Has your BBQ Season already started? With the great American Holiday coming up, even “holdouts” will be firing up the Grill for the 4th of July. If you want to step up your food this year, consider converting your Grill into a Smoker. It is much easier than you’d think, and smoky natural wood flavor will add an all-new dimension to everything you cook. —TasteeBQ

Our superhero, TasteeBQ was recently summoned to a beautiful home in the Hills above a popular California Beach for a special Father’s Day grilling lesson. A really nice family needed rescue help for their Grill- which came with a French sounding name and lots of Infrared attitude. TasteeBQ offered the following Tips:

2. SMOKED HOT DOGS
Yeah, most of the packages say the wieners are “Smoked”, but you probably haven’t tasted a truly Smoked Hotdog until you try this. Cook Hotdogs on the slow, cooler end of Grill and let them warm up for about 12-15 minutes. Flip in middle of cooking once they start to plump up and take on color. When they start to blister or separate, it is their way of announcing “Done!”.

3. SAVORY BBQ BURGERS
Use this recipe for 1/2lb. Big Boys, to 1/4 Pounders or 3oz. Sliders (can cut hotdog buns into 2-3 sections to save on overpriced store “Mini Buns”).

For each 1lb of Ground Beef or Turkey mix in:
2 Tbl. Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbl. BBQ Sauce
1 Tbl. Paprika
1 Tbl. Ground Turmeric (may substitute Mustard Seed)
2 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
[Optional- Add 1-2 Tbl. of your favorite Grill Seasoning or a Delicious BBQ Rub (like HEROIC!), which can also be used to make Gluten Free BBQ Sauce]

Mix well and return Meat to Refrigerator until ready to cook. Separate Meat into desired size Patties. Sear on both sides using Hotter part of Grill. When they are just under desired doneness, move Burgers to cooler side and let smoker finish cooking (this is also good time to add slice of cheese). Serve with BBQ Sauce and/or Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup. [Cheese, Tomato and Lettuce Optional]

Bonus Tip-

Strike While the Fire is Hot. You can also use Grill to kick-up your Condiment Bar for Burgers and Hotdogs. Key is to prepare Veggies in large portion, then cut to size after Grilling. Coat with oil and herbs or use a really Delicious BBQ Rub (like HEROIC!). Try this with Onions (slice thick, then separate or chop), Bell Peppers, Pickle Spears. Tomatoes, Lettuce, Fresh Chilies or Jalapenos, etc…

4. SMOKED CORN
Prepare Fresh Corn- Remove hard outer husks from each ear of Corn. Trim stem to 1 inch. Leave a small layer of tender husk attached. Pull husks back and remove as much silk as possible (Run under sink?). Then replace husk back around Corn.

Soak Corn- Immerse Corn cobs in water for minimum 1/2 Hour to Overnight. This will tenderize Corn and moisten husk so it doesn’t burn (and protects Corn on grill). Also adds more corny good flavor.

Cook- In Smoker or Grill for 15-20 minutes on moderate heat, rotating to get some color on all sides. You can tell it is done when kernels feel tender. [No Grill?- Place Corn in microwavable dish, in shallow water for steaming. Cover with plastic wrap or glass lid. Cook on High for 6-8 minutes, rotating midway through, until tender]. When cool enough to handle warm Corn, pull back husk (and snip)

Seasoning Bar- Should include basic Butter, Salt and Pepper. For more variety, have available Mayonnaise, Hot Sauce, Garlic Salt, Italian Seasoning and/or a really Delicious BBQ Rub.

TasteeBQ wishes all of you a Happy Independence Day. Hope these Recipes help bring you independence from BorenG’Food, all the year round.

BBQ Chicken and Ribs Recipes

For those who gotta have Chicken and/or Ribs for the Holiday: The only “Easy Recipe” is to buy them pre-cooked and heat them up in the Smoker before adding BBQ Sauce or a Delicious BBQ Rub. To make them fresh, here are some links that may help with Baking and Grilling techniques. Feel free to substitute a Delicious BBQ Rub (like HEROIC!)  if a Recipe calls for a ton of different spices.