Jan 04 2008
Outdoor Cooking Equipment
There’s nothing quite like spending time in the outdoors with family and friends when the weather gets nice. From picnics and camping to ballgames and back yard barbeque’s, whenever the sun shines, people want to be outside. One thing you can count on when enjoying these activities is that eventually, everyone is going to get hungry. When they do, it’s time to do some outdoor cooking. Unlike cooking indoors, which is a chore that some people dread, outdoor cooking is something that usually adds to the enjoyment of the experience. Many people have really turned it into an event. Sometimes people get together for no other reason than to cook and eat and have a good time. Here are some cooking items that every outdoor chef should have.
Gas And Charcoal Grills
Not too much needs to be said here. This one’s a no-brainer. If you don’t have one, you’re at least familiar with them. No conversation about outdoor cooking is complete without at least a mention of these types of grills. Nothing beats a picnic and some hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill. Of course, anyone who has any experience with them knows how many other possibilities there are as well. Chicken and steaks and just about anything else you can think of can be cooked on a grill. If you get one with side burners you can expand your options even more.
Deep Fryers
One of the latest outdoor cooking crazes is deep frying turkeys. This method of cooking turkeys has been gaining in popularity over the last several years. Once you try a bird cooked this way, you’ll want to throw your oven-cooked turkey out the window. They usually come in the form of a pot that sits on a stand with a gas burner. They come in a variety of sizes and range in price from around $60 - $200 for a complete kit.
Dutch Ovens
Dutch ovens have been a favorite for a long time. Many people do all of their outdoor cooking in Dutch ovens. They are some of the most versatile outdoor cooking tools around. They are capable of simmering, stewing, baking, roasting and frying. You can cook anything from stews and casseroles to breads and desserts and anything in between. It is basically a large cast iron pot with a tight fitting lid. Some models have legs for use over a fire. The lid will usually have a small lip on it that allows you to place charcoal on top for even heat distribution. The idea is to make it cook similar to a slow cooker.
In addition to the outdoor cooking equipment mentioned above, there are various other portable grills and griddles available to meet all of your cooking needs. Whether you’re at the campsite or in your own backyard, these items can add variety and a lot of fun to your outdoor cooking experiences.
Holiday Menus
(NC)—Try making this delicious Homegrown Ontario Pulled Pork simple slow cooker recipe this holiday season and see the difference a little planning makes. Great as an appetizer served on a crostini, this savoury morsel will save you time in the kitchen while impressing your guests. More delicious appetizer recipes can be found online at [...]
(NC)—Adding new flavour to traditional foods can be fun and be a great way to get family members to try new foods. Indian flavoured products are becoming widely available and provide a great opportunity to create mouthwatering recipes for the whole family. This shrimp korma recipe is a quick and easy one for the entire [...]
(NC)—Mulligatawny soup originally became popular with the British stationed in India (employees of the East India Company) during Colonial Times. When they returned home, they brought the recipe back with them to England, and to other members of the Commonwealth. In fact Mulligatawny is the Anglicized name of two words for “pepper water,” molegoo (pepper) [...]
(NC)—Here are two easy ways to bring some excitement to your next children’s party – Wacky Waikiki or Purple Razzle Dazzle Shakes. For dozens more delicious treats to thrill your child, visit www.homebasics.ca.
Wacky Waikiki Shake
2 large ripe bananas, peeled and quartered
1 can frozen pineapple or pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed (6 oz)
1/2 cup milk
4 scoops Breyers [...]
Savor the Flavor Every Day, Every Way
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Skyrocketing gas prices and escalating grocery costs have put getting more for a dollar top-of-mind for many consumers. Many Americans are tailoring their grocery shopping lists to ensure they get more bang for their buck. That means purchasing items that provide the best nutritional punch for their value.
Luxury items like prepackaged or single serve meals [...]
Blueberries are most abundant and least expensive in the summer, making it an ideal time to get your fill of these little blue gems. Stock the fridge and freezer with blueberries to make meals, snacks and desserts that are easy on the cook. Blueberries never need to be peeled, pitted, stemmed or chopped –just a [...]