Mole in Minutes, Laguiole Steak Knives, Tacos Al Pastor, Food Republic Grilling Month

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“Black Iron Romance”

Cast IronWe’ve become big fans of cooking in cast iron over the past couple of years, especially when using cast iron pans to cook fish in a covered grill.  Turns out there’s a Web site devoted specifically to cooking in “black iron” called, appropriately, Cooking in Cast Iron.

It’s run by Rick Mansfield and his wife Cathy, and it all started when they “got rid of Teflon and ‘converted’ (it’s almost like a religious experience)….” Though not updated daily, the site has plenty of recipes and tips for using cast iron in your cooking routine, from making Sausage & Asparagus Risotto or a Dutch Oven Brisket to evaluating the Lodge Sportsman’s Grill.

photo by Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

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From Grill to Glass, Grill Cleaning Tips, Spicy Grilled Pickles, Fish Tacos with Chipotle

Photo: Sylvain Latouche

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Luxe Horseradish, “Go Fork Yourself,” Free Steak, Truffle-Hunting Dogs, National Grilled Cheese Day Recipes

  • The Tasting Table gives a quick thumbs-up to premium horseradish brand ISH, which makes pricey but delectable horseradish blends flavored with beet, citrus, garlic and ginger.
  • The Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” host Andrew Zimmern chats with fellow food fanatic and traveler Molly Mogren in their free weekly podcast “Go Fork Yourself,” which you can listen to in iTunes.
  • Omaha Steaks allows a daily entry into their drawing for $1000 in free steaks, which they give away quarterly.  Better odds than the lottery, we’d guess.
  • Serious Eats managing editor “can think of less pleasant pastimes than running around wooded hillsides with spectacular views digging up delicacies together with your trusty pup.”  Check out her slide show.
  • Yummly, Serious Eats, Chow, and Two Peas & Their Pod all celebrated National Grilled Cheese Day on Monday with some great suggestions for turning the lowly grilled cheese into something uncommonly good.
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Williams Sonoma Goes “Agrarian”

Vinegar PotGourmet food and cookware retailer Williams Sonoma just launched a section on their Web devoted to the “Agrarian:” it’s got everything from DIY cheese recipes to info on chicken coops and beekeeping.

Check out their stoneware vinegar pot for “turning leftover wine into robust, flavorful vinegar.”

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Grills: You Get What You Pay For

As you look to upgrade your grilling and barbecue equipment this year, you may be tempted to hit the big box retailer where you can find a grill that has every bell and whistle known to man and still costs less than $300.  Just remember before you buy that you usually get what you pay for.  It may feel like a fancy grill at first, but don’t be surprised when after one season of outdoor cooking the paint starts to chip and the components breakdown.

You’re much better off buying a grill known for quality, like a Weber, Napoleon, or Broilmaster in the $300-1000 range and sacrifice some of the extra bells and whistles if cost becomes prohibitive.  What you really need is a grill that is built to last that burns evenly, giving you consistent heat across the entire cooking surface.  If you have that, you won’t miss the extra infrared burners, side burners, rotisserie kits, etc.

photo by Mike McCune

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Perfect Everyday Grills

There are all sorts of high quality grills on the market today.  If you’re looking for a great, readily available addition to your outdoor living space, look no further than the advice of Ace’s Home Expert, Lou Manfredini, who talks to Weber Grills about how to pick the perfect outdoor cooking station.

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You Say Impossible. I Say Cook-Air.

Looking for a portable wood-fire grill that can get up to 1,100 degrees in as little as five minutes and costs only $200?  Sounds impossible right? Wrong.

Give a look to the Cook-Air Portable BBQ Grill.  Thanks to a built-in fan that speeds combustion, the Cook-Air gets extremely hot in a short amount of time.  Now you can cook loads of hamburgers and restaurant-quality steaks in places you never thought possible.  Just pack your Cook-Air in its custom carry bag.  Read a recent review from CNET.

photo by Gear Patrol

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The Reason God Invented Giant Spatulas?

Meat StadiumEverything is big on Superbowl Weekend—big seats, big eats and big meats.

But nothing tops the gigantic barge of grilled bacon, beef and eggs that Char-Broil calls the “Meat Stadium.”  As they say: “Grill Big Or Go Home.”

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Flattops for the Grill

If you’re feeling limited by open-source heating, try bringing a little of the short-order-chef experience to your backyard with a Griddle-Q or Sizzle-Q from Little Griddle Innovations.

Little Griddle turns any outdoor grill surface into a flattop grill where you can cook sliders, french fries, omelets, hash browns, pancakes, bacon, or fajitas.  With the help of a Griddle-Q you may just find your outdoor tastes expanding to include some classic diner cuisine.

photo courtesy of Little Griddle Innovations

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