Mastering the Grill: The Owner's Manual for Outdoor Cooking

  Author:    David Joachim, Andrew Schloss
  ISBN:    0811849643
  Sales Rank:    9731
  Published:    2007-04-02
  Publisher:    Chronicle Books
  # Pages:    416
  Binding:    Paperback
  Avg. Rating:    5.0 based on 12 reviews
  Used Offers:    9 from $9.89
  Amazon Price:    $16.47
  (Data above last updated:  2008-07-26 00:32:39 EST)
  
  
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Mastering the Grill: The Owner's Manual for Outdoor Cooking
  
Grilling is a science, and it's only when you understand the science of grilling that you can transform it into an art. That's what makes Mastering the Grill a standout on the cookbook shelf. From equipment (grill types and tools) to fire (wood, charcoal, or gas) to ingredients (meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables), the authors have shared their impressive grilling know-how to explain the whys and the hows and guarantee the wows clearly and comprehensively. In addition to hundreds of tips and techniques, this ultimate guide is packed with how-to illustrations and mouthwatering photographs plus 350 surefire recipes everything from rubs and marinades to appetizers, entrees, side dishes, and desserts. Mastering the Grill is a master class in cooking, destined to become a sauce-stained, well-thumbed classic.
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 9 of 9                 
  
  
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07-19-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Mastering the Grill
Reviewer Permalink
I was very pleased with the service and the delivery of my order! It was processed in a timely manner!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-26 00:35:59 EST)
06-07-08 5 10\12
(Hide Review...)  A Griller's Handbook
Reviewer Permalink
Do you enjoy using a grill? Or do you aspire to begin grilling? Want to expand your storehouse of grilling recipes? If yes to any of those questions, this book is a treasure. It is massive and a bit unwieldy, but its contents make up for that. I first learned of this book when the authors were guests on the Food Networks "Emeril Live." Emeril introduced the two authors and then proceeded with an hour of grilling. After that, I felt the need to acquire this volume.

The upfront stuff, in some ways, is really important. I sort of bumble along on my gas grill, learning by doing, using recipes that I like, experimenting on different ways of cooking. But I really only know a handful of ideas and techniques (Including some simple maxims as some things need to be cooked on the side without flame; others are to be cooked directly over the flame). The authors assert that there is something unique about this book (Page 10): "In this book, we approach the grill from the perspective of science and mechanics. Our goal is to impart an understanding of what occurs during grilling, so that you can make better-tasting grilled food."

Introductory sections in Chapter 1 discuss the type of grills that can be used (from hibachis to gas grills and so on), how grills work, grill cleaning and maintenance (oops; I learned that I should do a better job cleaning the grill grates), requisite grill tools (I have a bunch, but could probably add some additional items, based on their discussion).

Chapter 2? "Mastering Your Technique." This explores what I always thought of as exotica, mastering the fire, the science of heat transference (conduction, convection, and radiant heat), grilling techniques (e.g., indirect versus direct grilling, and so on), and mastering temperature (judging doneness and making sure that one let's what is grilled "rest" at the end). Resting? Goodness. I take the food right off the grill and on to my family's/guests' plates. Not good! Grilled food (and other typed of cooked foods) should rest a bit, so that you don't get parts that are too dry. I am now trying to be a batter cook and let the meat thus cooked "rest" for 5-10 minutes.

Chapter 3 looks at the different foods that you can grill and a boatload of information about each.

Finally, the piece de resistance! Recipes! There are a lot of these; the text notes about 300 of them. They are divided into sections on burgers and their like; steaks and chops; roasts, ribs, and slow food; major, complex cooking projects; vegetables and side dishes; fruit, dessert, etc.; marinades, glazes, rubs, and the like.

The one downside of a number of recipes is that they take a great deal of upfront work and are complex. I prefer interesting but simpler recipes. However, for those who want to experiment, there are plenty of opportunities to do so with the recipes in this book. A few quick examples of recipes.

Buffalo blue cheese burger: Based on hot Buffalo wings. I'm interested, since I used to enjoy visiting the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, home of the chicken wing! Create a hamburger by mixing together ground chuck, celery seed, onion, garlic, blue cheese in a bowl. Then, separately, melt butter and mix in hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco Sauce). Put the hamburger patties created from the hamburger mix on greased grill grate. Cook. Put burgers in the hot sauce, coat, and eat with knife and fork (although I might be inclined to put the resulting burger in a nice Kaiser roll!).

