Tag: main course
Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Grilled Baby Back Ribs
You definitely can say that making ribs is my thing. I’m more of a fan of spare ribs, but when I see a nice rack of baby backs, it’s hard to pass up. These were quite meaty being a 3lbs rack and needed to be mine. I typically do everything but straight up traditional bbq ribs, but I felt now was a good time to demonstrate how to do a simple version of ribs on the grill.There are a few things to know when making grilled bbq ribs. First, there is a membrane on the bottom side of the rack. Some people like it removed; others don’t care. Ask your butcher to remove it for you if you desire it off. Second, it is easier to handle half racks of ribs instead of full racks. So cut the ribs in half unless you’re looking for a full rack presentation. Lastly, use your favorite dry rub and bbq sauce. You know what you like. I used a rib dry rub that my girlfriend Val prefers on pork. She also made the homemade bbq sauce for this recipe. If you don’t have a particular dry rub that you like, I recommend salt, pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, and a little cayenne pepper if you like spice.The type of charcoal you use makes a difference. While I like using hardwood charcoal for flavor, it burns fast and more will need to be added since these ribs take more than an hour to grill. For these ribs, I used charcoal briquettes. They burn hotter and will last the whole rib grilling process. For the majority of the time, the ribs will be cooked indirectly. After they’re seared, it’s a low and slow process. A 3lbs rack will take at least an hour to grill; flipping every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking; plus at least 15 more minutes of grilling with the bbq sauce on.
Equipment
- chimney starter
- charcoal
- charcoal grill
- brush
Ingredients
- 1 rack baby back ribs about 3lbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup rib rub
- bbq sauce
Instructions
- Rub your ribs with olive oil. Aggressively season with your favorite rib rub. Let rest for 2 hours.
- Start your charcoal in a chimney starter until they are grey. Pour them on one side of the grill in a single layer. Place the grate on the grill. Brown the ribs on the top side for 8-10 minutes with the cover on the grill.
- Flip them over and brown 8-10 minutes on the other side with the cover on.
- Move the ribs to the outer edge of the charcoal. Grill for 40 minutes, flipping every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Brush on bbq sauce and grill for 10 minutes with the cover on.
- Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before cutting in between the bones.
Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder
Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder
On the East Coast, a grinder is a sandwich on Italian hoagie rolls with hot ingredients instead of cold cuts; with cheese and Italian salad on it. My sandwich is reminiscent of the old MN state fair grinder stall that serve meatballs, sauce, and cheese stuffed into hollowed out Italian bread; instead of slicing the bread in half.
Ingredients
- hoagie buns
- mozzarella cheese shredded
Meatballs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or 50/50 ground beef and pork
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 6 garlic cloves minded
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper optional
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 16 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup basil chopped
- 2 tbsp oregano chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all of the meatball ingredients together.
- Roll into mini meatballs about the size of a cherry.
- Add olive to a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the pan.
- Add in another 2 tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the onions for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Deglaze the pan with the red wine. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
- Add the meatballs into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes.
Sandwich Assembly
- Cut each of the hoagie buns in half. Hollow out the inside, making sure not to tear open the outside.
- Place one of the halves in a pint glass to hold it upright. Put a small pinch of mozzarella in the bottom.
- Place 2 meatballs and some sauce on the bottom.
- Repeat this layering process 2 more times so there’s a total of 6 meatballs in the sandwich.
- Place some mozzarella cheese on top.
Venison Burger with Fried Duck Egg
Spread garlic aioli on both sides of the bun. Top with the burger and fried duck egg.
Grilled Pork and Shrimp Fajitas
Grilled Pork and Shrimp Fajitas
When you get fajitas at a restaurant, they will typically be served to you on a sizzling cast iron skillet with all of the ingredients mixed together. While there is nothing wrong with this preparation, I prefer to grill all of the ingredients in my fajitas individually and sliced them after they’ve been cooked. It might take a little more time to prepare, but I like the flavor of the charcoal grilled fajitas more than a cast iron skillet; plus the presentation of having each of the ingredients sliced to build your own looks nicer in my opinion.
Servings: 4
Equipment
- metal skewers
- charcoal
- chimney starter
- charcoal grill
Ingredients
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 1 large green bell pepper
- 4 jalapeños
- 1 bunch green onions
- 1 medium white onion sliced 1/4” thick
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 flour tortillas
Pork Skewers
- 1 lb pork tenderloin cut into 2” pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Shrimp Skewers
- 1 lb 16/20 ct. peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Marinate the pork and shrimp in their marinades for 30 minutes. Place on metal skewers.
- Turn the charcoal gray in the chimney starter and pour in the grill. Place on the grate. Brush all of the vegetables with olive oil and place directly over the charcoal. Grill until all sides are slightly charred; about 10-12 minutes. Move off to the side and place the skewers over the charcoal. The pork will take about 5-6 minutes a side; the shrimp 2-3 minutes a side.
- Place the tortillas on the grate and cook 30 seconds-1 minute a side.
- Slice all the vegetables into strips. Take the pork off the skewers and slice into thin pieces.
