Chef and expert griller Rich Parente of Clock Tower Grill in Brewster cooks up some food at the outdoor kitchen on his farm.
Photo by Andre Baranowski
By Samantha Garbarini, Lizzy Sobiesk, and Sabrina Sucato
Up Your Grilling Game
Dan Sabia of Wood Fire Food shares insider tips.
As the chef-owner of live-fire catering company Wood Fire Food, Dan Sabia is a master of open-fire cooking, creating one-of-a-kind experiences that connect diners with farm-to-table ingredients and the stories behind them. Here, the born-and-raised Westchesterite shares his tips and tricks to coaxing the most flavor out of vegetables, resting meat the right way, and why slow-roasted strawberries are the shining stars of summer.
What are the biggest grilling mistakes home cooks make?
One is not tempering your meat. Going directly with ice-cold meat on a grill, you get a lot of inconsistencies. Under-seasoning is a big thing on the grill. All the excess salt falls through the grates. Timing is also a big issue. Everyone wants to get it done as fast as possible, but the hottest setting doesn’t really give you the best product.
Try This Recipe: Smoked Chicken Wings
What basic advice should every newbie griller know?
Start simple. Understand the simplicity of a perfectly cooked piece of squash on the grill with lemon juice. Stay away from marinating ahead of time because it causes flareups.
What unusual foods taste great on the grill?
[At Wood Fire Food] we are known for using fruit in a lot of our dishes, but not as a dessert. You can make a really beautiful, slow-roasted strawberry. It turns into something like a gusher. Stone fruits are so good grilled and seasoned. The salt brings out the sugar.
Try This on the Grill: Caramelized Cauliflower with Herbs and Feta
Why is slow grilling the way to go?
We always choose to cook bigger cuts for a longer period of time because it allows us to get a juicier product. If you put way too much heat on the outside, you get a big gray circle around the meat.
Is resting essential?
For anything that has a bone, your resting period should be 15 to 20 minutes no matter what. That bone is a beautiful conductor of heat. Anything boneless or skinless, let it rest 10 minutes afterward. Steaks need 10 to 20 minutes depending on size.
Try This on the Grill: Grilled Cilantro-Lime Swordfish Sandwich With Corn and Avocado Relish
What’s your favorite thing to throw on the grill?
Vegetables are my favorite thing to cook all summer long. There’s nothing better than a grilled piece of squash with lemon juice or eggplant when it’s in the height of the season.
Try This on the Grill: Mango Chimichurri Skirt Steak
Grilling Tips: How to Craft a Perfect Burger
Not-Your-Dad’s Gear
You’ve already got a pair of tongs and a spatula. Now, stock up on some other grill accessories to take your backyard barbecue to the next level.
Weber Stainless Steel Smoker Box
$27
Williams Lumber
Multiple locations
www.williamslumber.com
Just add soaked wood chips and this inexpensive, perforated stainless steel box can turn any home grill into a smoker.
Weber iGrill 2
$99
Kelloggs & Lawrence
Katonah
www.kelloggsandlawrence.com
This portable Bluetooth thermometer monitors doneness in real time via two 5-inch, professional-grade probes.
Outset High Temperature Grill Glove
$18
Hillsdale General Store
Hillsdale
www.hillsdalegeneralstore.com
Grab food straight off the grill with this heat- and flame-resistant glove with an extra-long cuff and anti-slip silicon grip. (It’s machine washable, too.)
Try This on the Grill: Pressed Watermelon Salad
Cross Back Denim Apron
$90
Clove & Creek
Kingston
www.cloveandcreek.com
Way more stylish than your old cotton one, this durable, Morocco-made denim apron features trendy cross-back straps.
Gentlemen’s Hardware Bucket Barbecue
$50
Exit Nineteen
Kingston
www.exitnineteen.com
Perfect for picnics, camping, and hanging at the beach, this portable grill bucket lets you set up a cookout anywhere.
