The Barbecue Season

Summer time can be a tough time to watch what we're eating. With all the bbq's, deliciouscocktails, parties, you name it, it's hard to watch what you're eating. Especially when you're a guest at someone else's house. Here's a few tips to take into consideration.

1. Ask your host/hostess what they are serving and how you can help, or what you can bring. They may tell you they are all set and you don't need to bring anything. Next, they rattle off the typical bbq list of hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, macaroni salad potato salad, etc. Even if they tell you that you don't need to bring anything, at least bring a nice big, healthy salad mixed with lots of different veggies so get always prepare your saladrecipes. And even bring some turkey burgers. If they ask, politely say you appreciate the invitation and are looking forward to the fun day, but you're watching your health.

2. Instead of hamburgers, try making turkey burgers. But watch the label. Some ground turkey has more fat than hamburger.

3. Stick to boneless, skinless breasts of chicken. I love grilling it and then putting it on a nice, big salad. Keep food light, you don't want to be full and uncomfortable.

4. Skip the mayonnaise laden salads. Try expanding your menu and instead, include whole grains in your diet. I love making quinoa salad, or brown rice salad. Plus, think about how much everyone will enjoy the variety. We all know most bbqs offer the same fare, so mix it up.

5. Veggies, veggies, veggies. This time of year, they are abundant. Take advantage while you can. Instead of the heavy potato and pasta salads, why not make some grilled veggies? Or a nice cucumber salad. There's always the delicious tomato salad with fresh mozzarella, sliced red onions garlic, fresh basil with a little balsamic vinegar and a good olive oil. Keep it light.

6. As far as drinks? That can really kill the waist line. Here's a tip. Freeze some fresh fruit then put it in a blender, add a touch of Stevia or Xyletol and some water to get it the consistency you like. If you want to add alcohol, stick with the clears. And alternate one with alcohol, one without. Remember, it's very easy to get carried away in the sun and pool and you can easily become dehydrated. Always drink responsibly and never drink and drive.

7. Stay hydrated! If you're not much of a water drinker, try adding sliced fruit; lemons, limes, oranges. You can even freeze some fruit in ice cubes so it will flavor your water. I've never tried it but I know some of my friends like sliced cucumber or basil or mint in their water. Mix it up. If that gets boring, try making some sun tea. I love making the green tea and I add slices of lemons. Be daring, try one new thing every day. You'll never know what you like. Our taste buds change all the time. Live life.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy life. Let me know if you try any of my tips. And I'd love to hear some of your tips. Post them below. Thanks and have a great one.

P.S. A friend of mine made this and I just had to have the recipe. It's one of my favorites and it's definitely always a hit! Enjoy and let me know if you try it.

Brown Rice Salad

2 cups water 

1 cup brown rice 

1/4 cup diced red onion 

1/2 cup diced celery 

diced peppers... I use red, green and yellow, but up to you what color and how much (peppers were not actually in original recipe but I like them) 

1 cup dried cranberries 

1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing 

1 TBSP. sugar

In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in rice, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45-60 min. or until done. Transfer rice to serving bowl and stir in all ingredients. Refrigerate and serve cold.

The True Barbecue

Barbecue is an interesting term in the world today. Barbecue is mentioned in conversations whether they are grilling or doing what is considered true barbecue food recipes. The similarities are pretty simple, usually accomplished in the backyard and among friends and family. So what are the differences?

Barbecue Grilling

Barbecue grilling is what most people do on the weekends during spring, summer and fall. Grilling is merely cooking meat and vegetables on a grill that is fuel by charcoal, gas or electric. The food is usually placed directly over the flame but sometimes away from the heat. The key here is really the temperature and the amount of time it takes to cook the meat. At 300 to 400 degrees F of temperature the meat will be done quickly.

Mainly people cook steak and chicken breasts and pork chops on the grill. Sometimes vegetables are also cooked on the grill. Naturally the vegetables take less time to cook so are placed later in the cooking process so the meat and vegetable are finished at the same time. If you are using charcoal you will impart some flavor to the food, using gas or electric will not.

True Barbecue

True barbecue has been around since caveman days. Meat slowly cooked at low temperature for several hours rendering out the fat and leaving wonderful meat full of flavor. This has been handed down over hundreds of generations and refined in certain areas around the world.

Here in the United States true barbecue is really becoming a popular way of cooking in the backyard. Many people are either purchasing a smoker in addition to their grill or they are converting their grill into a smoker when needed.

Cooking Temperature

This method of cooking requires low temperature of 180 to 250 degrees F. The other requirement is it must have wood to create smoke that flavors the meat. The cool part of the smoker is that you can use many different types of wood and even combine them to achieve a unique flavor profile.

Flavoring the Meat

The meat itself requires a rub to impart flavor before being placed in the smoker. A rub consists of spices and herbs that add flavor to the meat. Some of the basics are salt, sugar, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder. The rub is far more than just what was mentioned because numerous spices are used to shape the flavor of the meat based on your preferences. This means everyone makes a unique tasting meat customized to their taste.

When it comes to pork butt which is really part of a pork shoulder some pit masters inject a solution of apple juice and apple cider vinegar to impart both flavor and moistness to the meat.

Sauce is used at the very end of the process when it comes to pork ribs as earlier it will burn the bark which is a precious taste that all pit masters strive for. As for a pork butt or shoulder that has sauce added after you have torn the meat apart or reserved for dipping.

Type of Meats Usually Smoked

The meat usually pork in the form of either ribs or pork butts. When it comes to beef, brisket is the most popular. Among pit masters a brisket is considered the most challenging of all meat. This not to say other types of meat are not cooked on smokers, it means that the meat mentioned above is the most popular.

Summing Up

All in all cooking meat in the backyard can be quick and fun or a lot of work and fun, the choice is yours. In this authors opinion there is nothing better than meat that has been cooked using smoking as the method. The meat is juicy, tender and without doubt full of flavor.