How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs on the Grill

December 23, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

How to Cook Pork Spare Ribs on the GrillNo one can resist a plate of pork spare ribs straight from the grill. With flavors ranging from sweet to spicy, ribs are a specialty to be devoured. The key to learning how to cook pork spare ribs that everyone will love is following these 4 basic rules:

  • Take the time to perfect your marinating sauce. Any grill master will tell you that learning how to cook pork spare ribs that everyone will love take a fantastic sauce. Ditch the premade stuff from the grocery store. Try whipping up a batch of your own instead. It may take a little time (and lots of practice), but the result is well worth the effort.
  • Marinate those ribs as long as possible. Once you have perfected your marinate sauce, you will want to give the meat a chance to really soak in its flavor. This takes about 24 hours. While a shorter marinate time will not ruin your ribs; the longer marinate the better for the most flavor.
  • Cover your grill rack with aluminum foil (which you lightly oil) to keep the meat from sticking
  • Cook for about 10 minutes on each side on a medium heat.
  • Cooking up a great plate of ribs isn’t difficult. All you really need is to take some time to learn how to cook pork spare ribs on the grill for a meal no one can resist.

    How to Cook Chicken on a Gas Grill

    December 23, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    How to Cook Chicken on a Gas GrillAnyone who has ever tried to cook chicken on a gas grill knows that it isn’t as easy as it may look. Oftentimes, the breast gets done well before the other parts of the chicken, leaving you with a meal that is half overcooked or half underdone. If you want to learn how to cook chicken on a gas grill to perfection, follow these simple tips:

  • For the most flavorful chicken around, be sure to pre-rub it with a good mixture of herbs and seasonings including salt, pepper, garlic, onion, thyme and sage. Let sit in the refrigerator for several hours before cooking to allow the spices to permeate the meat.
  • Preheat grill to medium heat.
  • Begin grilling dark meat pieces first, since they will take longer to heat.
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  • Heat until the dark meat reaches 180 degrees and the breast reaches a temperature of 165 degrees.
  • A few minutes before you are ready to take your chicken piece off of the grill, baste in a rich barbeque sauce (either store-bought or handmade). This will help to seal in the chicken’s natural juices and flavor.
  • Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
  • The trick to learning how to cook chicken on a gas grill is to use a medium heat and start those dark meat pieces cooking first. That will ensure that your entire meal gets finished at the same time.

    How to Cook a Steak on a Gas Grill

    December 23, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    How to Cook a Steak on a Gas GrillSome grill snobs would make you believe that the only way to cook a great steak is on a charcoal grill with specialty wood chips to enhance the flavor. Don’t fall for this fallacy. You can learn how to cook a steak on a gas grill and get the same great flavor. All you have to do is follow these simple tips:

  • Choose your steak wisely. Do not pick a cut less than 1 ¼ inch thick (anything thinner than this will dry out); and no thicker than 1 inch (a cut thicker than this is difficult for anyone but the most experienced griller to cook properly).
  • Score, or slice your steak about every inch or so. Learning how to cook a steak on a gas grill successfully requires keeping it from curling while it is being heated.
  • Since gas grills aren’t as hot as their charcoal counterparts, it is very important to heat your grill as hot as possible before attempting to cook any type of meat – but especially steak.
  • Be sure to lightly oil the grill bars before laying your meat cut on them (otherwise you risk the steak sticking)
  • Season to taste
  • Be sure to position the steak on the hottest part of the grill, but not directly over the grilling bars since this can cause a flare-up.
  • Be sure to flip your steak every 5-8 minutes for even cooking.
  • Take off grill and then let stand for 5 minutes before serving (this will allow the juices to make their way through the steak, making it taste even more tender and delicious.
  • Taking the time to learn how to cook a steak on a gas grill is a great idea; especially if you don’t have the time or talent for charcoal grilling.

