It is time to fire up the grill! I'm sharing some of the rubs and marinades that I like to use.
Don't think, though, that you have to go to a lot of effort to get a good marinade. One of the best and easiest is to use a packet of Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing
Mix. Mix according to the directions and yum!
Cocoa Rub
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns-I prefer a blend of white, green, red and black
4 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
4 tablespoons coarse salt
Grind the pepper to a fine powder in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Mix the remaining spices, cocoa and salt. I use this rub primarily on pork.
Coca Cola Barbeque Sauce
1 12 oz can of Coca Cola
1-1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup Worchester sauce
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
4 dashes of Tabasco (vary to taste)
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring sauce to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes and sauce thickens. Sauce can be refrigerated for one week. Use the sauce to marinate chicken, pork, or beef.
Rosemary Rub
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Pinch cayenne pepper
Coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
In a food processor or a blender add the garlic, rosemary, thyme, cayenne, and salt. Pulse until combined. Pour in olive oil and pulse into a paste. Rub the paste on the meat of choice (lamb, chicken, beef, pork) and let them marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Fajita Marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine or balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup lime juice
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
3 cloves minced garlic.
Combine all ingredients and whisk together. This one is great on shrimp, vegetables, mushrooms, steak and chicken.
To drink, I recommend a crisp local brew or some freshly made margaritas. Here's my recipe for the perfect Marnier Margarita - 1 part Grand Marnier, 2 parts Tequila and 2 parts freshly squeezed lime juice. You can use something like limeade, if lime juice alone is too sour or add the juice of one lemon to every four juiced limes. Shake well with ice and add to salted glasses.
Enjoy! |
