_a Grillers Steak Glossary Recipes

_STEAK ON THE GRILL: SIZZLING SENSATIONS

Steps:

• Buy The Best. No, we don't mean filet mignon every night. Just follow your appetite (sirloin tonight?), then scrutinize the cuts before you. You can't go wrong with prime, but chances are you're going to be choosing between Choice and Select at the average grocery store. Go for Choice. (If the steak grades aren't on the packages, ask the folks behind the counter.) Look for bright red meat and hunt down the ones with the finest flecks/streaks of fat. But don't assume that cheaper or leaner cuts can't deliver on flavor. Flank and skirt steaks, once considered culinary stepchildren, are now very popular--just take that extra tenderizing step and you've got a fine meal.Tidy Up And Dress Up. Trimming steaks is easy because the fat is usually around the outer edge. Leave about 1/4 inch of fat for flavor--more will just invite flare-ups. If you're not using a recipe, a light coating of the best extra-virgin olive oil you can afford and a generous sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper is all the seasoning you need for a tasty beef experience.Get Hot, Not Bothered. Get that cooking grate searing hot! Charcoal grillers, be sure to place the cooking grate on the grill and close the lid for several minutes before you place the steaks on it. You want those steaks to sizzle when they hit the metal. Sear steaks over Direct High heat for a few minutes on each side to get great grill marks (for tips on how to make perfect grill marks, see the sidebar on page 107). Depending on your preferred doneness, you can finish your steak over Direct High or Medium heat (Medium is better for marinade-coated steaks). Know When To Turn Them. If you're used to the old "cut and peek" method of checking doneness (we can't think of a surer way to mar a lovely steak), here's a great trick. When meat heats up on the grill, the juices inside rise to the surface. You can tell a steak's doneness by the color of the juices on top of it. For rare steaks, turn while the juices are red. For medium steaks, turn when they're pink. And for well done, wait until they are clear. Note the time they've been cooking. After you turn them, wait the same number of minutes to pull them off the grill. Voilà. You are a steak-grilling genius! If you're grilling steaks to different doneness levels, keep the finished ones warm under foil on individual plates. Be sure to drizzle any escaped juices back over the respective steaks when you serve them.And Finally, A Word About Steak Sauce. We used to be against this stuff. Somehow, pouring bottled anything onto your grilled masterpiece just seemed wrong. So we started experimenting in the kitchen and guess what? Making your own just adds to the pleasure, not to mention the flavor! While virgin grilled beef will always be near and dear to us, we have experienced some breathless moments with the artful drizzle. Check out our recipes--crafted to match the marinades and rubs we've developed--and see if they don't heighten the flavor.From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

_GRILLING GUIDE: BEEF

Steps:

• Cut:Steak: New York, porterhouse, rib-eye, T-bone, or tenderloin Thickness and/or Weight: 3/4 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 8 to 10 minutes Direct Medium Thickness and/or Weight: 1 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 10 to 12 minutes Direct Medium Thickness and/or Weight: 1 1/4 inches thick Approximate Grilling Time: 14 to 16 minutes: sear 10 minutes Direct High, grill 4 to 6 minutes Indirect Medium Thickness and/or Weight: 1 1/2 inches thick Approximate Grilling Time: 16 to 18 minutes: sear 10 minutes Direct High, grill 6 to 8 minutes Indirect Medium Thickness and/or Weight: 2 inches thick Approximate Grilling Time: 20 to 24 minutes: sear 10 minutes Direct High, grill 10 to 14 minutes Indirect MediumSkirt steak Thickness and/or Weight: 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 5 to 7 minutes Direct HighFlank steak Thickness and/or Weight: 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, 3/4 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 12 to 15 minutes Direct MediumKabob Thickness and/or Weight: 1 to 1 1/2 inch cubes Approximate Grilling Time: 10 to 12 minutes Direct MediumTenderloin, whole Thickness and/or Weight: 3 1/2 to 4 pounds Approximate Grilling Time: 35 to 50 minutes (medium rare): sear 20 minutes Direct Medium, grill 15 to 30 minutes Indirect MediumGround beef patty Thickness and/or Weight: 3/4 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 8 to 10 minutes Direct MediumRib-eye roast, boneless Thickness and/or Weight: 5 to 6 pounds Approximate Grilling Time: 1 1/2 to 2 hours Indirect MediumTri-tip roast Thickness and/or Weight: 2 to 2 1/2 pounds Approximate Grilling Time: 30 to 40 minutes: sear 10 minutes Direct High, grill 20 to 30 minutes Indirect MediumRib roast Thickness and/or Weight: 12 to 14 pounds Approximate Grilling Time: 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours Indirect MediumVeal loin chop Thickness and/or Weight: 1 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 10 to 12 minutes Direct MediumFrom Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

_A GRILLER'S PORK RIB GLOSSARY

Steps:

