Baking season It’s just around the corner – in some parts of the country, it’s already here – and there’s no better reason to go out into your backyard or yard and enjoy the nice weather.
We spoke with Peter Agostinelli, culinary director at LaBelle . Winery and the former chef of Grill 23 & Bar in Boston, and cookbook author and chef in Los Angeles Gaby Dalkin, about the essentials for the perfect baking experience and how to use them to create great meals. Below, you’ll find expert-recommended options to get the most out of your grill this season.
Agostinelli, who oversees the cooking of hundreds of steaks each night, says, “Let your steaks or meats come to room temperature and heavily salted about 10 or 15 minutes before you want to cook. The salt will dissolve and almost create a layer of brine on the outside of the meat.”
Dalkin, a longtime barbecue enthusiast, says her baking must-have is “a really amazing marinade or vinegar that I can use to marinate foods, like mine.” basil vinegar oil recipe. ”
Lea & Perrins Original Worcestershire Sauce
Agostinelli sticks to a classic saying, “Worcestershire sauce is probably my secret ingredient” when baking, but “I also like sauces with vegetables. Like a little olive oil, salt and pepper, a little Worcestershire on almost anything will turn out great. ”
And he’s super selective: “However, it has to be Lea & Perrins.”
Both chefs agree that tongs are key to managing your cooking. As Dalkin explains, “You need something that can reach that food on the back of the grill without using your hands and arms.”
These 16-inch tongs from Oxo are perfect for hot grilling because of their easy locking and unlocking function, and the extra length ensures your hands don’t get too close to the flame.
With a silicone handle, a large handle on one side and a smaller handle on the other, these heavy-duty grips will let you reach the back of your grill without problems (or burns).
Both chefs also put an instant-read thermometer high on their list, as it can tell you the temperature of your meat quickly, ensuring that the food you’re eating and serving is safe and cooked through. perfect.
We named this one best meat thermometer of the year because it’s the fastest and most accurate thermometer we’ve tested and has the easiest-to-read display.
You won’t need to worry about undercooked or overcooked meat with this instant-read thermometer, which has an antibacterial coating to prevent bacterial growth, an important feature for professional chefs and chefs alike. family.
This professional-quality thermometer indicates temperatures within 0.9 degrees and features a rotating probe to allow access to all meat cooking areas, making it a kitchen staple for everyone. these chefs.
Dalkin says the tool is “absolutely a must if you have a charcoal grill. “Never mind the fact that your backyard might look like it’s on fire, you need one to get the coals hot before you scatter them on the grill and add the meat.”
According to our chefs, charcoal burns hotter and drier than propane, creating a tastier charcoal and saltier crust.
This starter, with a 5-pound capacity, has a wooden handle and a heat shield to protect your hands from the heat.
Collapsible camping grill and chimney starter
We love this starter kit for one simple reason – it crashes. If you are short on space and want a reliable starter for your charcoal grill, this is the option for you.
This charcoal chimney has a trigger to release the coals from the bottom so you can grill quickly and easily.
Agostinelli, who shows off his New England roots, says a fish spoon is important to always carry for great grilling. This classic Oxo fish rotator features beveled edges for easy flipping.
Grilling isn’t just about meat and fish. Crispy and smoky roasted vegetables can come to life when cooked properly.
Agostinelli has an easy (and budget-friendly) trick for cooking vegetables on the grill.
“I really enjoy making a package of foil,” he says. “And you can do this with baby corn or sliced potatoes, onions and herbs. You want to put three or four layers of aluminum foil on it. And then I like to bury them right in the hot coals and have them roast right in the coals while I’m grilling on it. ”
Another way to toss a bunch of veggies on the grill comes from Dalkin, who says this grill basket is one of her favorite tools for everyday summer use.
“Fill it with all your favorite veggies and put it on the grill to get that incredible aroma on everything,” she says. “Just make sure to throw things around every few minutes to cook.”
When it comes to grilling vegetables, Dalkin is passionate about a tool. “Never mind the wood [skewers]; they are too easy to ignite,” she said. “Having a great set of metal skewers means you can make left and right barbecue and reuse the skewers every day.”
Know how to clean your grill It can be difficult, but this cleaning block, with its pumice-like texture, can get your grill clean in no time.
Grillin ‘Scrubbin kick and handle combo is better
Another baking scrub block made from recycled materials, this kit comes with two blocks and a handle for easy cleaning.
This Kona brush is our top pick for best grill brush. Hairless so you won’t get metal hairs on the grill when cleaning. Plus, it has a long handle and sturdy construction so it will last for years.
Slim, light and completely portable, this is a grill you can use indoors or outdoors when the weather is nice enough.
Basic yet powerful, this charcoal grill can hold up to 13 burgers at a time.
If you’re using more gas, this three-burner option features two holders and a super easy-to-clean ceramic cooking grate.
With a built-in thermometer, foldable mesh, and removable ash catcher, you’ll have everything you need to kick start your baking game this summer.
