Recipe: Simple Grilled Salmon Steaks

 Salmon is a great fish for the grill, as its meaty texture means it holds together well, and as it is a more fatty fish, it is less likely to dry out over the high heat. This simple recipe lets the flavors of the salmon and the grill shine through. Plus it's super easy to whip up in a jiffy on a busy weeknight for a delicious, healthy dinner!

Simple Grilled Salmon Steaks

Ingredients:

1 1/2 inch salmon steak (or fillet) per person
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp parsley
dash lemon-pepper seasoning
wedges of lemon for serving (optional)

Directions:

• Put salmon steaks in a glass dish and pour in the wine, oil, and seasonings, turning salmon to coat well.
• Put in refrigerator and let marinade for 2 hours or more, turning several times to make sure salmon marinades all over.
• When ready, set grill to medium and oil the grates or fish basket.
• Remove fish from marinade and reserve marinade. Put fish on direct heat on grill and cook for about 10 minutes, then flip and cook for 10 minutes more.
• Use the leftover marinade and brush on the fish several times before you flip, then again a few times before they are done cooking.
• Your salmon should be cooked all the way through and flake with a fork.
• Remove from grill to a platter and serve hot with wedges of lemon and grilled or steamed vegetables.

Beyond Meat: Yes, You Can Grill That!

Ever since man crawled out of his cave and discovered fire, it seems there has been an obsession with grilling. There is just something about slapping a huge hunk of meat on a set of red-hot metal bars that gets men all worked up - it sure does my husband, at least. The classic stereotypical picture of the man of the house drooling over his grill while the woman of the house is out shopping for shoes certainly can bring on a chuckle.  But then again, the reason this image is funny is because it's often so true - I know it is at our house!

There is, however, more to grilling than just the cave man's hunter instinct. Sometimes the 'gatherer' comes into play.  Let's take a look at a few other things that can be grilled in order to expand the cooking vocabulary of today's domesticated cave man and cave woman.

More than Meat

Flat breads like naan cook great on the grill.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While grilling usually goes hand in hand with sports, summer days, and pool outings, that doesn't mean it has to be the same meal over and over – either chicken, steak, hamburgers, or hotdogs. There are tons of other foods you can grill out that will possibly change your perception of what you can do with your grill.

A good grill can give you all the cooking surfaces you need. From an open flame to a stove top to an oven and rotisserie, grills are the ultimate cooking machine. The sky is the limit when you begin dreaming about your cookout. Meat need not be the focus of your meal when you can also grill your salad, soup, and even dessert!?

Rise to the Occasion

Bread cooked on the grill is light and fluffy while having an irresistible crunchy crust. Indian breads are great to grill, like naan, which is typically cooked in a tandoori oven over an open flame. Pizzas, tortillas, and even cornbread are other great dishes that benefit from the dry heat and smokey flavor from the grill.

Flat breads are the most common breads to throw on the grill since they char easily and cook quickly. Other breads that are common are your artisan styles, like chibatta and focaccia, which are also thinner breads that will cook faster and take on the charred flavor and grilled look.

Grilled bananas on skewers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Savor your Sweet Tooth

Desserts cooked on the grill bring a whole new flavor profile to your favorite sweet treat. Just take pound cake for example. Have you ever considered throwing a slice on the grill? Maybe you should! And after you do that, top it with a warm espresso chocolate drizzle and a hand full of chopped, roasted pistachios. Your preconceived notions of grilled desserts will be forever altered.

If that doesn't get you excited, how about a grilled banana sundae? That's right. Slice a couple bananas in half lengthwise and throw them on the grill. If you want to get a great char on them, coat them first with some orange juice. Create your sundae, throw the grilled bananas on and then top with a little orange zest to bring the flavor full circle.  Now that's flavor even a cave man would love!

Who would have thought you could grill almost anything? All it takes to create a new spin on an old family favorite is a metal rack and some hot embers. Use your imagination and pretty soon you'll be firing up the grill for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and even a midnight snack! :-)

Be sure to check back later this week for some recipes for a few unique grilled treats!

