a girl with a will to grill

I'd like to think of myself as a decent cook.

When I was growing up, I would beg my mom to let me plan and fix the meals for a week. She'd always hesitate, because I was drawn to fancy things with exotic ingredients. But on those occasions when she'd allow it, I cooked up a storm. I developed an especially strong prowess in baking--biscuits, pies and cakes from scratch, cookies and desserts of many varieties. Yep, licking the beaters and scraping the bowl are some of my favorite memories of that kitchen back in Bay City.

Years later, having concocted dishes in my own kitchens in several states, my repertoire of best recipes falls most squarely in baking, salads, and casseroles. Somehow the "plainer" dishes with fewer ingredients intimidate me. Maybe it's because when it's all about getting it done perfectly and seasoning it just right, I don't have confidence or experience enough. Meats especially have always been a bit of a mystery to me, and since I'm a total carnivore, that's a problem!

For almost a year I've been letting Jenny Craig design my meals, but now I need to begin transitioning to preparing them myself. I've always loved the taste of food off the grill, and know how healthy it can be. But though I'd tried grilling in the past and decided it was a man's domain, I knew it was time to give it a go again.

With the help and advice of a grillmaster whose abilities I envy, I came up with a menu of salmon with honey mustard sauce, sesame ginger yellow squash, and fresh asparagus spears. And it was pretty good. I didn't have the timing quite right, because I took the veggies off before the salmon and then had to nuke them when I plated it all, which rendered them a little overdone, and I think I left the salmon on longer than I should have, because I was having trouble recognizing what color meant it was ready...

But I did it. And I'm going to keep trying until I master the timing and the knowing and everything. It was really very enjoyable there on my pretty patio, and I'm going to get it perfect (or at least better) next time!

Beth

Comments

[Jan C.]

I have similar issues, Beth. Baking is my thing, and the rest of the cooking is something I do because I must. Perfectly cooked veggies just don't have the same payoff for me as a nice cherry pie!

Salmon is one item I just can't seem to get right. Same thing happens to me with not understanding what color it should be. I'm stuck on making sure nothing is underdone inside, so I cook it to death, I guess. Recently I was reading Jessica Sprague's blog and she mentioned a couple of books on grilling that she had purchased and tried, with the result that she was able to make excellent pork chops for the first time in her life. So if you're interested, check out her post: http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/blog/2009/7/30/spa-chicken-chops-and-blessings.html I got copies of both books from the library, and I'm going to see if I can do some salmon soon.

[Tina (teetee)]

Looks and sounds yummy to me! I love to cook out also!

[Winter]

Hey Susan! Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for liking my baby card that I submitted! That was my favorite card that I sent in! This is my first publication ever, so I am so excited! Thanks so much!

[Jody Ferlaak]

Spend a weekend watching the Food Network- especially shows with Bobby Flay and other grillmasters- and you'll be a pro in no time! The menu sounds delicious! I love salmon and should email you a couple of my favorite recipes. I have to say though, that it's not your meal that impresses me most in this blog post, but your physique! You're looking so great and it's obvious that your healthy eating/working out is paying off. Way to go! I hope you feel as great as you look too. Enjoy the rest of your summer and happy grilling!

[Carolyn]

Um, let's forget about the food and talk about that saucy chica cookin' it! BETH YOU LOOK SOOOOO FABULOUS!!!! Hellooooo. You go with your bad self!
Miss you girls.