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Cooking on the grill? Try these tips & recipes

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Learn how to grill oysters
July 2: Women take charge! Annie Copps of "Yankee" magazine shows NBC's Hoda Kotb how to cook hobo packs and shellfish.

Today Show Kitchen

6. Don’t let the boys squeeze you out — you can do this and it’s super-fun.

7. Bring ingredients to room temperature. 
They cook more quickly and evenly.

8. Don’t move proteins around too much.
If ooking steak or chicken, find the right spot and lay it down, then let it cook a few minutes before moving or turning. If you have oiled the grates, then chances are the steak or chicken won’t stick when you move it. One turn oughta do it, too.

9.  Fashion Matters.
Be careful what you wear. You want to look good, but save heavy metal cuff bracelets and watches for another day — they can heat up and most likely not burn you, but it can make things uncomfortable. Also long, dangly necklace necklaces could be a problem.

10. Please use tongs or spatulas rather than forks or knives.
Tongs will help keep things in one piece, while other utensils will poke holes in all your hard work.

And…

Think about your marinades. Marinades with sugar should be added at the end—the sugar will burn, not caramelize, if added too soon.  Any marinades with acid (citrus juice, vinegar) will “cook” protein — if you want the flavor, but not the acid, try the zest from citrus fruits and/or add such flavors towards the end of the marinating process.

More from iVillage:

Consider adding flavor to the fire with chips of dried hickory, applewood, pecan, cinnamon, rosemary…

Simple Steak

Serves 4 people

INGREDIENTS

• Vegetable oil
• 4 sirloin steaks
• Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

Heat grill to medium high. Lightly oil the grates and then let them heat up.

Season steaks on both sides with salt and pepper. Place steaks on grill and let cook about 3 minutes per side (for rare).

Grill temperatures vary (that’s part of the fun), but in general, a 1-inch thick steak will take about 3 minutes per side for rare (140 degrees). Add about 1 minute per side per half inch of steak and another minute per side for desired doneness (rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, and well).

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES


Hobo Packs

Combine your favorite vegetables and herbs (fennel, celery, carrots, thyme, rosemary) — this recipe is very forgiving.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 red pepper, cored and seeds removed, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 yellow pepper, cored and seeds removed, cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 2 yellow potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch thick rounds
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• About 3 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Place ingredients in a bowl and toss well to combine.

Stack two sheets of aluminum foil (about 18 inches long) on top of each other. Make a mound of vegetables in the center (about half).  Fold in the edges of aluminum and seal well. 

Place packs, seam side up, directly on top of the hot coals. Cook about 30 minutes.  Remove from coals, and carefully open. Serve warm.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES


CONTINUED : Try Annie's grilled vegetables or oysters
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