Home-Grilled vs. Steakhouse Steaks

One of the reasons many people buy a grill is to do one thing and do it well – grill steak.  But, there are times when you think; “Should we go out for steak or should we just grill a couple here?”

Often when this happens, you're tired and hungry already.  So, the discussion ends with everyone getting into the car, driving to a restaurant, paying outrageous prices for simple food, and maybe enjoying it, and maybe not.  Was it worth it?  Could you have cooked the same meal at home and been happier?  Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Steakhouse Steak

Grilled sirloin steak with vegetables. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hands down, the best thing about going out to eat is the lack of work it takes before you have food before you. You don't have to figure out what to cook. You don't have to do the prep. You don't have to figure out how to cook it, and most importantly, you don't have to clean up after you are done.

Also, when you go out to eat, you can actually carry on conversations with your friends and family instead of rushing around trying to get everything done. These are nice benefits, indeed.

Of course, while everything is taken care of for you, you will pay for the convenience. It may be easier, but your expenses will probably be at least double what it would cost to get the ingredients and make the exact same meal at home.

An unknown element can also be a detriment to going out to eat.  You don't have control over what kind of day your server or the kitchen staff is having. This could mean long waits, poor service, or even food that isn't quite right. Is the same chef on duty as the last time you had that good steak?  Who knows.

Home-Grilled Steak

Why hope that your steak will come out right when you can take matters into your own hands and create a gourmet meal right at home?  If you long for a tender juicy steak, why not put your own on the grill and have it exactly the way you want, and with less fuss and expense?

Home-grilled steaks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You don't have to sit in a crowded restaurant trying to shout over the people at the table next to you.  You won't get the wrong meal or have anything missed. Grilling out at home gives you all the control without all of the stress and high prices.

Of course, cooking at home means you are tied up in the kitchen and at the grill getting everything ready.  Sometimes this means you are left alone while your family spends time watching the game or conversing in the other room without you.  Then, after all of your hard work, you also get to clean up  the kitchen. So, yes, sitting down to a steak dinner at a restaurant sounds appealing at this point.  But remember the cost and the value for your money.  Is it worth it to really learn how to properly grill a steak at home to skip the whole restaurant thing?

Is There a Clear Winner?

As far as close calls go, the decision between going out to eat or grilling at home is one of the more difficult decisions to make. They both have their pros and cons.  However, there is nothing that can compare to grilling a steak at home. No restaurant meal can compare with the aroma of grilling your own steak, or the feeling you get when you set that perfectly grilled steak on the table and sit down to eat.  I say, save your dinners out for other dishes.  When it comes to steak, throw it on at home!

 Be sure to check back later this week for a couple of simple and delicious grilled steak recipes.

Healthy & Delicious Grilling for Memorial Day Memories

Today is the unofficial kickoff to summer, even though it doesn't officially start for a few more weeks. Families and friends everywhere are gathering to celebrate Memorial Day, usually by grilling some meat. 

But what if you're vegetarian? Whether you’re expecting vegetarian guests, you’ve newly transitioned to vegetarianism yourself, or you’d just like to incorporate more meatless recipes to give some variety to your cookout menu, there are all kind of ways to prepare delicious meatless options at your barbecue.

Grilled vegetables. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Before beginning, remember that most vegetarian foods are more fragile than meat, and do not contain as much fat. Therefore, a clean and well-lubricated grill is essential to successfully grilling vegetables. It’d be a shame for those beautiful peppers to stick to the grill!

Traditionally, vegetables have been considered a side dish in most meals, but at a cookout they can also take center stage as the entrée. Almost any kind of vegetable is great for grilling. Complement your meal by serving grilled veggies over pasta, rice or polenta. You can also make them into extraordinary sandwiches with a soy-based cheese and some freshly baked rolls or bread. 