• Baby back ribs: These are cut from the top end of the rib bone-flavorful, meaty, and small. Some butchers offer them with the backbone still attached check that the price per pound drops accordingly. Spareribs: Sometimes called St. Louis ribs, these longer bones offer more gnawing pleasure. You've had them sauced, but have you tried them with a dry rub, marinade, or mop and then sauce? Yow!Country-style spareribs (a.k.a. split or butterflied blade chops): Big and meaty, these "ribs" are really individual, thick chops cut from the shoulder end of the loin. If you see a bone, it's actually a shoulder blade, not a rib. Who cares? They taste great and are easy on the budget. Plus, there's no membrane to remove, just trim the fat. Serving: Count on 1 pound of raw weight per serving. Some folks like more (especially when the sauce is homemade).From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

*BEEF

Steps:

• Most food cravings live short but intense lives. If the real thing isn't available, you can usually be placated with a reasonable facsimile or a close-enough relative. But when you're struck by the deep, maddening yearning for juicy grilled beef, you just gotta have the real thing. Nothing else will do.If beef is your passion, these moments can border on crisis. Details such as texture, the degree of doneness, and seasonings are sacrosanct. This desired beef serving must not merely be. It must be just so. No wonder so many beef lovers turn to the grill for true satisfaction. Whether you're preparing steaks, filets, burgers, or a roast, the grill is the best--some would say only--way to sear the outside quickly, giving it a wonderfully caramelized surface that yields to the tenderness within. But that's only half the story. Without a doubt, beef reaches its fullest flavor when steeped in the smoke that rises up when fat and juices drip onto the flames below. This is the stuff that cowboy dreams are made of. Then, of course, there is beef's appeal to the chef: versatility. Bovine topography is vast and varied, with a range of textures and flavors that's impossible to replicate. From the tender valleys of the short loin to the massive peaks of the chuck, there's a lot of territory to work with here. This affords the chef the luxury of choosing not only the cut, but the preparation method as well. Let's say you're craving a rich, tender helping. How about a filet mignon, a tenderloin roast, or a sizzling rib-eye? Easy, fast, delicious. Or let's say it's Saturday and you want to treat yourself after a busy day of errands and chores. Just slip a flank or skirt steak into a tenderizing marinade when you wake up and dine on thin slices of beef dripping with seasoned flavor that evening. And who doesn't appreciate the simplicity of the burger, which you can dress up or down depending on your mood. Fine-tuned to your craving-of-the-moment, the burger can be bliss. Got more time on your hands? Spend some of it rubbing or stuffing a roast or marinating some beef ribs. You won't regret a minute invested. And wouldn't a savory sauce--say, a velvety blend of red wine, mushrooms, and butter--be worth the effort to create? We think so! There are even choices today about the quality of beef you start with. We're not talking about the grade and cut, but rather the purity of the cattle's feed and water, whether or not the cattle ever receive growth hormones, how they're treated for illness, and how they're handled over the course of their entire lives. Marketed under the label of "natural" beef, there is a variety of products to choose from. Each producer has specific standards and definitions, however, so read the labels carefully or ask your butcher about them. These products usually cost more, but you may very well find a line of beef products that you'll want at your dinner table every time. Whatever you decide to season, slice, and devour, look for cuts with the most generous marbling. Trim off the excess outer fat. And ditch the guilt trip. We promise to put the fun back into a menu choice that has been met with a raised eyebrow in the past several years. Beef is about enjoyment. If you've ever wondered how to get there, we've got the inside scoop on how to shop for the good stuff, how to trim it up, and how to grill it to meet your expectations. From the homestead of the classic mouth-watering T-bone to the Elysian fields of garlic- and herb-crusted prime rib, there's something here for every beef lover. But don't take our word for it. Indulge!From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

_WEBER'S BIG BOOK OF GRILLING: INTRODUCTION

Steps:

• A funny thing happens when you tell people you're writing a grilling cookbook. Suddenly the conversation picks up an obvious enthusiasm. Everyone within earshot jumps in with their own grilling story--something like how they mastered a recipe "so unbelievably good" that their guests beg for the recipe, or how they happily trudged through snowdrifts in January to cook on their beloved grill.We understand. For us, grilling is much more than a cooking method. It's a sport, a hobby, a passion--dare we say, a way of life. And sharing it with fellow grillers is half the fun. We know what the first cave dwellers knew: The flame is a bonding thing. Putting this book together, we let the universal hunger for great grilling lead us. Whatever choices we made, from recipe development to writing, our first question was: Does it help the reader succeed? We wanted to create a world of grilling where the novice develops confidence and grows, the occasional griller is enlightened, the expert is challenged, and-most importantly-everyone leaves the table satisfied. To make this book work for you, start by searching out the recipes that suit your taste and comfort level. We've loaded you up with ideas from every corner of the world--including all the great standards. Along the way, we explore American grilling culture so you can learn where all the fun began and see how it has evolved (maybe you'll even find a niche where you can leave your mark--go for it!). As you work your way through the recipes, remember that attitude is as important to the experience as technique. This is not like platform diving, where the slightest error can make a terrible splash. It's more like surfing or skiing, where you definitely need a certain amount of technique but there's still a lot of room for individuality. The cooking times and temperatures are fully tested for reliability, but as you gain experience, trust your own sense of when something looks ready to turn or when the fire needs some more coals. And please, don't feel confined. If you find a certain sauce or marinade that you like, play with it. Make it your own. Owning a great recipe is almost as much fun as eating it.To help you navigate the road to great grilling, we've put up a few signposts. Special features will walk you through what you need to know to master the basic burger, prime rib roast, grilled vegetables, and much more. We pride ourselves on showing you techniques that take recipes from mediocre to magnificent. We dispel a few myths along the way, too, so check it out. And let us know about your grilling successes. Weber always enjoys a little chat over the backyard fence with fellow grillers.We've seasoned the book with a few sidebars on some of our favorite ingredients, too, for a little food history, culture, and inspiration. Forgive us if we wax poetic about fundamentals such as grilled garlic, but some of the humblest things in life deserve hero status. Once you've cooked from this book, we think you'll be a hero in your own right, too. A backyard hero. The person who can turn an ordinary day into a fun culinary romp through the Flavor Zone. So grab the tongs and apron, and let's go!Jamie Perviance, Chef/WriterSandra S. McRae, WriterFrom Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

