25 great grilling recipes
All winter, Canadians yearn for weather that's just warm enough to fire up the grill. Perhaps we get out there a little too early -- when there's still snow on the ground -- but it can be hard to resist the temptation of a succulent barbecued steak after a long, cold winter.
By summertime, a rotation of the same steak and hamburgers can get a little old. Add to your barbecue recipes repertoire by trying some of our easy grilling recipes, designed to maintain your barbecuing enthusiasm all year.
Great grilling recipes: chicken, turkey, poultry
1. Caesar Turkey Brochettes
The clam and tomato juices of one of Canada's favourite drinks are mimicked in skewers of marinated turkey coated in a barbecue sauce with tomato ketchup and oyster sauce.
2. Grilled Chicken with Adobo Seasoning
Puerto Rican adobo seasoning is a favourite among the island's cooks and always includes powdered garlic, onion and oregano, among other spices.
3. Lemon Pepper Cornish Hen
Wonderfully succulent, tender and full of flavour, the Cornish hen here gets a Mediterranean-style twist.
4. Grilled Orange Duck
Steaming the duck before grilling infuses it with flavour and rids it of the extra fat that causes flare-ups on the grill. You can grill the duck whole, but splitting it up makes it easier and faster.
5. Grilled Coriander Chicken Satays
Fresh coriander is the main flavouring here in both the marinade and the raita (spiced yogurt) you make to serve alongside the skewers. Serve with sliced cucumber, jicama and red onion to dip in the raita, accompanied by Bulgur Pilaf or rice.
Great grilling recipes: Steaks, ribs, red meats
6. Grilled Pork Tenderloin Steaks with Gorgonzola
Lean pork tenderloin benefits from quick, hot cooking, so pounding it into steaks makes good sense. The Gorgonzola cheese melts over the meat for an instant and elegant sauce.
7. Spanish-style Grilled Spring Lamb Leg
Delicate spring lamb demands a light yet assertive touch of seasoning as in this eminently simple but delicious recipe.
8. Whiskey Sour Ribs
The sweet caramel taste of bourbon and tart lemon makes these doused ribs irresistible.
9. Grilled Veal Chops with Fines-Herbes Butter
Delectable veal chops deserve simple grilling and lightly seasoned yet tasty sauces. If you are lucky enough to have a surfeit of spring morel mushrooms, gild the lily by sautéing and serving the mushrooms atop the butter sauce.
10. Montreal Spiced Bison Steaks
Here, the Prairies meet the sophisticated urban centre of Montreal. Bison (buffalo) is lean, exceptionally tasty meat, like very rich beef. Of course, you can substitute beef steaks for the bison.
11. Grilled Rib Roast with Cherry-Tomato Salsa
Buy a thick-cut one-rib roast for this spectacular grill.
12. Mojito Rack of Lamb
Mint and rum define this famous Cuban drink; here we infuse lamb with rum, garlic and spices, then top it with a fragrant mint chutney.
13. Barbecued Garlic Ribs
These toothsome ribs are great for a weeknight because they need marinate for only a short time. For a spicy version, add up to 1 tsp (5 mL) cayenne pepper to the marinade, or serve with your favourite hot sauce. Grilled vegetables on the side work well with the ribs.
14. Grilled Steak Diable
Marinated sirloin steak grilled with a mustard and pepper crust is devilishly hot and tasty. It may seem like a lot of pepper, but inevitably some will fall through the grill. Serve the sliced steak with fresh radishes and a cellar of sea salt. For a true French flair, use the world-renowned fleur de sel from Brittany.
15. Jerk Pork Kabobs
Hot and spicy jerk seasoning has become the emblem of Jamaican cuisine. Usually whole pork shoulders are jerked and spit-barbecued, but kabobs are easier to prepare and serve.
Great grilling recipes: fish and seafood
16. Grilled Monkfish
Because of its firm texture and lobsterlike taste, monkfish makes a fine fish for the grill. You can substitute other fresh herbs, such as basil, tarragon or coriander for the mint if desired. Filipino Pickled Slaw and corn on the cob make excellent accompaniments.
17. Spiced Grilled Red Snapper
Instead of red snapper, you can use other fish such as white snapper, red mullet, striped bass, rockfish, porgy or even freshwater fish such as whitefish or pickerel for this recipe.
18. Portuguese-Style Grilled Marinated Sardines
Sardines, with their rich, assertive flavour, are a favourite southern European fish. Boned and marinated, as we've done here, they make an elegant starter.
19. A Mari usque ad Mare Grill
Canada's national motto from our coat of arms– meaning “from sea to sea” – is expressed in culinary terms in this recipe. Scallops from the East Coast and wild salmon from the West are graced with a lively Chinese-style relish as a nod to our country's multiculturalism.
20. Grilled Salmon with Dill and Mustard Seeds
Dill is a favourite seasoning for salmon; here, it's complemented by spicy mustard seeds and cumin. Mayonnaise helps the spices adhere to the salmon, adds moistness and prevents the fish from sticking to the grate.
Great grilling recipes: vegetables
21. Spicy Grilled Corn on the Cob
Precooked corn grilled with a piquant barbecue sauce (enough for a dozen cobs) is delicious.
22. Grilled Asparagus with Fines Herbes Sauce
The egg yolk in this sauce is heated to kill any harmful bacteria that might exist in a classical mayonnaise made with raw egg yolks.
23. Grilled Eggplant and Garlic Salad
If desired, you can replace the coriander with the same amount of parsley or simply sprinkle a handful of chopped fresh mint over this salad.
24. Grilled Hot Pepper Salsa
This is an all-purpose salsa that's good for fish, red and white meats and even just for dipping with your favourite chips. Adjust the heat of the salsa by choosing the number of hot peppers.
25. Grilled Pepper and Walnut Spread
Pomegranate molasses is a tart, concentrated reduction of pomegranate juice used widely in Middle Eastern cooking; buy it at Middle Eastern grocers. Serve with pita and cucumber slices.
For the most succulent meals, be sure to tune up your barbecue before you get grilling.
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