With steaks, there is a nice looking recipe for Porterhouse au poivre that captured my interest. Or Tandoori chicken with Vidalia chutney (a little more complicated than I'd like, but boy does it sound yummy!), grilled summer vegetables with brown-butter vinaigrette, grilled maple-crusted apple rings. . . .

This is a terrific resource for those who want to go beyond simple grilling without really knowing what you are doing (that's been me!). Some of the recipes are over the top, I think, but these will doubtless appeal to some who are likely to be rewarded for their efforts. Worth a look!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-19 10:40:58 EST)
06-07-08 5 10\12
(Hide Review...)  A Griller's Handbook
Reviewer Permalink
Do you enjoy using a grill? Or do you aspire to begin grilling? Want to expand your storehouse of grilling recipes? If yes to any of those questions, this book is a treasure. It is massive and a bit unwieldy, but its contents make up for that. I first learned of this book when the authors were guests on the Food Networks "Emeril Live." Emeril introduced the two authors and then proceed with an hour of grilling. After that, I felt the need to acquire this volume.

The upfront stuff, in some ways, is really important. I sort of bumble along on my gas grill, learning by doing, using recipes that I like, experimenting on different ways of cooking. But I really only know a handful of ideas and techniques (Including some simply maxims as some things need to be cooked on the side without flame; others are to be cooked directly over the flame). The authors assert that there is something unique about this book (Page 10): "In this book, we approach the grill from the perspective of science and mechanics. Our goal is to impart an understanding of what occurs during grilling, so that you can make better-tasting grilled food."

Introductory sections in Chapter 1 discuss the type of grills that can be used (from hibachis to gas grills and so on), how grills work, grill cleaning and maintenance (oops; I learned that I should do a better job cleaning the grill grates), requisite grill tools (I have a bunch, but could probably add some additional items, based on their discussion).

Chapter 2? "Mastering Your Technique." This explores what I always thought of as exotica, mastering the fire, the science of heat transference (conduction, convection, and radiant heat), grilling techniques (e.g., indirect versus direct grilling, and so on), and mastering temperature (judging doneness and making sure that one let's what is grilled "rest" at the end). Resting? Goodness. I take the food right off the grill and on to my family's/guests' plates. Not good! Grilled food (and other typed of cooked foods) should rest a bit, so that you don't get parts that are too dry.

Chapter 3 looks at the different foods that you can grill and a boatload of information about each.

Finally, the piece de resistance! Recipes! There are a lot of these; the text notes about 300 of them. They are divided into sections on burgers and their like; steaks and chops; roasts, ribs, and slow food; major, complex cooking projects; vegetables and side dishes; fruit, dessert, etc.; marinades, glazes, rubs, and the like.

The one downside of a number of recipes is that they take a great deal of upfront work and are complex. I prefer interesting but simpler recipes. However, for those who want to experiment, there are plenty of opportunities to do so with the recipes in this book. A few quick examples of recipes.

Buffalo blue cheese burger: Based on hot Buffalo wings. I'm interested, since I used to enjoy visiting the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, home of the chicken wing! Create a hamburger by mixing together ground chuck, celery seed, onion, garlic, blue cheese in a bowl. Then, separately, melt butter and mix in hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco Sauce). Put the hamburger patties created from the hamburger mix on greased grill grate. Cook. Put burgers in the hot sauce, coat, and eat with knife and fork (although I might be inclined to put the resulting burger in a nice Kaiser roll!).

With steaks, there is a nice looking recipe for Porterhouse au poivre that captured my interest. Or Tandoori chicken with Vidalia chutney (a little more complicated than I'd like, but boy does it sound yummy!), grilled summer vegetables with brown-butter vinaigrette, grilled maple-crusted apple rings. . . .

