  Brian White of Owen Sound, Ontario, was the winner of a national contest run by Sun Media. He is shown here with his old barbecue. (The Sun Times/Willy Waterton) |
Time to celebrate dad!
In this last of our four-part barbecue series, it's all about fathers, be they husbands, step-dads, grandpas or people considered father figures to those who love them.
This Sunday is his day, when we honour the men in our lives -- and when dads everywhere get to tear open all those gifts and cards dedicated to them.
And what better way to satisfy him than to feed him a meal.
Most of us will be spending slightly less than last year on gifts, an average of $90.89, according to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2009 Father's Day consumer report shows -- but total sales of dad gear is still expected to top more than $9 billion.
"Along with the usual ties, gift givers will be looking into items dad can enjoy with the whole family," says NRF president and CEO Tracy Mullin, noting retailers will most likely be offering deals on everything from sporting goods to grill sets.
What's not to celebrate? Your dad may have the best barbecue, but he can always use new equipment, essentials and grill toys, like personalized branders (see right) that put your own stamp on your steak (check out the Cattleman's Branding Iron Kit at www.bbqs.com).
RITA.DEMONTIS@SUNMEDIA.CA
GRILLED PRIME BURGERS
Recipe courtesy of Certified Angus Beef LLC
1 1/2 lbs. (750 g) Angus beef prime ground chuck
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup (75 ml) mayonnaise
4 sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed) drained and pureed
1 poblano pepper, seeded (or for more heat, try a scotch bonnet pepper
8 thin slices smoked Gouda cheese
Shredded salad greens
4 onion buns
Shape ground meat into four patties. Season with salt and pepper.Mix together mayonnaise and sun-dried tomato puree.Grill patties on medium-high heat to internal temperature, cooking thoroughly.Meanwhile, grill pepper until tender; slice into thin strips.Top buns with hamburger, pepper, cheese and greens.Serves 4.
CHUNKY CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES
Recipe courtesy of Weber's Real Grilling cookbook
1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted butter
1 pkg. ( lb/12 oz) semisweet chocolate chunks, divided
3 large eggs
1 cup (250 ml) light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tsp. (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 ml) cocoa
1/2 tsp. (2 ml) EACH baking powder and salt
1 cup (250 ml) EACH coarsely chopped walnuts, shredded coconut and dried cherries
In a small saucepan over very low heat, melt butter with 1/2 of chocolate chunks, stirring constantly until smooth. Set aside to cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in cooled butter-chocolate mixture. In a medium bowl, sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir into large bowl of batter. Add walnuts, coconut and cherries, and remainder of chocolate chunks; stir to blend. Note -- batter will be stiff.Use a large spoon and wet fingertips to drop dough 1-in. (2.5cm) apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (cookies do not spread when baked). Grill, in batches, over Indirect medium heat for 20 minutes, keeping grill's temperature as close to 350F (180C) as possible. Let cookies cool on sheet until easy to remove with spatula, then transfer to a cooking rack and allow them to cool completely.
Makes 36 cookies
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GREAT GRILL BOOKS FOR DAD
PATIO DADDY-0 at the Grill (Raincoast)
Take a trip back in time with this small, classic read that covers all sorts of great food and drink for your backyard barbecue bash. The photos are pure '50s fun and reminiscent of a bygone era where, when people thought of blackberries, they were really thinking about food. Recipes were all about slabs of meat, killer kebabs and flame-broiled desserts, along with iced cocktails. Come to the patio, daddy-o!
DAD'S AWESOME GRILLING BOOK (Raincoast)
With more than 100 juicy recipes, this tome is all about technique, tips, stories and more, written by Bob Sloan, who puts a delicious spin on the steak. The section on beef is a winner, with steak tips galore. The photography is mouthwatering, the recipes easy to follow. A winner for dad, to be sure.
GATHERING AROUND THE GRILL (Broil King)
A gorgeous, coffee-table hardcover brimming with ideas and anecdotes to make the grilling season a year-round event. Recipes are tidy, detailed and easy to create. "Barbecue is more art than science, with a little sport thrown in," note authors Kris Schumacher and Andrea Witzel. Words of wisdom for any lover of the grill, dads included.