Cut the vegetables lengthwise into thin slices in the case of zucchini and eggplant, or into thick rings, in the case of onions, tomatoes and peppers. If you'd rather have your veggies in handy bite-size pieces for serving with pasta and the like, try using a special pan for the grill with small holes that keep the veggies from falling through the grill and being lost. And probably the easiest way to grill vegetables on the grill is shish-ka-bob style!

Don’t forget to balance out those grilled vegetables with some fresh fruit salads, perfectly chilled and juicy. Watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and citrus fruits all complement one another well in a delightful fruit salad prepared with fresh, real whipped cream. Also use fruits to experiment with some fun smoothies and slushies for the kids – they’re fun and much better for them than sugary sodas. 

Whether you're vegetarian, or just want to add some more veggies to your Memorial Day cookout this year, there are plenty of delicious and healthy options to go around.

 Happy Memorial Day from New Holistic Living!

 

Recipe: Lemony Herbed Shrimp Kabobs

This is a super easy and tasty recipe great for summer grilling! Fresh lemon zest, herbs, and honey combine to give the shrimp a punch of flavor and character. Add your choice of vegetables to the skewers, such as zucchini, summer squash, sliced bell peppers, etc., for a full meal. Check it out for your next barbecue or pop it on the grill for a quick, light, weeknight dinner.

Lemony Herbed Shrimp Kabobs
(Serves 2-3 as a main dish.)

Shrimp kebobs on a charcoal grill. (Photo credit: ddkkpp)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup green onions, chopped fine
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup honey
3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Directions:

• Whisk together all ingredients (except shrimp) in a glass or plastic bowl, then add shrimp and gently toss to combine.  
• Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Prepare your grill or broiler.
• Remove shrimp from marinade, discard marinade, and put shrimp on metal or water-soaked bamboo skewers.
• Grill for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once during cooking time, until shrimp are cooked through and pink. (This can be a main dish for 2 to 3 people or appetizers for more.)

Recipe - Salmon Patties with Cool Dill Sauce

Here's another great salmon recipe. Canned salmon is easy and convenient (and cheap) for this recipe, but for a fresher taste, you can also use leftover grilled, broiled, or poached salmon - just flake it finely, or process in a food processor until well chopped. The oats make the patties more substantial and help them hold together, and this simple and healthy recipe gets it's kick from the fresh, summery sauce made with fresh garden veggies and dill - a great combo with the salmon!

Salmon Patties with Dill Sauce

Ingredients:

1 can (14 oz) salmon, drained
3/4 cup old fashioned oats, uncooked
1/3 cup milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
1/8 tsp salt

Sauce:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup finely chopped tomato
1/3 cup finely chopped cucumber
1 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill

Directions:

• Put yogurt, tomato, cucumber, onion, and dill in a small bowl and whisk together. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• In a separate bowl, put salmon, oats, egg, onion, and dill and mix together well. 
• Shape salmon mixture into patties.
• Drizzle a little olive oil into heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Cook salmon patties until golden brown on each side, about 3 or 4 minutes.
• Drizzle cool sauce over salmon patties and serve hot.

Want More Salmon Recipes?
   

Recipe - Grilled Pineapple Banana Kabobs with Lemon Glaze

If you're looking to dress up a holiday picnic, or just add something a little special to a family dinner around the grill, here's a new one to try. Desserts from the grill can include more than just S'Mores. This one combines the sweetness of bananas and summery pineapple with the tangy zest of lemon for a tropical grilled treat!

Grilled Pineapple Banana Kabobs with Sweet Lemon Glaze

bananas (Photo credit: Fernando Stankuns)

Ingredients:

8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for at least 4 hours
4 ripe bananas, unpeeled, ends cut off, cut into 2-inch chunks, with 1 lengthwise slice in each peel
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup turbinado (raw) sugar
1/2 lemon zested and juiced

Directions:

1. Put the fruit on the skewers, alternating between the banana and pineapple chunks, and set aside.
2. Put the sugar in a small heavy-bottomed sauce pan and place over medium-high heat; cook stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar turns into liquid, about 3 to 4 minutes. Continue stirring and add the lemon zest and juice. Set aside.
3. Set your grill to medium-high heat.
4. Brush the skewered banana and pineapple with the glaze and put skewers on grill.
5. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, roll and cook 2 to 3 minutes, repeating until fruit is lightly browned on all sides.
6. Remove from grill and when cooled enough to handle, remove banana peels, then brush again with remaining glaze and serve.