This is a terrific resource for those who want to go beyond simple grilling without really knowing what you are doing (that's been me!). Some of the recipes are over the top, I think, but these will doubtless appeal to some who are likely to be rewarded for their efforts. Worth a look!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-22 00:35:14 EST)
06-03-08 4 1\1
(Hide Review...)  Good cookbook with both science and recipes
Reviewer Permalink
I read this book like I read most cookbooks: I consider them to be guidelines or inspirations for flavor combinations. This book provides a good introduction to the science of grilling as well as over 500 recipes. Honestly, I'll never make one of the recipes exactly as written but they inspire some good ideas. There's a whole section on rubs, brines and marinates which is very usefull. On the other hand, I dont need 30 hamburger recipes.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-08 00:34:40 EST)
02-08-08 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  barbecuers bible
Reviewer Permalink
I found this book to be loaded with helpful information.Everything you ever want to know about barbeque is in Mastering The grill.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-06-04 00:34:17 EST)
07-28-07 5 (NA)
(Hide Review...)  Great tasting new ideas - not always for the meat eater
Reviewer Permalink
I got this book for my boyfriend who loves to grill (lots of meat). He picks it up about every other day just to look at it again. The recipes are not always easy (lots of spices and other ingredients) but they taste great. He has been very happy with the book. It is also great for me, being that I am a vegetarian. We have found great recipes that we can both enjoy!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-09-07 10:36:47 EST)
07-06-07 5 3\3
(Hide Review...)  The only grilling book you'll ever need
Reviewer Permalink
I never grilled before, and really wanted to learn. By chance, I heard one of the authors on the WHYY radio show, A Chef's Table. What I heard from the author on that show impressed me, and so I got the book two days before July 4th.

This book is as thorough and consistent as an academic textbook. Recipes are detailed, consistently presented, and are appropriate for gas or charcoal grills. There are useful how-to's scattered throughout the book (such as "How to butterfly meat") that are invaluable to a novice like me.
At the start of the book is an expansive section on all the different cuts of meat and their properties, and the chemistry behind grilling.

Over the course of 3 days, I tried 10 of the recipes, and they were all huge hits. The burger recipes were amazing and especially simple to prepare. This book has a good mix of grilling 'staples', like burgers, wings, and steaks, as well as some great exotic dishes, such as vietnamese pork lettuce wraps and tandoori chicken.

This is the best cookbook I've ever bought. Do your guests a favor and pick up a copy!
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-29 02:18:47 EST)
06-18-07 5 6\7
(Hide Review...)  Fantastic Book - Should come standard with every Grill
Reviewer Permalink
It opens with a great educational section that breaks down EVERYTHING pertaining to outdoor grilling. From various meats, what each cut is good for.. how to prepare each cut (for all major meat types..seafood, beef, pork, poultry, and even veggies/fruits)....... spices (what works with what and why).... technical information on types of grills and ways to get the most performance out of your grill.

THEN it dives into the recipes. Each of the 300+ recipes is very well laid out with detailed instructions on how to use each type of grill (gas, charcoal, or open fire/smoker) including details like how to arrange coals, where to position meat, etc. It not only tells you how to prepare each dish, but explains in clear easy-to-understand language why things are done the way they are...often down to scientific levels discussion protein chains and whatnot. Very educational.

The recipes themselves are remarkably diverse.. they include gorgeous full color photos of many of the dishes. They have sections on beef, poultry, seafood, pork, veggies, desserts...etc.... plus a large section loaded with dozens of various rubs, marinades, brines,etc that are used within the book (always clearly referenced within a recipe).

Can't recommend it highly enough for everyone from the casual griller to even more hardcore folks.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-07-07 08:51:34 EST)
05-17-07 5 11\13
(Hide Review...)  Aid to Wiping Out Grilling Illiteracy (And Burnt Food!)
Reviewer Permalink
Grilling is a difficult cooking method to do consistently well. The authors know that and so offer this help to all of us who want to master the art and science.

In this regard, they provide over 300 exotic and flavor packed recipes and tons of hints and aids to understanding how to make these recipes turn out highlights of a dining experience.

They include thorough and easy to understand principles of equipment, methods and techniques. The style of presentation is unique, with its vertical bar layout of different headings allowing one to quickly target the eye where it needs to be. Also, so helpful is there different grill requirements for each method used, e.g. wood, gas, charcoal, etc.

Feast your grills and fire 'em up for the likes of: Turkey Fajitas with Guacamole Vinaigrette; Ancho Turkey Breast Stuffed with Corn and Black Beans; Fire Roasted Pumpkin Filled with Wild Mushroom Risotto and mascarpone (this comes from super, unique section entitled appropriately: "Mastering the Big Kahuna and Other Incredible Grill Projects" including hole pg, turkey, suckling pig, etc.); Grilled Corn with Spicy Tomato Butter; Smoke Roasted Bell Peppers with Garden Vegetables; Grilled Papaya with Sweet Saffron Butter and Lime Macsarpone Cream; Mixed Grill (game hens, duck breast, sausage) with Fennel and Figs; Lemon Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Seafood.

Beautifully done with wonderful color photos to use or give as gift for the master already of the grill or the master griller in waiting.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-06-19 13:29:54 EST)
  
                  Reader Reviews 1 - 9 of 9                 
  
  
  
  
  
  

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