Outdoor grilling has evolved as man’s work though it’s not clear, from a woman’s point of view, if it is really evolution or a throw back to Neanderthal DNA. At any rate, most men enjoy grilling and cooking up some pretty tasty concoctions to delight those of the feminine persuasion. It may be that women appreciate not having the mess in the kitchen to clean up.
There is nothing quite as succulent as a rib-eye marinated and grilled over a mesquite fire, or a leg of lamb infused with garlic, rosemary, olive oil and grilled to perfection over apple and peach wood. The marinade tenderizes, locks in moisture, and permeates the flesh to bring out the flavors of the meat. Marinades can be oil-based, fruit-based, tomato-based, and/or dry mixes of herbs and spices. Yes, dry rubs also marinate and act as a crust to retain juices.
Marinades are simple to make, easy to store, and make great gifts for Father’s Day, Retirement Party gifts, Hubby’s Birthday, or just because… You can pickup containers and packaging at gourmet shops, garage sales, and variety stores. Some of the best containers are tins with spring-lock lids that you can decorate with wallpaper, your own computer generated designs, or faux ads and a rub recipe. Bottles, decanters, and jars can be labeled, sealed, and wrapped in a chef’s hat or apron. Or, tie a potholder and tongs to a jar of marinade and include the marinade recipe.
The next time Hubby wants to grill, give him these 2 simple coffee-based recipes. The coffee imparts a roasted nutty flavor to red meat especially.
Chili Coffee Rub
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups espresso ground coffee
- 4 Tbsp paprika
- 4 Tbsp dark brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp Coleman’s dry mustard
- 2 Tbsp sea salt, coarsely ground
- ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp dried thyme
- 2 Tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground allspice
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper
Method:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. A whisk works well for this chore.
- Drizzle a little olive oil onto steaks, chops, fish, or chicken
- Press on a good thick layer of the rub
- Grill, broil, or pan fry
- Store remaining rub in an air-tight tin or jar in a cool, dark pantry.
Variations:
- Substitute coriander for thyme, savory for oregano, or cinnamon for allspice
- Add 1 Tbsp of rub to your favorite chili, stew, or baked beans
- Stir 2 Tbsp into your favorite BBQ sauce or add it to some ketchup with cider vinegar for a quick basting sauce.
Kahlua Marinade for Pork and Chicken
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of Kahlua (coffee/vanilla liqueur)
- 2 cups soy sauce
- 1 large onion
- 2 inch knob of fresh ginger root, peeled
- 4 large cloves of garlic
- 1 lemon grass stalk, root end trimmed (or zest of 2 lemons)
- 1 Thai chili or red Serrano chili
Method:
- Place onion, ginger root, garlic, chili, and lemon grass in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add Kahlua and soy sauce and whirl 2 or 3 seconds to mix.
- Pour 1 cup of marinade in a glass pan large enough to hold pork chops or chicken pieces in one layer.
- Marinate for 20 minutes on each side.
- Grill 6 inches from coals, turning and basting every 6-10 minutes. Or, oven-roast at 350° F. in the marinade.