More Great Grilling Recipes: 
   

Recipe - Ballpark Sausages with Grilled Peppers and Onions

Here's a great recipe to try for some tasty summer grilling fun.  Whether it's a quintessential grilling summer holiday like the 4th of July, or just a weekend on the patio with the family, grilled foods are easy, convenient, and just a great part of summer!

Check out this classic recipe on the grill, and bask in these early summer days with a big ol' sausage! :-)

Ballpark Sausages with Grilled Peppers and Onions

Some sausages grilling (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

3 green bell peppers, cleaned and cut into strips
1 medium sweet onion, cut into wedges
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 package (14 ounce size) smoked hot or sweet Italian sausages, cut in half lengthwise
4 hero rolls, sliced open
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:

• Turn grill on and heat to medium-hot.
• Put peppers and onions in a bowl with oil and toss to combine, then put in grilling basket or tray.
• Place basket with peppers and onions on grill and sausages directly on grates.
• Cook peppers and onions until just starting to char, about 3 or 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for 3 or 4 minutes or until soft and nicely charred.
• Cook sausages about 3 or 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for about the same time or until they get nice and hot and have good grill marks.
• Put open side of rolls down on grill during the last minute of cooking to toast.
• Remove everything from grill, and dump peppers and onions, along with the sausages into a large bowl or pot, add vinegar and mozzarella cheese and toss to combine.
• To serve, use tongs and take 2 sausage halves, and a generous amount of peppers and onions and put on a toasted bun. Add a bit of mustard if desired.

Yum! Fire up the grill - I'm hungry already!


Get Grilling: 
   

Labor-Free Labor Day Cooking

Today we have a special Labor Day edition. It's a day early, so you can follow some of the tips here, for a stress-free Labor Day meal!

Image via WikipediaIt's almost a misnomer, but there are plenty of ways that you can make the cooking for your Labor Day meal virtually labor-free compared to years long past. (At least the cooking that will take place on the actual holiday.) This is a good deal in most homes as often the ones doing the cooking really don't get to enjoy the holiday and still have to go to work the very next day. By doing most of the labor for the meal preparation ahead of time you will have very little to do on Labor Day itself other than setting up the table and reheating the items that need to be heated.

The first thing you absolutely must do in order to enjoy a truly labor free Labor Day is plan ahead. Plan a menu that is full of items that can be prepared ahead of time and either stored, refrigerated, or frozen in such a manner that very little work will be required to have them ready to serve on the day of the main event. Some excellent ideas for this include foods such as vegetable trays (the veggies can be chopped a day ahead of time and stored in zipper bags in the fridge, sausage balls (these may be prepared well ahead of time and frozen), and frozen desserts.

Once you have the menu planned you need to do the shopping a bit ahead of time. Shopping close to the holidays is a little more hectic, a lot more crowded, and you are twice as likely to either not get the items you need or forget something from your list. Another thing is that you should have a list and just like Santa check it twice to make sure that everything on your list has been purchased. If not, you need to either go back into the fray and get it or (if the store is out) make immediate plans to stop in another store and pick up the missing item. You do not want to be going on a mad hunt for an open store on Easter morning.

Once you've done this, consider meals that can be made relatively trouble free in the crock pot. This means a few minutes of trouble in the morning, for each crock pot treat, and hands free cooking the rest of the day. Barbecue ribs and baked barbecue beans are popular crock pot items that require little prep work and taste great at the end of the day.

