I’ve attended plenty of cookouts, but I’ve never been the one running the show. So it was with a fair bit of trepidation that I approached the grill solo a few days ago. Luckily for me (and for those who had to eat what I made!) my first attempt at grilling came off without a hitch. Also luckily for me, barbecue season has just begun, so I have all summer to learn how to perfect my technique. Here are a few books that I plan on turning to for inspiration this summer:
- The Cook’s Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbecue, by the editors of Cook’s Illustrated: Cook’s Illustrated rarely steers me wrong, so I’m hoping the same will be true for their volume on grilling. Recipes like Grilled Corn with Spicy Chili Butter and step-by-step instructions on kebabs put this near the top of the list of cookbooks I want to try out.
- Mediterranean Grilling, by Diane Kochilas: Mediterranean food always reminds me of summer, and there’s nothing more summery than grilling! Recipes for appetizers, fish, lamb, and other Mediterranean flavors all look fantastic.
- The Big Book of Outdoor Cooking and Entertaining: Spirited Recipes and Expert Tips for Barbecuing, Charcoal and Gas Grilling, Rotisserie Roasting, Smoking, Deep-Frying, and Making Merry, by Cheryl Alters Jamison and Bill Jamison: The title says it all– this book is big, and covers everything you need to know to throw a great party (which is what grilling is all about, right?) From burger variations to tacos to sauces, you can be pretty sure you’ve covered all your bases with this book.
Did you know our cookbooks section has a whole sub-section of books on grilling? If these books don’t strike your fancy, check out the rows of books on grilling, barbecuing, and other outdoor cooking methods in the First Floor Cookbooks area.
–Irene
Eleventh Stack 