Get Yer Grill On!

Last week The Motherhood hosted one of the most informational live video chats featuring celebrity chef George Duran. I was honored enough to be invited alongside nine other fabulous bloggers to facilitate the discussion centered around one of my favorite topics, GRILLING.  Not only did we get to drool over George’s fabulous Santa Fe Chicken Packets from Ready, Set, Eat that he made live, but we also got to watch him make his favorite recipe submitted by Jennifer from Mom Spotted (link below).  By the end we were drooling all over ourselves.  I realize now why the chat took place at 1pm, just in time for lunch!

George offered us so many tips that it was nearly impossible to remember them all.  Lucky for us the video is embedded above to refresh our memories because I cannot possibly cover them all here.  One of my favorite tips offered involved spraying non-stick spray directly on your burger before putting it on the grill to prevent flare ups and keep your meat from sticking.  How clever is that?  Here are some of my other favorites…

Grillin’ Tips & Tricks

•  Keep a spray bottle handy to spray on flare ups and to create steam for easy clean up.
• Use a large, metal/wired brush for cleaning grates before and after use.
• Use non-stick spray directly on burgers and other meats prior to adding to grill to prevent sticking.  Also on tongs or other grilling tools.
• When grilling corn leave husks on, pre-soaking is not necessary, and cook until husks are well charred.  Let cool 5 minutes.
• Other than hamburgers/hot dogs beginners should try thick veggies (zucchini/summer squash) & thin sliced chicken for quick grilling.
• A cooking mat (Cookina) is recommended when grilling veggies.
• Be creative – stuff the burger with cheese instead of placing on top.

The Bloggers’ Recipes

Amy, Cajun Joie de Vivre: Man Dogs
Caryn, Rockin’ Mama: Greek Style Burgers stuffed with Feta Cheese
Faith, An Edible Mosaic: Pizza Burgers (pictured above)
Jennifer, Mom Spotted: Cheddar Jalapeno Bacon Burgers
Kate, Stolen Moments Cooking: Fiesta Burgers 
Kelly, Kansas City Mamas: KC BBQ Hot Dogs
Lisa, Life with Lisa: Italian Style Hamburgers
Monet, Anecdotes and Apple Cores: Pear and Goat Cheese Frank
Vanessa, The Sew*er, The Caker the Copycat Maker: Surprise Burgers and Grilled Pineapple
Victoria, Veep Veep, Harrison’s Champion Chili Cheese Dogs

On Pinterest

Here’s the board with Ready Set Eat recipes.
Here’s the board with bloggers’ recipes.

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by ConAgra Foods through The Motherhood.  I was compensated for my participation in this discussion.  Opinions are my own.