Live to Ride...Ride to Eat

[Nortoon_imp]

I'm always happiest when I'm grilling burgers and dogs. I grill steaks, salmon, swordfish, chicken and a turkey tenderloin when my wife can find one but burgers and dogs are my favorite.

Weird, huh?

Despite our 6 month winters here, I keep my BBQ in the garage so I can grill all year long. Nothing smells better than a couple of thick rib steaks on the cold winter air. Even the coyotes in the bush down the street agree. They start yapping about 10 minutes after I start.

This has been has been our TGIF supper for decades: crusty buns warmed in the oven, Caesar salad, caramelized onions, pan fried button mushrooms, rib steaks grilled medium rare, and a bottle of Beaujolais. A little extra has been added lately, Quebec goat cheese with maple syrup flavouring. Place a good chunk on the side of your plate, mush your fork into it, stab a good forkful of salad, and enjoy the garlic taste of the salad followed by the creamy taste of the cheese and maple syrup.

My other favourite is thick lamb chops. Three minutes a side leaves them medium rare. The coyotes also approve. Potatoes cut in chunks, lightly boiled, then brushed with butter, lightly sprinkled with salt and pepper, and browned in the oven using the broil setting. Brussel sprouts or asparagus with cheese sauce, and a bottle of hearty Italian Merlot.

Never had any luck with salmon. It stuck to the grill, tin foil, cedar plank, etc. Finally gave up and have Penny bake it. She uses a lightly greased piece of parchment paper in a rectangular ceramic pan. With the skin side down, she brushes the top with maple syrup with a touch of soya sauce added. 20 to 25 minutes leaves it moist and flakey. Served with skin and gray fat removed, a side of steamed fried rice, and a bottle of German Riesling.