Turn Your Grill Into A Smoker!

Be sure to soak wood chips in water for 30 - 60 minutesbefore putting on the grill.

When using gas grills it’s best to put presoaked wood chips in asmoker box or wrap them in a piece of aluminum foil with a lot ofholes in it. This keeps your grill from filling up with ash and cloggingthe jets. If you are using a charcoal grill or smoker then you canjust put the wood directly on the coals (once they’ve heated up).

If you haven’t used wood before, start small. Use a 1/4 cup ofpresoaked chips on your grill and see what is does for you. One ofthe great things about barbecue is the wide variety of experimentationavailable to the backyard cook. Wood is a great tool so don’t beafraid to use it.

You can make a homemade smoker box by using a tin can. Pokesome holes in the can, then open the lid not quite all the way andfill with wood chips that have been soaked in water for an hour.Position the can on the coals before grilling. Wait a little bit untilthe wood starts smoking, and commence with grilling.

Marinated Steak Kabobs

1 cup Onion, chopped
1/2 cup Vegetable oil
1/2 cup Lemon juice
1/4 cup Soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcesteshire sauce
1 teaspoon Mustard, prepared
1 pound Sirloin steak, cut in 2"cubes
1 large Green pepper, cut in 1"pieces
2 medium Onions, quartered
2 medium Tomatoes, quartered

Saute onion in oil; remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice, soy sauce,Worcestershire sauce, and mustard; pour over meat and vegetables.Cover and marinate overnight in refrigerator. Remove meat andvegetables from marinade, reserving marinade. Alternate meat andvegetables on skewers. Prepare fire in grill. Grill kabobs 5 minutes on each side over coalsor until desired degree of doneness, brushing frequently with marinade.

Pineapple Baby Back Ribs

3 cups pineapple juice
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons mustard powder
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground ginger
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (2 pound) slab baby back pork ribs
1 (12 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce

In a large glass bowl or dish, stir together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, mustard powder, ketchup, red wine vinegar, lemon juice and soy sauce. Mix in the cloves, ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper. Cut ribs into serving size pieces and place into the marinade. Cover and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for 8 hours or overnight. Preheat oven the oven to 275F. Place ribs into a 9x13 inch baking dish, and cover with marinade. Cook for 1 1/2 hours, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat. Cook ribs on the grill for about 15 to 20 minutes, basting with barbecue sauce, and turning frequently.

Chicken Marinade

1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons prepared coarse-ground mustard
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons olive oil
ground black pepper to taste
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

In a large, nonreactive container, thoroughly mix cider vinegar, whole grain mustard, garlic, lime juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, and salt. Whisk in olive oil and pepper. Place chicken in the mixture. Cover, and marinate chicken in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil grate. Place chicken on the prepared grill, and cook 10 minutes per side, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Discard remaining marinade.

Super Burgers

2 lbs. ground beef
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
3/4 cup Burgundy wine
1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
2 teaspoons onion salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 hamburger buns

Mix together first 9 ingredients. Shape into 8 patties. Broil or grill 4-5 inches from heat 5 minutes on each side, or until desired degree of doneness. Serve in hamburger buns with sliced tomatoes and onions.

Grilled Pound Cake

3/4 cup dried sour cherries
1 cup boiling water
5 tablespoons brandy
1-1/2 pints vanilla ice cream, softened slightly
4-1/2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate, coarsley chopped
1/3 cup pecans, toasted and coarsley chopped
16-oz. loaf pound cake, cut into 16 1/2-inch slices
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Place cherries in medium bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over cherries; let stand until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Mix cherries and 1 Tbsp. brandy in small bowl. Place ice cream in large bowl; mix in cherries, semisweet chocolate and pecans; cover and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.

Prepare barbecue grill; heat to medium. Brush both sides of each cake slice with melted butter. Grill slices until lightly toasted, about 30 seconds per side. Place 2 slices of cake on each dessert plate. Place 1 scoop ice cream on top of cake slices. Drizzle 1-1/2 tsp. brandy over each serving.

Garlic Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 cup picante sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
additional picante sauce

Place each chicken breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Flatten chicken to 1/4-inch thickness, using a meat mallet; cut into 1-inch pieces. Place in a shallow container. Combine next 7 ingredients, mixing well. Pour over chicken; cover and chill 1-2 hours. Thread chicken onto skewers; cook over hot coals 6-8 minutes or until done, turning occasionally and basting with remaining marinade. Serve with additional picante sauce.

Oven BBQ Ribs

3 lbs pork back ribs
1 (8 ounce) jar honey
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 medium onion, grated or finely chopped
12 ounces barbecue sauce
1/4 cup white sugar

Place all ingredients together in large roasting pan. Cut ribs apart for easier serving. Mix together making sure to coat all ribs with this semi-dry paste. Spread ribs out evenly on bottom of pan. Cover lightly with foil. Bake at 375F for approximately 1 hour, turning or stirring occasionally.