Alright, fellas. Memorial Day is right around the corner, and you know what that means: friends, family, sunshine, and some serious barbecuing! I’ve taken the liberty of putting together several pieces of advice for making a kick-ass Memorial Day meal on the BBQ (read to the bottom for my tips.) But first, you need a grill to get the party started. Consumer Reports gives some advice on purchasing the best gas grill for your Memorial Day and year-round needs:
“The weather has been perfect for those of us who like to barbecue. Maybe you need a new grill for the long outdoor cooking season ahead?
You can burn up some big bucks on a new gas grill, but do you have to spend a lot in order to get a grill that delivers delicious results?
The testers at Consumer Reports went to great lengths to get you the answer just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
“Everybody loves a barbecue” — that’s the slogan for Gina Hegarty’s catering company.
“It just reminds you of your childhood, and it just reminds you of being together, and parties and fun,” she said.
Hegarty’s company cooks on gas grills. Consumer Reports has tested nearly a hundred gas grills ranging in price from $100 all the way up to $2,500. With some, you need to factor in plenty of space. One $1,200 grill was almost 7 feet long!”
To get the full scoop on how to test and pick the perfect gas grill, click here.
Now onto my best tips: first, make your bash a potluck. You provide the main dish (aka the protein) and ask friends and family to bring chips, salsa, potato salad, etc. It’s more fun this way, and everybody gets involved. Second, go to Costco for your meat. Seriously! Buying in bulk is the smartest option for a big crowd, and with their 6-pack of 7 oz Applewood Bacon-wrapped Beef filets, how can you go wrong? If you don’t buy bulk, buy somewhere like Whole Foods. I promise you can taste the difference. And last but not least, if you are doing some sides yourself, pick sides that you can stick on the grill with the rest of the meal. Corn on the cob is a great option, and it looks especially impressive if you throw the whole ear on the grill, husk and all. (Just be sure to soak the ears in water prior to grilling to prevent Smoky the Bear from showing up when your husks ignite over the flame.) Another great grill-able and delicious side is asparagus. Too expensive, you say? Nonsense! Costco sells huge, gorgeous bunches of asparagus that would easily feed 7-10 people for $5. Happy barbecuing!
