rocks)
Prospect Park has grilling areas with builtins
just down from the Picnic House around 3rd St/PPW entrance
ann
I don't suppose it's worth talking to your landlord...
maybe s/he thought it was a random fire hazard?
i wish... he has also made everyone in the building sign statements that we won't go onto the roof anymore too
sigh
are there laws about grilling in public parks in nyc? like, over at the east river park they have public grills, but i'm kind of skeeved out by those
is it legal to use a small portable, personal grill in these same areas?
i'm such a goody-two-shoes, i just HATE breaking the law!
I'm pretty sure it is legal to bring your own
in the areas where grilling is allowed
the last party I went to at the east river park
my friend brought a metal grill top
that lays on top of the permanent grates
but it *is* cleaned off with fire,
so I don't think there's an actual health risk
I'd bring a table cloth tho
does anyone know where I can buy a charcoal grill in the city? I have already checked the Home Depot on 3rd and 59th, Bed Bath & Beyond on 1st Ave, and even the Kmart at Penn Station but it only has really cheapo ones. I just want a nice normal weber charcoal grill. anyone have ideas?
thanks!
maybe you checked too early?
the Webers should be around soon . . .
where you looked, and at hardware stores
I was in HD on 23rd st yesterday evening looking for a grill to buy and they had the charcoal webers in stock.