I am really curious if anyone has any helpful tips or secrets on grilling steaks. A couple weekends ago, we tried our hand at grilling out on a charcoal grill. We grilled sirloin steaks which came out ok. Personally, I was expecting them to look like what you get at a restaurant: really dark on the outside with seared grill marks all around. You know what I mean? Ours came out more of a light brown color. Please share your cooking love!
Yesterday was Shalya's 8th birthday party. As a 32-year old single child, and who has mostly all single friends, I have never been around kids before Jawana and I started dating. Thus, many times I put on a "fun" front, but really, I'm uncomfortable. Being around 8 second graders yesterday was unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I guess they must have liked me because they wanted me to play basketball or draw on the sidewalk with them. At first I was in my "uncomfortable mode" but as the afternoon wore on, I actually had fun.
I'll tell you another thing I have never experienced before, is girl-drama. Several times the kids were like, "So and so is being mean". And they were crying like it was the end of the world. I was like, "Ok, I don't know what to do here, you handle this." lol Also, screaming I've noticed that little girls scream a lot. Lesson: always keep a set of earplugs with you.
I am starting to see the real value in the role of the stay at home mom. There are the traditional roles of the mom but aside from that, the nurturing aspect to the growth of the child is what is missing from our culture today. Both parents are working to pay for a life style which they think will help their family, but in reality it is destroying the family. Mainly I'm thinking about day care and parents pawning their kids off with strangers who probably don't share a similar value system, or even teach a value system.
When I hear parents talking about how their kids messed up in a bad way, all I can think is, it all comes back to that child not having a true sense of self worth within themselves. I know peer pressure can be tough, but I also believe that a large portion of "failures" result from those you hang around with. If you befriend people who strive to lift you up and do the right things, you will be less likely to go astray and make poor decisions. It is when you befriend those of "the world" and take on their ways that you stumble. I see and hear about it time and time again.
As a parent (which I am not... officially yet) it seems to me that it would be of the utmost importance to monitor not only what your child watches and listens to, but also who they are friends with. I am so thankful my parents were very strict with me growing up and for teaching me that there is a right way to behave and a wrong way to behave, and that when you behave in a wrong way, as defined by the Bible, you will suffer consequences. However, when you do things the right way, you are blessed in a tremendous way.
What's crazy is, it really does seem to work that way in life. When I see people who are struggling in any area, it's really easy to see where they have made a mistake. I've noticed it can be traced back to a moral or ethical deficiency, usually identifiable as some sort of character flaw. Hopefully someone will love them enough to point out their character flaw to help get them on the path to success in life.
This morning I found myself actually interested in a conversation on how to grow a garden. Several guys I work with grow tomatoes, squash, watermelon, etc at home. I'm not sure what is happening to me, but it's like I'm becoming an adult. First I'm enjoying being around children, and now, I'm interested in gardening. I'm very frightened right now.
5 comments:
OK, Grill Master K, here are my two tips:
1. Marinate everything! Barbecue sauce or Dale's sauce works well on chicken. I like using garlic salt to season burgers.
2. Charcoal grilling just takes practice. And tastes better to me. Gas grilling is easier. It's basically like cooking in an oven, but I always think the food has that gassy taste. Blech.
Grill Master K... ROFL, you know Bone that reminds me of those old "married with children" epsiodes where Buds nickname was Grand Master B. Good high quality family entertainment right there!
Hi Kyle,
Long time no talk.
RE: Steaks
I usually grill NY strips because they are consistent in size thus making it easier to cook two or more at a time. I also like Ribeyes. If you choose ribeye make sure you get them with a little bit of "marbling". Not too much though. This is a good blend of fat and meat which helps the taste.
Marinate in apple cider vinegar for about an hour. The vinegar breaks down the fibers in the meat and makes it very tender. After an hour, I pour out the vinegar and marinate in Moore's. It's the same as Dale's but about half the sodium. Just my preference. Sometimes I squeeze some fresh lemon juice in there as well.
Marinate in Moore's for about an hour also. Make sure you marinate your steaks in a pan on the counter. Don't marinate in the fridge. Throwing cold steaks on the grill will make the meat tough. After marinating, cover one side with fresh cracked pepper. Don't be afraid to use a lot because the grill will burn some of it off.
Now, to the restaurant appearance you are looking for. I prefer charcoal but gas will work also. You want to cook your steaks HOT but not too close to the fire. The glazed look is done by "mopping" the grill grate with olive oil (veg oil will work also). I usually grab a piece of fat with the tongs, dip into the oil, and run it up and down the grate. You don't want to do this until you are ready for the steaks to go on it though.
Throw your "close to room temp" steaks on the grill pepper side down. For an inch and a half thick steaks you want 5 minutes on one side, then quarter turn the steaks with your tongs, then flip over. Cook five more minutes, quarter turn and flip again for one minute on each side. The quarter turn and flip will give your steaks the restaurant style X brand markings. The olive oil will give your steak the glazed look. It takes a little practice but you'll get it.
Take your steaks off the grill and immediately wrap individually in aluminum foil. Let them sit for a few minutes as you make your plate. They will continue to cook a little once taken off the grill and will stay hot this way.
If you want to get fancy, skewer some shrimp marinated in melted butter and lemon juice and grill them also for about a minute on each side. They get done very quick and will be completely pink when done. Overcooking will make them chewy. The shrimp is done almost as soon as it hits the grill. Trust me. You can also sprinkle some italian seasoning and garlic on them as well.
Add some alfredo and angel hair pasta to finish it off and you have a fantastic home cooked meal that will impress your girl.
Salad on the side and you have done it.
Let me know when you want to do a Boston butt.
Chris Culver
I thought about you today Kyle because you have written about illegals...I just found out that I taught an illegal alien last year. How is that possible? I have no idea. Crazy public education system! :)
wow chris! thanks for the info! thanks everyone!
Jen... crazy yeah. My folks went down to the Texas border this week for 2 weeks as part of the minute man thing.
I'm glad you commented, because I updated my linx last week, and didn't have your new addy.
Kyle
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