    How to Cook Steak in the Oven

    December 23, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    How to Cook Steak in the OvenFor most people, cooking steak in the oven is the fastest and easiest way to get dinneron the table. Unfortunately, few of us have ever been taught how to cook steak in the oven the right way, leaving us with dry, tough meals. To avoid making your next steak dinner taste more like shoe leather than a good cut of meat, try these simple tips:

    • Begin with the right steak. Not every steak cooks well in the oven. Some are too thin and can dry out; while others are too thick and take way too long (and too much work). For best results stick with cuts that are about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches thick and 12-16 ounces in weight.

  • Marinate for better flavor. There are plenty of ways to marinate a steak, but a little olive oil and your favorite spices will work well. Some people even use Italian salad dressing for a quick easy marinate. No need to let your steak soak overnight; a half hour is more than enough time.
  • Sear your steak for about 1 minute on each side before placing in the oven. It will make it easier to cook, plus it will give it that “grill” look on the plate.
  • Cook in a 325 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes for a perfect medium steak.
  • Never thought it could be that easy did you? Learning how to cook steak in the oven is fast, simple and oh, so tasty!

    How to Cook Ribs on the Grill

    December 23, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    How to Cook Ribs on the GrillWhen you think of ribs, does your mouth begin to water? If so, don’t rely on your favorite restaurant to satisfy your appetite. Learn how to cook ribs on the grill at home and enjoy a delicious rib dinner any night of the week.

    Not sure how to cook ribs on the grill? Here are a few pointers to get you started:

  • Know what kind of rib you are cooking. Not every rib is alike. Short ribs require a different technique than babybacks. Beef ribs are heartier than pork ribs and therefore can handle stronger sauces and herbs. Get to know the ribs you like so you will better understand how to cook them.
  • Always season your ribs with a dry rub of your favorite herbs and spices. This will help bring out the flavor of the meat. One warning here though: avoid using a sweet or honey mustard rub since it will burn before your meat is thoroughly cooked. While you can grill your ribs immediately after seasoning them, most Grill masters agree that letting them sit overnight will make them taste best.
  • It doesn’t matter whether you are using a gas grill or one that uses charcoal. The key to successful ribs is cooking them very slowly. This can mean manning the grill for as long as eight hours to get your ribs just right. That may sound like a long time to keep an eye on your ribs, but it certainly is worth it.
  • Of course, learning how to cook ribs on the grill doesn’t have to take this much thought, preparation, or time, but the end result is well worth the effort if you want ribs that taste like a pro made them.

    How to Cook Babyback Ribs in the Oven

    December 23, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    How to Cook Babyback Ribs in the Oven
    Want to learn the quickest way to cook babyback ribs in the oven? Good, because you are going to learn the simplest method there is.

  • Since ribs take a lot of time to cook and ovens tend to dry meat out, brining your ribs are very important to keeping them juicy. To brine your ribs simply place them in a container of water, salt and your preferred herbs and spices and soak them for about an hour before cooking.
  • Once your ribs have soaked thoroughly in your brine, feel free to dry rub them with whatever herbs and spices you like mixed with a little brown sugar. This will help to bring out the meat’s natural flavors.
  • Before placing your ribs in the oven be sure to braise them with a little chicken broth, white wine or even orange juice to keep them moist.
  • Now, place your ribs in a 250 degree oven for 2-4 hours, depending on how many ribs you are cooking and how tender they get.
  • A few minutes before they are ready, glaze your ribs with barbecue sauce a bit more of your braising liquid. This will help to caramelize them and make them extra tasty.
  • As you can see, learning how to cook babyback ribs in the oven is simple. This is one food that requires little prep time; allowing you to get them started and walk away until they are done. So get yourself some ribs and get started. A great dinner awaits.

    How to Cook Beef Ribs Like the Pros

    December 22, 2009 by Cooking Class  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    How to Cook Beef Ribs Like the ProsIf you have tried and failed to make mouth-watering ribs in the past, relax. You are about to learn how to cook beef ribs like a pro.