_GRILLING GUIDE: GAME

Steps:

• Cut:Ground buffalo patty Thickness and/or Weight: 3/4 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 7 to 9 minutes (medium) Direct MediumBuffalo strip steak Thickness and/or Weight: 1 inch thick Approximate Grilling Time: 6 to 7 minutes (medium rare) Direct HighQuail, whole Thickness and/or Weight: 5 ounces Approximate Grilling Time: 15 to 20 minutes Indirect MediumSquab, whole or butterflied Thickness and/or Weight: 1 pound Approximate Grilling Time: 35 to 45 minutes Indirect MediumDuck, whole Thickness and/or Weight: 4 to 6 pounds Approximate Grilling Time: 1 1/2 to 2 hours Indirect MediumDuck breast, boneless Thickness and/or Weight: 7 to 8 ounces Approximate Grilling Time: 10 to 15 minutes Direct LowGoose, whole Thickness and/or Weight: 10 to 12 pounds Approximate Grilling Time: 3 hours Indirect MediumRack of venison Thickness and/or Weight: 2 1/2 to 3 pounds Approximate Grilling Time: 45 minutes (medium rare) Indirect MediumFrom Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

_A GRILLER'S STEAK GLOSSARY

Steps:

• Porterhouse: This hulky cut, taken from the large end of the short loin, can weigh up to 2 1?2 pounds. Be prepared to shell out some bucks for this one. Fortunately, you can feed more than one person with it--if you can convince folks to share. T-Bone: A smaller version of the porterhouse, cut from the narrow end of the short loin. Prized for its tastiness, which many believe comes in part from the bone. Strip Steak: Favored by many steak lovers, strip steaks are cut from the center of the top loin and sometimes have a long slice of bone along one side (actually the long bone of the T-bone). These steaks are known by different names in different regions. Aliases include: New York strip, Kansas City strip, shell, Delmonico, Ambassador, hotel cut, sirloin club, and top loin. Delicious by any name! Rib-Eye: Exceedingly tender and richly flavored, rib-eye is cut from the muscle behind the ribs. If it has a bone attached it's called rib steak. Give it a good sear and maybe a splash of homemade steak sauce. Don't forget the ranch-style pinto beans on the side. Filet Mignon: Pure, trimmed tenderloin, filets mignons (add an "s" to each word to make the plural) are meaty cylindrical pieces cut up to 2 inches thick. Grilling over High heat is the best way to prepare these fork-tender beauties. London Broil: Usually a flank steak but also a catchall name for any cut of meat that is broiled or grilled over Direct heat and then sliced across the grain. Sirloin: The term "sirloin steak" covers a lot of turf. The sirloin (which is also cut into roasts) is the section between the tender short loin and the tougher round. Steaks can be cut from the top or bottom portions of this section. Top sirloin steaks are more tender than bottom sirloin steaks, but a good marinating session for the latter can even out the difference. Go for top sirloin when you can afford it. Tri-Tip: This lesser-known gem is a thick, lean, triangular cut from the bottom sirloin. Some call it a roast. If you can find it, treasure it. Tri-tip is terrific grilled medium rare and sliced thin like a London broil--an outstanding choice for steak salads and sandwiches. Aliases include tip roast and sirloin bottom butt also found cut into tip steaks. Flank Steak: Cut from the lean flank and with virtually no marbling, the relatively inexpensive flank steak is best when pounded or tenderized by a high-acid marinade. Lime juice and red wine are popular ingredients. For some reason, this rather pedestrian cut often gets jazzed up in pinwheel-like beef rolls, perhaps evidence that cooks on a budget can still be pretty creative. Skirt Steak: Also cut from the flank, the thin and flat skirt steak is what makes beef fajitas so good. Grill it quickly over High heat to tenderize it and coax out its flavor. A marinade is good for it, too. Treat it right and this lean, inexpensive cut will reward you handsomely.From Weber's Big Book of Grilling. Copyright © 2001 Weber-Stephen Products Co. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.