Handy Hints for
Barbecue Grilling:
· Be organised: have everything you need ready and at hand
before you start grilling - Go through your food plan; think food
ingredients, marinades, seasonings, equipment and tools. Cover
food to protect against flies and sun.
· Don't use a fork and never stab the food when turningit
is best to use a pair of tongs to grip and turn. When you stab
the meat with a fork, you will allow tasty juices to drain away
into the fire which then can spit and develop aggressive flames.
· Food cooks faster under a covered grill
· You don't need to marinate tender cuts of meat overnight;
they can be marinated in as little as 15 minutes! Less tender
meats need to be marinated at least 6 hours.
· If using wooden skewers, soak in water thirty minutes
before using so ends won't burn during grilling time.
Grilled Artichoke and Spinach Dip with Pita Wedges
Thanks to Weber
barbecues
This irresistible creamy
dip from the Weber Grill Restaurant is equally at home at an elegant
cocktail party or a Super Bowl bash.
For the dip:
2 14-ounce cans artichoke hearts, drained
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
Salt and pepper
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 shallots, chopped
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 pounds frozen chopped spinach, well drained
1 pint heavy cream
1 pint sour cream
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
For the pita:
8 pita rounds
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
To make the dip: Drain artichoke hearts and place on skewers.
Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over
Direct Medium heat until golden brown, about 6 minutes, turning
once halfway through grilling time.
In a large sauté
pan, sauté garlic, shallot, and onion in remaining olive
oil. Rough chop the artichokes and add to garlic mixture. Add
the spinach. Fold in cream, sour cream, and 1 cup of the cheese.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place in fireproof dish
or heavy-duty aluminum pan and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons
of Parmesan cheese. Grill over Indirect Medium heat for 20 to
25 minutes until dip is heated through.
To make the pita: Brush
pita rounds with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill
briefly over Direct heat to warm, about 1 to 2 minutes. Cut into
wedges.
Garnish the dip with
sour cream and chopped fresh tomato, if desired. Serve with the
pita wedges.
Makes 12 servings