The craving for backyard barbecue can strike at any time, even in the dead of winter. But with all that nasty weather raining down on your waterproof tarp and patio furniture cover? You’re not exactly in the position to pull off the grill covers and throw some burgers on the backyard griddle or grill. The solution to this dinner-time dilemma? Indoor barbie.
Casting Call
In order to properly pull off an evening of indoor grilling, you’ll need the right tools on hand. Recreating the unique flavours and textures provided by a barbecue grill may seem like a challenge, but there are a number of substitutes you can utilize to achieve that char-grilled finish.
Cast iron grill pans are your best option for indoor grilling. The seasonings and spices embedded in a well-used cast iron pan will give savory, hearty flavour to the meat of your choosing with little to no effort on your part.
Keep It Covered
Using a seasoned cast iron grill pan is only one part of the indoor grilling equation. You’ll also want to recreate the all the smoky goodness of an outdoor grill by covering your pan and trapping the smoke.
A dedicated cover will help the smoky aromatics soak into the meat as well as keep your kitchen free of pesky smoke. Only lift the cover to flip your steak or burger in order to get the most out of the smoke show.
Cut to the Chase
Selecting the right cut of meat is crucial for a successful grilling session. While it may seem logical to toss on the heartiest cut from the butcher in your pan, barbecue aficionados recommend steering clear of fatty meats that will produce excess smoke.
Ask your butcher for leaner cuts of beef, pork, and lamb. Not only will a less fatty cut reduce smoke, it’s the healthier choice for you and your family to enjoy on a chilly winter evening.
Branch Out
Indoor grilling is a unique culinary experience, so why not grill up some non-traditional meals to match? Think outside the smoking box with options including chicken breasts, vegetable dishes, and seafoods like shrimp or fish fillets.
Mark Master
One of the simplest ways to add summer cookout vibes to your winter cook-in is by creating grill marks on your cut of choice. Heat up a non-oiled cast iron grill pan for 10 minutes on medium-to-high heat. It takes that long for cast iron cookware to heat up thoroughly as the heat is not evenly distributed in cast iron. Place the meat on the griddle.
Depending on the thickness of the cut you’re cooking, after 1-2 minutes, turn the meat from 10:00 to 2:00 and let sit for another 2 mins. Flip and repeat. The result will be perfectly even grill marks that look like they were just seared in the backyard next to your patio furniture cover.
After your final flip, let it cook to the desired temperature and then remove. Once the food has been cooked, place on a plate and cover.
Chop, Chop!
If you’re looking for a simple starter meal for indoor grilling, pork chops are a fantastic option that can be seasoned and grilled to perfection. For these ‘chops, you’ll need:
- 4 – 11.43cm thick pork chops
- 2.22 tbsp. olive oil
- .74 tbsp. paprika
- .74 tsp. ground ginger
- .99 tsp. ground coriander
- .49 tsp. ground cumin
- .74 tsp. salt
- .49 tsp. pepper
Heat your grill pan to medium-high. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Mix oil, paprika, ginger, coriander, and cumin and rub pork chops with the mixture, making sure to fully coat.
Place a cover on the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip. Cook for another 4-5 minutes or until they reach 62.7 C. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Side Story
Of course, a grilled meal isn’t complete without a side. Embrace the hearty flavours of winter with a side of grilled squash that will please the whole family. Start with:
- 2.22 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2.19 teaspoon salt
- 2.19 teaspoon pepper
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1.27-cm slices
Combine olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Coat squash with the mixture using a brush. Grill squash in cast iron pan on medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side.
Stay Saucy
There are plenty of savory sauces recipes available for you to utilize for your indoor grilling session. No matter how many you choose to whip up, be sure to have a classic BBQ sauce in the menagerie. For this, you’ll need:
- 1.42 l brown sugar
- 1.42 l ketchup
- .47 l red wine vinegar
- .47 l water
- .74 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1.85 tablespoons dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1.48 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 dashes hot pepper sauce
Add brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, and Worcestershire sauce to a blender. Add mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and hot sauce and mix until smooth. The result will be a thick sauce that’s savory, sweet, and spicy all at once.
Kitchen Safety Smarts
Grilling indoors may pose less safety risks than throwing a charcoal grill cookout next to your custom covers, but that’s no excuse for neglecting safety in the kitchen.
Make sure to have your stove fan running for the entirety of your indoor grilling session. There won’t be as much smoke accumulating as there would be with an open flame, but even a small amount of smoke can cause lung and eye irritation.
As always, have a fire extinguisher at the ready to take care of the rare but still possible kitchen fire. Much like a waterproof tarp in wet weather, these precautions make a huge difference in staying safe.
Recent Comments