NEW YORK, May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whether it's spelled barbecue, BBQ or barbeque, May's designation as National Grilling Month is a great excuse to chuck the ground chuck and celebrate grilling by your own rules. Pit masters across the country are lighting a fire under ostrich, buffalo and elk alongside of traditional favorites. Other grill-worthy options like duck breasts, lamb belly and beef heart means that summer barbecue season is about to take a walk on the wild side.
To help barbecue fanatics embrace the adventurous spirit of flame broiling, Graffigna®—Argentina's pioneering winery— asked Brooklyn-based Meat Hook butcher Sara Bigelow for pointers to help anyone grill like a pro. As a locavore butcher, Bigelow prefers her meat be sourced locally. "Locally sourced meat improves the quality of the animal's life and the flavor of the meat. It also gives us a chance to visit our farms start to finish and support local communities with our purchases."
Bigelow also says that this year in particular, they have seen a real increase in customers using the grill as a new cooking tool for tried and true recipes. "We're continuing to see people interested in expanding their taste buds outside of the usual fare," she notes. So it comes as no surprise what Bigelow considers her number one tip: challenge yourself to try something new.
Whether it's venison or ham steak, these suggestions from a woman passionate about meat will help you in preparing your next culinary cook out.
Bigelow's other sure-fire tricks of the trade:
Keep it simple
Remember that the higher the quality, the lower the maintenance. "There are so many fantastic cuts of meat that are transformed on the grill, and the better quality the protein is, the simpler the menu can be," says Bigelow. "A great cut of meat needs little else but salt, simple fresh greens, and a great bottle of red wine like Graffigna's Centenario Malbec 2010."
The best barbecue meats respond well to hot, direct heat
Pork skirt steak, fresh ham steaks, pork sirloin chops and beef chuck flap steaks fall into this category. Great vegetable options are onions, eggplant, portobello mushrooms or peppers.
Know your zones
Coal arrangement plays a vital role in the grilling process by creating various fire zones. Two-zone direct (large coal mound on one side, smaller pile on the other), two-zone indirect (all coal on one side), three-zone split (two equal piles on each side)—if the grill was a freeway, charcoal would be the traffic cones. Each method creates a different end result, so know your guests' preferences before you assign flame districts.
Pre-heat for the best meat
Pre-heat the grill to ensure your meat obtains a fantastic sear, evenly cooked center and crisp edge. Once you place your protein on the grill, don't mess with it! Turning the meat too frequently ruins caramelization, and cutting into it will waste the juices. Meat that has been exposed to extreme heat needs to cool or "rest" a bit to maintain its rich juices. Depending on the meat, you've got up to 15 minutes to sit back, share a toast and build anticipation for the meal ahead.
A broad range of cuts are available for purchase at The Meat Hook. To order, please visit the-meathook.com or call 718-349-5033. The Meat Hook is a full-service butcher shop in Brooklyn, New York, dedicated to providing quality meat from locally raised animals. The shop works with small farms in and around New York State, and the team prides itself on sourcing whole animals from producers that create positive living conditions for the animals.
About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI). The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu® flavored rum, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avión); such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.
Pernod Ricard USA is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country.
Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.
Morgan Perry; The Thomas Collective, 212-229-2294
mperry@thethomascollective.com
Krista Drew; Pernod Ricard USA, 914-848-4743
Krista.Drew@pernod-ricard-usa.com
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