Image via WikipediaIf grilling is indeed something that is an important Labor Day tradition for your family, try to do all the marinating and rubs the night before so that the grilling is straightforward and everything is ready to go in the morning. While you're at it, you may want to toss a few of the veggies you set aside for the veggie tray onto the grill as well.

Another thing you need to do to limit your labor contribution to the Labor Day cooking is recruit help for the process. Invite friends and family that will be joining in the experience to bring specialty dishes that they prepare. This leaves you free from the need to prepare that particular dish and, equally important, from the need to clean up after the dish was made. If you have kids and a husband put them to work for the preparation and the clean up efforts! There is no rule written that says you have to do it all and you shouldn't be expected to. Make others contribute their fare share and take a moment to have a nice cold glass of tea.

If you do all of the things mentioned above you will find yourself anticipating rather than dreading Labor Day and that your efforts really pay off quite well in the end. In fact, you may have time to hit the hammock for a little while if you're lucky!

Related Articles on Labor Day Cooking:

• Cooking Out for Labor Day (menopausemaniac.com)
• MyPlate is Labor-Free for Labor Day (prweb.com)
• Do You Know What You're Cooking for Labor Day? (esquire.com)

Time for Cooking On the Grill

Well, summertime is here at last! Which means it is time to begin preparing meals without heating the house whenever possible. If you haven't considered the value of cooking on the grill in the past, perhaps now is a great time to adjust your way of thinking.

Image via WikipediaCooking on the grill is a great way to keep the heat of cooking outside your home as well as to bring the family together for the entire cooking process. Moms read: this is a great way to get dad to help out with meal preparation! While this is said somewhat in jest, there is some truth to the fact that men are much more inclined to slave away over a hot grill than a hot stove. More importantly, most of the mess of cooking on the grill remains outside your kitchen. I don't know about you, but that is a huge bonus for me, when it comes to cooking.

Cooking on the grill is also a great way to get the kids involved in the meal preparation and clean up process.  If you are hoping for instant family unity over the picnic table you might want to think again but there isn't anything quite like it when it comes to not worrying about spills or dropped food as you can rest fairly certain that the animals will take care of anything that gets left behind.

Even small children can help when cooking on the grill by bringing utensils to the grill, holding plates, and 'setting' the picnic table for your dining experience. If you intend to do a good deal of cooking on the grill, and eating outside, you may want to invest in some portable and 'kid friendly' containers for things such as condiments, napkins, plastic ware, and tablecloth holders. Be sure to find containers that can handle a decent gust of wind without flying off too. These may be a little heavier for your little ones to hold but they won't be nearly as difficult to chase when blowing across the lawn.

Image via WikipediaCooking on the grill is a great way to enjoy nature after a long day of work. Don't just reserve this as a weekend event as you will find you miss out on some of the relaxing qualities it can bring to your midweek slump. One thing that can definitely be said about grill cooking is that the selections are almost as limitless as they are when cooking on the stove. You must use your imagination for maximum effect though very few meats and vegetables are truly off limits when it comes to cooking on the grill.

In addition to cooking meats on the grill, it is important to keep in mind that you can also cook all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables on the grill as well - and it's actually a pretty healthy way to cook, since excess fat will drain from the meat, and of course you're not frying anything. (You can also find lots of yummy grilling recipes online.) There are also lots of tasty summertime side dishes that go great with grilled foods such as baked beans, potato salad, and nice cool deserts and pies.

Cooking on the grill is a great way to bring family and friends together. The next time you plan to have a get together why not make it a night of grilling out? You can have the best of all worlds with no muss, no fuss and great food with good friends. Cooking on the grill is certainly a great way to get the neighbors out and about. There's nothing on earth that can quite compare to the aroma of meat, fruit, and vegetables grilling over hot charcoal.

The most important thing to remember about cooking on the grill is that it should be an experience rather than a chore. Most of us truly enjoy the thought of having a good dinner under the sun or stars (whichever applies in your case). If you haven't tried this in a while, it's time to dust off the grill and refresh your memory and your taste buds!