    Those who know how to make a lip-smacking rib may try to convince you that there is a big secret to their success, but there really isn’t. Learning how to cook beef ribs like an expert really only requires one thing: patience. Here are a few tips to get you started:

  • Precook your meat. Slow cooking is what makes meat tender – especially ribs. Although some people prefer to boil their ribs before grilling them; the way to make them extra tender and juicy is to cook them in a low-heat oven of about 200 degrees for 4-5 hours before grilling them.
  • Coat your ribs with your favorite barbeque sauce. There are literally thousands of variations of BBQ sauce that can be used on ribs, and finding your own winning recipe will take some time. But once you have perfected your rib sauce, be sure to coat the meat thoroughly on one side.
  • The best way to keep your ribs from falling off the bone before you want it to is to continually coating and flipping the meat during the grilling process. This helps to caramelize the sauce and keep the rib together until it is time to eat.
  • Now you know how to cook beef ribs like a pro. So, get grilling!

    How to Cook a Boneless Top Sirloin Steak

    December 13, 2009 by Firehouse Chef  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    how to cook a boneless top sirloin steakYou don’t have to pay premium prices to get a great steak. Just about any cut
    of meat can be made to satisfying perfection if you know how to prepare it.
    If you want to give your family a good sirloin, then try these simple tips designed
    to show you how to cook a boneless top sirloin steak:

  • Start with a leaner cut. Too much fat on a boneless sirloin can make it greasy.
  • Tenderize your cut using a tasty marinade
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  • Use medium heat (either a low broiling setting or medium coals on the grill) for best results
  • Do not use a lot of salt, especially when grilling. It will draw the moisture out of the meat
  • Sear each side for one minute and then grill for 10 minutes per ounce
  • Since steak will continue to cook even after it is removed from the heat, it is important when learning how to cook a boneless top sirloin steak correctly to take it out of the oven or off of the grill before it is cooked to perfection
  • Learning how to cook a boneless top sirloin steak isn’t as difficult as you might initially think. Follow these simple tips and wonder at how delicious your next steak dinner turns out.

    How to Cook a New York Strip Steak

    December 13, 2009 by Cooking Class  
    Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

    How to Cook a New York Strip SteakIf you are a steak lover, you may be wondering how to cook a New York Strip Steak in a way that rivals the masters. Here are a few tips to teach you what to without it losing its juiciness or taste:

  • Leave a little fat on your preferred cut of meat. While leaner cuts are healthiest, leaving a small amount of fat on your steak will give it extra flavor.
  • Marinate your steak. One of the most important things expert steak makers do to keep their strip steak tender is to marinate it for a few hours (or even overnight) before roasting or grilling it.
  • A major key on how to cook a New York Strip Steak correctly is to cook it slowly. It doesn’t matter whether you are grilling or roasting your steak, cooking it over slowly over a low to medium heat will help keep it juicy, tender and full of flavor.
  • No one can turn away a thick juicy steak. Learning how to cook a New York Strip Steak the right way using these simple tips will keep your friends and family coming back for more as they wonder where you learned to get a steak so perfect.

    Fall Cooking Ideas

    howcookThe fall harvest provides lots of seasonal foods for fall cooking ideas and healthy eating.

    Visit an orchard and pick your own apples to make easy applesauce recipes. Peel and core several medium size apples before slicing. Cut the slices into chunks and add to a pan filled with 1/2 cup of water. Simmer the apples for 15 minutes. Add a few sprinkles of cinnamon and sugar to taste. Some cooks prefer to use brown sugar for extra sweetness. Eat the applesauce warm or refrigerate and eat it cold.

    Toasted pumpkin seeds are another popular fall snack. Rinse pumpkin seeds thoroughly to remove the pulp. Spread out on paper towels and allow to dry overnight. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray pumpkin seeds with cooking spray or lightly toss in olive oil to coat. Season by sprinkling with salt, cayenne pepper or garlic or onion powder. Bake at 250 degrees F for approximately 1 hour. The seeds are done when golden brown. Toss every 15 minutes during baking.

    Butternut squash is low in calories. You can prepare it whole or sliced. Cook over high heat in a vegetable steamer until tender. Because squash is packed full of nutrients, steaming helps maintain its nutritional value.

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