Father's Day Five - Part 2 The Grill
Father’s Day, what a great day to get out and grill.
Here are some of my picks for great Father’s Day gifts, for your ‘Grill Master’.
German Grill
So some time in the early ‘70’s my dad bought a gas grill; it was an ARKLA and it’s arrival sounded the death knell of charcoal around our house. When I moved out on my own I bought a gas grill as well, and since then several more as they wear out - fall apart. (The ARKLA is still going strong some 30+ years later)
Then a year ago the German Grill showed up, and I will never gas grill again. I can’t believe that I bought into the negative hype around charcoal! This grill is a dream to light, because it has an integrated ‘chimney’ and can be ready to cook in about the same time as it’s gas cousin.
It’s also the most solid grill I’ve ever used, this will be the last grill I ever have on my deck. Period.
So get in touch with Pat and Ron at German Grill, and get your father the Rolls Royce of Grills.
Some recipes we’ve cooked on the German Grill:
Cooking Yakitori
Mint Leg of Lamb
Bacon Explosion
Every grill master no matter how skilled, will need some inspiration from time to time... Grill Guru Ted Reader has more than enough inspiration to go around.
Ted’s been grillin’ food and writing cookbooks that will blow away even the most savvy backyard pro. Nothing is off limits when it comes to what can be kissed by the flames of your grill, and this experimentation to push the boundaries will make you a better cook.
The photography alone makes you want to eat the books.
Watch Ted cook up some great recipes:
Intro to Ted Reader
Cedar Planked Salmon
La Strip Steak
Bradley Smoker
There’s grilling, and then there’s smoking! Cooking low and slow for hours, imparting subtle and sometimes not so subtle smoke flavour to meat and fish.
What’s that? You say “Dad won’t want to stand around all day watching the fire, adjusting the temp, and making sure that the smoke is just right.”.
Well with the Bradley, all of that is automated. Temperature, and smoke level can be set with a timer; leaving you to enjoy your day secure with the knowledge that whatever you are cooking will turn out right - every time.
Sausage Grinder
What’s a great grill day without some sausage? So why are you still buying sausage in the Styrofoam tray, when Dad could be making the best sausage right at home?
Once you start making sausage with the Chef’s Choice there is no going back! You can now be in control of ingredients and flavour.
It’s really easy, just watch us making some sausage here in the Le Gourmet TV Kitchen:
Hot Italian Sausage Recipe
Breakfast Sausage Recipe
Beef and Mustard Sausage Recipe
Grilling Planks
You can cook anything on a grilling plank, anything and everything.
Salmon? - Goes without saying.
Burgers? - Why yes of course.
Cheese cooked on a cedar plank on the BBQ? - You haven’t lived.
They are available in a variety of different woods, each type adding its own flavour to the party.
Check out some of these recipes where we grill with planks.
Cedar Planked Brie Cheese
Kama Sutra Saki Teriyaki Salmon
Planked Beerlicious Baseball Burgers
Choosing Knives
We are sent a lot of kitchen gear here to try out, and one of my favourite things to receive is knives. One of the latest is this Ergo Chef 7” Santoku ($79.00).
When I first picked it up I had to get over how light it seemed for this size of knife... and how nice the ergonomic handle felt in my hand. Yes the handle looks a little wonky on that angle, but it really does seem to help out with wrist strain. Over-all a solid mid-priced, mid-range knife, that would do great duty in any kitchen.
Does it beat out my favourite knife? Nope. You might think that with our pick of the litter, I might enjoy cutting with the more expensive knives on the market... but you would be wrong.
Yes, that’s right - my favourite knife is decidedly downmarket. I’ve had it now over 25 years, and it just feels right in my hand. Sure it takes way too much to maintain the edge, I’m constantly out in the shop with a waterstone keeping it true. I have strayed a few times over the years to other knives, but I keep coming back because it’s comfortable to use and I feel confident using it.
In our video on choosing knives, we learn that there are so many choices it can be really confusing. But one thing that the expert kept coming back to: the knife needs to feel comfortable in your hand!
Other Tips:
-Bring in some fruit and veg to try out cutting. If the retailer doesn’t allow this? Go elsewhere.
-You don’t need to buy a matching set, each manufacturer will have strengths in different categories.
Happy Cutting!