 | Brian Bulot is manager of G&W Foods in Girard and has been in the Grocery Retail business for 27 years. For more information please call 620-724-4411. |
Food & Drink
2013-01-02 15:12:05
How can you get outdoor grilling taste while grilling indoors?
Q-I love to grill and would grill outdoors all year long, if it were possible. Knowing this, for Christmas my wife bought me a high-end indoor countertop grill. Do you have any suggestions on the best ways to come close to achieving that distinctive outdoor flavor?
A-Well, in the world of barbeque, you have hit on a very divisive topic! There are those who feel you can get that wonderfully delicious grill flavor on an indoor grill, and those who are adamant that you cannot. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. I think that each offers its own unique benefits that cannot be replicated completely. I celebrate the differences and just go on grilling!
Since you are looking to add outdoor flavor, let's talk about some simple techniques for achieving the best results.
First, you will want to start with a grill that has deep grooves or one where the fat and juices drain away well. One of the pitfalls of most indoor grills is that the liquid stays too close to the meat and ends up steaming the cut rather than grilling it. Just like on the outdoor grill, you will want to get the grill hot before you place the meat on it.
Next, you will want to use a few tricks to get the smoked flavor. There are a number of ways you can do this. One way is to use smoked bacon. You can use the grill to cook the bacon and smear the meat with bacon fat before you put it on the grill. Either way it will pick up the smoked flavor.
Another option in getting the smoky flavor is using a smoking gun. Before you grill the meat, place the meat in a lidded pot. Direct smoke into the pot and close the lid. Let the meat sit covered for awhile, and voila!
Spices and flavorings also work well in helping get a smoky flavor. You can try a smoked paprika, smoked sea salt, or even liquid smoke.
Whatever you try, keep in mind that since the tools are different, you will not get the exact same results. However, you can get delicious results, and that is really what matters most. So, enjoy that indoor grill and let me know your results!
