Grilling in the great outdoors

There are many wonderful things that accompany the warm and sunny days of summer, none more so than the opportunity to barbecue outdoors among friends and family and enjoy the comraderie, good food and heavenly aromas wafting from the grill. Here is a collection of tips and recipes to make your summertime barbecues that much better.

BEEF

Steaks on the grill
There are two categories of steak cuts suitable for grilling: tender grilling steaks and less-tender marinating steaks.
• Grilling steaks and the smaller grilling medallions are ready to cook right away, although you may want to marinate or coat them with a rub for flavour.
• Marinating steaks and marinating medallions need 12 to 24 hours in an acid-based mixture to tenderize them. Grill marinating steaks until rare or medium-rare; beyond medium doneness they become tough.

Beef recipes:
• Balsamic Sirloin Medallions
• Barbecued Flank Steak
• Barbecued Roast Sirloin on a Bun
• Beef Steak with Sesame Oil
• Eye of Round with Mustard Aioli
• Five-Spice Round Steak
• Grainy Mustard Grilled Strip Loin
• Grilled Garlic Pepper Steak
• Grilled Rib Eye Steaks with Ginger Butter
• Grilled Strip Loins with Onion Rings
• Grilled T-Bone Steak with Barbecue Sauce
• Oregano Beef Koftas
• Peppercorn-Crusted Steak
• Peppercorn Thyme T-Bones
• Pesto Beef Kabobs
• Pesto Onion Steak Sandwiches
• Red Wine Marinated Steak
• Sirloin with Roasted Garlic Topping
• Steak and Pepper Kabobs with Spiced Tomato Sauce

HAMBURGERS

Perfect patties
• Since fat drains off while burgers are grilling, you can use medium ground beef for juicy, flavourful hamburgers.
• Burgers need only gentle shaping when being formed. Overmixing and too much pressing and patting make tough, dry hamburgers.
• Patties hold together better if chilled for 1 hour before cooking. You can make and refrigerate them up to 2 hours ahead.
• Turn patties only once. Don't press or flatten with spatula during cooking because this forces out juices.
• The best way to ensure that burgers are cooked through -- and safe to eat -- is to check their internal temperature. A digital instant-read thermometer is essential for accuracy. To check, remove one burger from heat; immediately insert thermometer horizontally and leave for at least 30 seconds before reading temperature. Ground beef is cooked at 160°F (71°C).

Hamburger recipes:
• Cheddar Onion Burgers
• Fajita Burgers
• Gourmet Gorgonzola Burgers
• Horseradish Burgers
• Hot Asian Burgers
• Juicy Herb Burger
• Meat Loaf Burgers
• Mediterranean Burgers
• Onion Dijon Burgers
• Rebel House Buffalo Burger
• Salsa Burgers
• Smoky Barbecue Burgers
• Tasty Extra-Lean Burgers