Get your grilling on

By / Food / June 5th, 2014 / 2

Some of my favourite summer memories are of the big cook outs my Dad used to have for the neighbourhood; living in the country the neighbours were really anyone within a few kilometre radius. My father is famous in these parts for his chicken rub which has clad not only your average bird but on a few occasions, a turkey or two. Those hens would be lined up on a local farmer’s outdoor rotisserie unit, customized to fit about 20 birds. Most of us couldn’t resist but to check in periodically to see how close they were to being done, in anticipation of the crispy salty bites of skin, fresh and hot off the coals. The flavour of the outdoor rotisserie chicken in combination with his secret spice was something to not only taste but dream about.

Luckily our family did not have to always wait for a big get-together – our small rotisserie barbecue was just the right size for two small chickens. We were one of those families that barbecued year-round, dusting off the snow when required and using it almost daily throughout the summer. And, when it comes to cooking, my Mom can take it or leave it, so it was usually my Dad and I ‘manning’ the grill. I soon learned that it was important to bring the grill heat up to a high temperature to sear the meat and that closing the lid helps to retain that heat. I was also instructed to never salt steaks too early as it can dry out the meat and of course, to let it ‘rest’ before slicing and serving.

Over the years I have come up with my own preferences for grilling and this has led to heated but friendly ‘debates’ with my father. Each year, as we celebrate my small claim to fame of having two children born on the same day two years apart, we have the annual sausage debate! I have been ordering mine with onion from the butcher for the past 15 years yet he still tries to convince me that his original recipe with garlic is better. This question is usually followed by the discussion of whether or not his Broil King or my Weber reigns supreme!

There is no doubt my family is passionate about food and wine. My Dad is now retired from winemaking but we still get to enjoy his wines at family gatherings as his life has come full circle; he is back to making wine in his garage. Both his Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are great matches for grilled fare – fresh ,fruity and bright tasting, the perfect way to welcome summer.

Summer grilling brings together food, wine, family, friends and always plenty of fun. This year The Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake bring it all together with their new ‘Sip and Sizzle’ touring pass. They are firing up the heat  to grill up some tasty treats matched with their favourite barbecue wines. So get your grilling on by visiting wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com for more information.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrea Kaiser grew up in Niagara, and is no stranger to the Ontario wine industry. You could say she was born into a life of food and wine and now shares this passion for Niagara Flavours through her writing, teaching and work. Well, we will call it work for lack of a better word.

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