Thursday, June 23, 2016

Breaking in Our Grill

Last Saturday, we had a "date night in" and broke in our new grill! We debated what we should make for our first meal on the grill and decided to go with chicken as I needed a protein for my lunch salads.

I often think that grilled chicken can be a bit dry, so I did some research and discovered that the trick to perfectly grilled chicken is to pound it to an even thickness beforehand so it will cook evenly. I think that made a huge difference! I had some fresh oregano that I wanted to use up, so I looked around for a Greek marinade and found this one. It was so good!

Besides the chicken, we also grilled some potatoes and asparagus (not pictured below). We usually grill potatoes in a foil packet but tried a different technique which worked pretty well. I don't think they are necessarily better than foil packet potatoes, but they cook much quicker!


The grill master

Grilled goodness!
It was a beautiful evening so we ate our meal outdoors. Phil had a beer with his dinner, and I had my new favorite mocktail, made with this concentrate that I picked up at the farmer's market:

I love that the brand is "Phil the Shrubber."
I mixed it with 8 ounces of tonic water. You obviously have to like beets to enjoy this drink, but as a beet lover, a drink like this is right up my alley. It was nice to have a fun drink to enjoy so I didn't feel like I was missing out when Phil was having a beer. For any local readers, they have a couple other flavors besides this one. It's made locally (less than a mile from our house!). I purchased it at the Kingfield Farmer's Market.

I'm looking forward to lots of grilled meals this summer and fall! Next up, we'll be grilling brats when my nephew comes to stay with us on Saturday night!

What is your favorite food to grill? I pretty much love all food from the grill, but my favorite thing is probably brats! I also love grilled veggies. I'd like to experiment with grilling an entire chicken this summer. Phil and I are total novices when it comes to grilling but it will be fun to try some new things this summer.

16 comments:

Gracie said...

On my to-do list: buy a grill - even a tiny charcoal grill!

Charbelle said...

grilled food is my absolute favorite!!! My favorite is probably steak kabobs! It's a skill to be able to cook on a grill! I'm so glad you've found a tasty mocktail!

Nora said...

We grill chicken often and it's one of my favorites; good to know about the even thickness. I'll have to try that next time before I marinade it. Apart from that, D loves to smoke meat. My favorite and least healthy one is pulled pork, but he makes an amazing rib and a delicious smoked chicken, too! We try to grill at least 1-2 times a week in the spring/summer/fall.

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

We love grilling brats! There is the farm in northern Iowa that sells the BEST brats that are all beef and do not have that weird casing. They are pricey, but they are so good. When you and Phil come to visit we will have to get some for you to try. :)

Marlys said...

We love to grill and try to do it at least 4 times a week. I love foil packets and have seen so many interesting ones lately that I would like to try! They include ones with chicken breasts, sausage & potatoes, and other hamburger ideas.
I, too, love grilled veggies, and especially romaine lettuce rubbed with olive oil & balsamic vinegar.
It looks like your first meal was a winner! I have never tried grilling potatoes that way? Did you coat them with anything before grilling? How thick did you cut them?
That drink you had looks interesting! I would love to try it!

Unknown said...

This sounds like the perfect summer night!!
We need a grill... which one did you get?

You should try "Nürnberger"sausages from Trader Joe's. They're in the meat-section and they're a staple in German BBQs.

Leigh said...

We just got a new BBQ (or grill to you) and Brian is in heaven. I never use it though as I suck at BBQ'ing. I really should learn how!

Abby said...

Yum!!!! I have to try that drink!! That sounds delicious!!!

Another thing we found that makes chicken super moist without having to pound it is cook it slow on the grill. It can take 45 minutes - but it's worth it!!

That's a cool way to try potatoes! Ah I miss the grill. We have a grill at our apartment but you have to fight over it. And walk 3 flights of stairs to get to it. And when it's this hot outside = not worth it lol!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

I love cheeseburgers and brats on the grill!

Carolina John said...

Yep, phil looks right at home behind the grill. Very cool.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Fun!! My favourite things to grill are ribs, fish, beer (or soda) butt chicken, portobello mushrooms and corn on the cob. I also really like haloumi cheese on the grill, and it pairs really well with the mushrooms.

I too LOVE beets!

katielookingforward said...

I'll be tracking down that beverage ASAP!!! I grilled chicken for my mom whenever my dad is out of town (he'll eat it, but its not his favorite) I love a good steak, but if I have it more than a couple times a year I get sick of it.

Amber said...

So awesome! I love BBQ'ed meals as well -- and that is a good tip about the chicken as I find the exact same thing about bbqing it. So dry! I will try that next time. My favourite BBQ thing is definitely good old fashioned hamburgers or hot dogs / smokies. I am going to bbq my Whole 30 compliant pork sausages and eat them with sauerkraut and mustard tonight :)

Jeanie said...

Lisa, this is terrific. I love grilling out, too -- though not so good on the grill myself. And like you, I love Brats! Phil looks like he was born to stand beside the grill! I like my brats and dogs very well done -- not quite burned but blistery! Rick's the chicken guy and it's never dry but I don't know how he does it!

Elizabeth said...

Ohmygoodness, I just had my first shrub a few months ago--so different! So glad that you guys were able to use the grill and the chicken looks great. Wish you lived closer so I could share some of my Greek oregano plant--it's growing crazy in the entryway. Now that you're getting into gardening, have you thought of patio herbs? :)

Unknown said...

All that food looked so good! And the drink mix sounds interesting to say the least. I loved to make just plain steaks, or kebabs on the grill. Grilling an entire chicken sounds like it's going to be a challenge, but I'd love to see how it turns out. Good luck with that, and post some pictures!

Lindsey Mckenzie @ Buchanan Fire And Outdoor