The long, nasty winter had us all believing we’d never spend an enjoyable day outdoors again. But with the first warm weather of the season, our will to grill returned. From the best meat to the tastiest sauce to the best new tunes to ’cue to, here’s what it takes to make that first barbecue of the year a beauty.
Meat. First things first. You need meat—and lots of it. Bill Begale, owner of Paulina Meat Market suggests pork tenderloin ($9-$12.25 per pound), ribeye ($17.25 per pound) or sirloin ($9.75 per pound) to kick off any backyard feast.
Fish. Mix it up by adding a good grilling fish (i.e., one that holds together well) to the menu. Try lemon fish, yellowtail or mako shark, which The Fishguy Market owner Bill Dugan says is one of the best for grilling. Snag boneless, skinless filets for $10-$16 per pound at Dugan’s Albany Park shop (4423 N. Elston Ave. 773-283-7400).
Tips. Not a natural behind the grill? Celeb chef Bobby Flay (of Food Network "Boy Meets Grill" fame) is, and lucky for you, his latest cookbook, "Grill It!" ($35), hit shelves just two weeks ago. Get your copy—stacked with 150 recipes—at Lincoln Square bookstore The Book Cellar.
Rub. Seasoning is easy with the Dry Glaze line (below) from Chicago-based purveyor Urban Accents—just slather it on with olive oil about 20 minutes before the meat hits the grill. The rubs come in seven flavors, including Cayman Citrus, Puebla Mole, Athenian Herb and Pan Asian Zing. Find them at City Olive for $7.50 each or online at www. urbanaccents.com.
Props. Grilling planks are so last summer. Instead, try cedar papers ($9.95 for a pack of four). Just wrap fish, meat or veggies in these razor-thin slices of cedar and watch as they steam to perfection on your grill. Pick ’em up at The Chopping Block.
Sauce. If you’re doing ’cue, you can’t do without a good sauce. But why mess around in the kitchen all afternoon when someone else has already perfected it? Wicker Park barbecue fave Smoke Daddy recently started bottling its sauce—try spicy Original (right), Sweet and Smokey or zesty Mustard Q ($4.50 each).
Music. Once you’ve got the grill started, it’s time to get the party started. Let local alt-country heroes the Waco Brothers set the scene. Their new release, Waco Express: Live & Kickin’ at Schubas Tavern (below), is a raucous, boozy live album—just the thing to get your shindig underway. Find it at Reckless Records for $12.99.
Beer. You’ll work up a thirst with all that grilling, no doubt. Keep it local with brews from Warrenville, Ill., brewery Two Brothers. Try Domaine DuPage French Country Ale ($8.99 for a six-pack; below) with sweet-sauced barbecue or Cane & Ebel Red Rye ($10.99 per four-pack) with smokier ’cue. Find both—plus other great grill-friendly beers—at In Fine Spirits.
Sides. After the grill work is done, complete your spread with salads from Chicago institution Manny’s Deli. Choose from classics such as creamy potato salad ($4.99 per pound) and broccoli pasta salad ($5.99 per pound)—and plenty more—off the catering menu.
Dessert. You can’t call it a meal without dessert. Pick up a quart of house-made sorbet ($4.50-$4.95) from Cooking Fools in Bucktown. Look for mouth-watering flavors such as white chocolate, mango-habanero and classic vanilla. They’re all vegan—but if you’ve made it to dessert, we’ll assume you don’t care.
[ Amanda E. Snyder is a Metromix special contributor. ] metromix@tribune.com
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