I don’t get it. Why is grilling a guy thing? The tradition in American society is that the women do the bulk of the cooking, but the guy is expected to do the grilling. It doesn’t make sense to me. One thing I do know is that one question I get asked quite often by wives is: Can you teach my husband to grill? He overcooks everything. I don’t care who does it. Put that all aside because…
It’s Time To Grill!
Nothing says summer more than food cooked on the grill. The summer is officially here and it is the perfect opportunity to be grilling. Everyone loves a menu of grilled items and they are great for a dinner party.
One common denominator of most dinner parties is everyone cramming together in the kitchen. Cooking on a grill outside is a wonderful alternative to spread out your guests. You just need to be careful that it doesn’t become…the guys by the grill and the girls in the kitchen. It is time to break from the stereotypes. Get everyone involved in the preparation and have a good time socializing over a meal.
Here is last night’s menu:
Westhampton Grilled Menu
- Grilled Swordfish With Compound Butter and Horseradish Dill Tarter Sauce
- Grilled Eggplant With Gorgonzola Aioli
- Grilled Corn With Compound Butter
- Grilled Asparagus With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
One thing I love about visiting my mom in Westhampton is all the great seafood and fresh produce options. This year we came up a little early, Memorial Day versus Fourth of July) so the produce is probably from California or Chile, but it doesn’t matter. We are in the Hamptons and we going to enjoy foods cooked on the grill.
Note: Susan chilling out by the pool
A great thing about cooking on the grill is that with a little preparation, you get most of the work done in advance and when it is time to cook, you are out of the kitchen. The biggest piece of the Mise En Place was getting the compound butter, Gorgonzola aioli and tarter sauce made. Even that was quick and simple with common ingredients and all being made in the food processor. Grilling also leans to a healthier menu with focus on proteins and vegetables, there is less of a need for carbs.
The goal is to get your prep done in advance. Turn the grill on preheat as your guests arrive. Get everyone a cocktail and conversations going and then grill up a feast. I gave the swordfish, eggplant, asparagus and corn a brushing with olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
If there is anything you might want to take from this menu, I recommend that you give the Gorgonzola Aioli a try. It is a new creation that has gotten rave reviews. I have waxed profusely about compound butter previously. This Gorgonzola Aioli works really well as a sauce, a dip or a salad dressing. It definitely falls into the category of “you could put it on shoe leather and it will taste good”.
No matter if you are a guy or a girl, it is time to get out and grill. While you at it, give the Gorgonzola Aioli a try.
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