Spice Up Barbecue Traditions:
Experts Offer Tips for Your Next Grill-out
(ARA) - Year after year we grill up the same barbecue
fare: hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken breasts. These party pleasers are
always delicious, but this year, why not add some extra spice to your
barbecue traditions? Two summer entertaining experts from Hormel Foods
share easy tips to serve up an inventive menu infused with new flavors
at your next summer grill-out!
Flavorful Grilling
"Barbecuing is a wonderful way to create delicious, smoky flavor while
keeping meat nice and juicy," says Hormel Foods' "Flavor Czar" Dan
Hernandez. "By experimenting with new ethnic flavors and spices, you add
some creativity to barbecue favorites like hamburgers and chicken."
Hernandez offers the following tips:
* Get creative with condiments: Give your guests a welcome break from
the usual barbecue condiments like ketchup, mustard and relish. Try
topping your burger with a fresh, flavorful salsa, like CHI-CHI'S Salsa,
and a slice of pepper jack cheese for a Mexican twist.
* Mix up a marinade: Marinating meat adds flavor and
tenderization before cooking. Every marinade should contain an acidic
ingredient, such as vinegar or wine; an oil, such as olive or canola;
and seasonings, such as herbs and spices.
* Serve a savory side: For an easy side, slice up new
potatoes and add a dash of light olive oil, such as CARAPELLI Extra
Light Olive Oil, which is made in the Mediterranean for authentic taste.
Mix in feta cheese and rosemary, and cook on the grill in a foil pouch
for a no-mess Greek treat.
Nutritious Grilling
Summer favorites, while heavy on taste, can be heavy on calories. Hormel
Foods' test kitchen director Joan Hanson offers these calorie-saving
tips to create tasty barbecue meals:
* Go lean: Choose white-meat poultry without the skin and lean cuts of
meat, such as sirloin, flank or tenderloin.
* Try turkey: Many barbecue favorites now have turkey
substitutes providing a leaner, lower-calorie option. Try making
hamburgers with ground turkey instead of ground beef or grill up a
seasoned turkey bratwurst, like JENNIE-O Beer 'N Turkey Bratwurst.
* Flame-broil fruit: For a low-calorie dessert, try
fruit on the grill! Lightly brush cut fruit -- such as apples, pears and
peaches -- with canola oil, add a dash of cinnamon, place on skewers and
grill for about three minutes.
Safe Grilling
"Preparing and serving grilled entrees and side dishes in warm weather
can be tricky," Hanson says. "Keeping food safe should be a top
priority." Here are some food safety tips:
* Keep it cool: To prevent bacteria growth, keep perishable foods, like
potato salad, in the refrigerator or a cooler until just before serving.
Also, always thaw meat in the refrigerator or cooler, never at room
temperature or in the sun.
* Trust the temp: Bring your meat thermometer; cook
hamburger and pork to 160 degrees F and chicken and turkey to 165
degrees F. Here's a good rule: if the juices do not run clear, keep
cooking.
* When in doubt, throw it out: After the meal, throw
away any leftovers that have become wet or have been left out for one
hour on hot days.
For more creative grilling tips, flavorful recipes and food safety
guidelines, visit www.hormel.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent
Fourth
of July Patriotic Gifts!
Proud to Be American!
Jazz Up Summer Barbecues with the
Original American Spirit
(ARA) - Premium bourbon is one of the fastest-growing
spirit categories in the world, enjoyed not only in seasons of turning
leaves and cozy fires, but also during the warm, lingering days of
summer. Whether mixed in refreshing cocktails or punching up the
barbecue sauce, a fine Kentucky bourbon is a satisfying accompaniment to
any summer grilling occasion.
Bourbon is the only straight spirit to rightfully claim the U.S. as its
birthplace. Throughout the sun-splashed days and star-spangled nights of
summer, there is no more all-American way to celebrate with good friends
than with a premium bourbon aged at least six years.
Louisville native Tom Bulleit is founder of Bulleit Bourbon, recognized
as one of the world's best whiskies at the San Francisco World Spirits
Competition. He suggests that premium bourbons add a subtly complex
character and distinctive body of flavors to summer cocktails and
punches that no other spirit can. For example, the rye used in Bulleit
Bourbon gives it a clean, dry taste that blends well with sweeter
ingredients, producing consistently delicious results. As a flavoring
for barbecue sauce, Bulleit Bourbon contributes hints of vanilla,
caramel and wood smoke.
"Bourbon is highly underrated as a summertime drink," says Bulleit. "My
wife Betsy enjoys it with tonic and a slice of lemon and everyone who
tries it remarks on how light and refreshing it tastes. In barbecue
sauce, it provides a rich and savory depth of flavor that no other
ingredient can match."
The recipes below from www.bulleitbourbon.com are two examples of fun,
creative ways to enjoy authentic American bourbon all summer long, over
ice as well as on the grill.
Bulleit "Orange Cruiser"
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces. Bulleit Bourbon
3/4 ounces. Mint Syrup
3/4 ounces Pineapple Syrup
6 orange slices
4 ounces Fresh Sweet 'n Sour
To prepare: Place the orange slices with the syrups and Bulleit Bourbon
into a shaker tin filled with ice. Shake vigorously and pour (do not
strain) into a highball glass. Garnish with mint sprig.
Note: add a splash of club soda as optional.
(Designed by Las Vegas cocktail guru Francesco LaFranconi of Southern
Wine & Spirits)
Bulleit Bourbon Pecan Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients:
2 slices smoked bacon, fine dice
1 medium onion, fine dice
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup Bulleit Bourbon
1 large can tomato puree
1/3 cup Kentucky sorghum
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
Bulleit Bourbon to taste (approx. 1/4 to 1/2 cup)
To prepare:
In heavy saucepan, brown bacon and remove with slotted spoon. In
residual grease, cook onion until transparent. Add bacon pieces and stir
for one minute. Pour in Bulleit Bourbon and flame to cook off alcohol.
Add remaining ingredients and return bacon to pot. Cook on low heat for
45 minutes until thickened. Add more Bulleit Bourbon to taste.
(Recipe created by Bob Perry, Executive Chef/GM, My Old Kentucky Dinner
Train, Bardstown, Ken.) Courtesy of ARAcontent
Patriot Day
As you know, this is a day set aside to mark the horrific events of
9/11/01 and to mark the unparalleled heroism and resilience that we witnessed in the face
of such tragedy. American Flags is giving away free American Flags to mark the occasion.
Holidays and Patriotic Celebrations
