Serves: 5
In the Beginning, there was Fire. And it was good. Then Meat hit the Fire. And it was better. Then Barbecue Sauce was invented and lo, there was much rejoicing among the People, as the food was much improved. And the heavens did smile upon the gathering and the sauce did coat every finger and smite every trace of boredom and sorrow.
Since then, things have only gotten more interesting. If you are among the Enlightened, you know what we're talking about. There's something about grilling that draws us back to Paradise and sets the world right again. It's more than a cooking method, it's a belief system. For some, it's a calling. And yet grilling doesn't require us to take any leaps of faith or make any sacrifices. A hedonist religion? Well, only in that it indulges the senses. But grilling is more than that. It's a way to gather family and friends for two things that really matter: fellowship and nourishment. The fringe benefits aren't bad, either.
There's the smell of the smoke, a sensory trigger that awakens a certain Promethean pride in us. The sound of the sizzle satisfies and intensifies our anticipation at the same time. And the hypnotic appeal of the fire stirs the hearth-builder within.
When all these elements come together--especially on a warm summer evening with the background sounds of sprinklers going, children laughing, and dogs barking--it's like a slice of salvation. The tensions of life seem to melt off your shoulders. Who cares about the dry patches in the lawn or the bills in the mail? The hassle and headache of everyday demands just…disappear.
Some folks get a taste of grilling and are instant converts. We're the ones who don't think twice about shoveling a way through the snow to the grill. From big to small, we grill it all. Prime rib? No problem. Rotisserie-grilled chicken? We can do that. From Mediterranean lamb to Hawaiian pork, our kabobs rule. Our faith is a torch that flares with enthusiasm every time we come across the next great grilling recipe. We're not afraid to take on a challenge-and spend hours concocting sauces to slather on it.
Other folks are slow to answer the call. We're the ones who've only enjoyed a casual brush with the grill at barbecues or on camping trips. We mean to get our act together and start following The Path. But other things get in the way. There are reports to turn in, soccer games to ref, and garages to paint….
Then, one day, a revelation. Food tastes better when it's grilled! Why have we been denying ourselves this simple Truth? Timid at first, we make weekend attempts at the easy stuff such as burgers and chicken. Emboldened by early success, we trying grilling on a weeknight. We start to experiment with recipes. A passion is born. Suddenly we find ourselves sizing everything up to see if it's grillable. The stovetop gathers dust. We count our successes as blessings: a perfectly seared steak here, a moist and delicious pork chop there. Triumph! The neighbors go crazy from the tempting smells of dinner at our house. Our redemption is at hand.
If you have seen the Light, follow us through this wondrous and rewarding maze of flavors and textures. If you've been moved by the spirit of grilling but are unsure of how to proceed, read on. We can show you a better way. When you see how simple and fun grilling can be--and how much your quality of life can be improved by doing homage to the flame--you may have steamed your last asparagus spear, baked your last pork roast forever. If you're skeptical, there are plenty of small steps to take along the way to build your faith. If you want the full, glorious taste-bud rapture, give in to the grill. You won't be sorry. You may be saved.
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.
This 01-The Grilling Gospel According To Weber recipe is from the Weber's Big Book of Grilling Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
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