If there’s one cut of meat that earns respect in BBQ circles, it’s beef brisket. This is the steak that separates rookies from pitmasters. It’s cheap to buy, but challenging to cook well. Done right, it’s the kind of meat that makes people close their eyes and quietly nod in approval. Done wrong… well, let’s … Read more
Grilling a thanksgiving turkey is the kind of holiday move that makes your family think you’ve secretly enrolled in culinary school. The truth? You just decided to take the bird outside and let the grill do the heavy lifting. As a pitmaster, I can tell you this: once you taste a turkey that’s been kissed … Read more
Thanksgiving is synonymous with family, gratitude, and that unmistakable aroma of roasting turkey filling the house. But have you ever stopped mid-bite to ask yourself: why turkey? Why not chicken, venison, or even seafood? The story of thanksgiving turkey is a mix of history, practicality, culture, and a pinch of marketing genius. Let’s carve into … Read more
If there’s a universal truth about weeknights, it’s this: nobody has the patience for a two-hour cooking marathon after a full day of life happening. That’s where grilled shrimp skewers become the hero we didn’t know we needed. They’re fast, flavorful, and feel far fancier than the effort required. Shrimp cook in minutes – blink, … Read more
Japanese wagyu isn’t just beef – it’s the edible equivalent of silk pajamas. Soft, luxurious, and once you try it, you will question every life decision that led you to supermarket steak. But here’s the fun twist: despite its “fancy beef” reputation, many Japanese wagyu recipes are ridiculously simple. Some use just three or four … Read more
If you’ve ever grilled pork liempo and thought, “This is great… but it needs something,” you’re not alone. Even the juiciest, crispiest, most char-packed liempo becomes legendary with the right side dish beside it. As a chef who has grilled more pork belly than I care to admit (my apron still smells like smoke), I’ve … Read more
If there’s one Filipino combo that never fails to make dinner feel like a celebration, it’s grilled pork liempo paired with pancit canton. You get smoky, caramelized pork with juicy noodles and crunchy veggies – all in one plate. And the best part? You don’t need a Michelin-starred background to nail it. With the right … Read more
If you’ve ever flipped burgers on a gas grill and thought, “I wish this had more smoke, but also more control,” then wood pellet grills are probably your spirit animal. As a pitmaster who’s spent more sunsets over smoky grates than I care to admit, I can confidently say: wood pellet grills are the versatile, … Read more
Grilled chicken isn’t just dinner. It’s an experience. The sizzle, the aroma, the little flare-ups that make you feel like a backyard pitmaster – even if you’re wearing a pair of faded sweatpants. This guide isn’t about complicated sauces or exotic cuts. It’s about mastering grilling chicken so every piece is juicy, flavorful, and cooked … Read more
Grilling steak sounds simple, right? Throw it on the grill, wait a few minutes, flip it, done. But if you’ve ever bitten into a steak that’s dry, bland, or unevenly cooked, you know the truth: grilling steak well is both an art and a science. Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a … Read more
Winter dinners often bring to mind heavy stews and creamy casseroles. But what if you could have something light, healthy, and bursting with flavor – yet still hearty enough to warm you up? Enter the hero of this list: grilled halibut. With its firm, flaky texture and mild flavor, halibut is perfect for the grill. … Read more
There’s nothing quite like the smell of lechon manok (chicken rotisserie) roasting over charcoal or wood. That aroma – smoky, garlicky, and slightly sweet – can make a grown person drool in seconds. For Filipinos, lechon manok isn’t just food; it’s culture on a spit. From street carts spinning slowly in Manila to family gatherings, … Read more
Let’s paint the scene. The smoke curls up from the grill, slow and hypnotic. A football game hums on the TV in the background. Someone’s flipping ribs, someone else is cracking open a beer. There’s laughter, a bit of trash talk, and the faint sound of sizzling meat. To an outsider, it might look like … Read more
Honestly speaking, salmon is a whole different kind of beast to tame on the grill. Dare I say that grilling salmon can feel like a high-stakes game. You either nail it with that golden, crisp skin and buttery inside – or end up with a flaky disaster that welds itself to your grill. I’ve been … Read more
Grilling isn’t just about fire and flavor – it’s about chemistry, nutrition, and that invisible layer of goodness happening on a molecular level. Every sizzle on the grill marks a moment when micronutrients – the unsung heroes of your diet – get a little smoky upgrade. I’ve spent years at the grill, feeding everyone from … Read more
There’s something special about grilled chicken tortilla soup. It’s the kind of meal that feels like it came straight out of a backyard party – smoky, spicy, comforting, and somehow light enough that you can go for seconds without guilt. Think of it as your favorite Tex-Mex comfort food, reimagined through the smoky lens of … Read more
If your weekends smell like smoke and sizzling steak, this one’s for you. Grilled food is one of life’s pure joys – flame-kissed ribs, charred veggies, juicy skewers. But let’s face it: even the “healthy” grilled meals can sneak in a few hundred extra calories (especially once the sauces join the party). Here’s the good … Read more
If you still think cauliflower is boring, it’s because no one’s thrown it on a hot grill yet. Once that white, humble vegetable hits open flame, it transforms – smoky, charred, caramelized, and shockingly satisfying. Add a drizzle of bright, garlicky herb tarator, and suddenly you’ve got a dish that could rival any steak. This … Read more
By your friendly neighborhood pitmaster who thinks the ocean deserves a little smoke too. Grilling Meets the Waves Picture this: the sun’s leaning low on the horizon, the water’s calm, and that first hiss of meat hitting hot metal breaks the silence. You’re not in your backyard anymore – you’re grilling on a yacht, salt … Read more
You can smell it before you see it – the faint wisp of smoke, the sizzle of fat hitting hot metal, the unmistakable promise that someone, somewhere, is about to eat well. But here’s the thing: grilling outdoors isn’t just about food. It’s about feeling good – a primal kind of good. The kind that … Read more
You’ve grilled ribs, burgers, and maybe even a pineapple or two. But pizza? That’s where most backyard cooks hesitate. It sounds risky – dough and open flame don’t exactly scream “safe combination.” But trust me, once you grill pizza, you’ll never look back. I’ve been smoking meats and charring vegetables for decades, and I’ll tell … Read more
Fire, Flavor, and the Human Story Before microwaves, air fryers, and Instagram food reels, there was fire. Just fire – and a hungry human staring at it, wondering what would happen if a chunk of meat hit those flames. Spoiler alert: dinner happened, and so did history. The history of grilling and BBQ is really … Read more
When honey meets sesame over a perfectly seared grilled tuna steak, something special happens. You get that sweet-smoky-nutty trifecta that makes you pause mid-bite and go, okay, that’s ridiculously good. This is one of those dishes that sounds fancy but secretly takes less time than finding your tongs. It’s fast, high-protein, good-looking on the plate, … Read more
When Smoke Meets Smart Eating There’s something primal about grilling – the hiss of fat hitting flame, the smoke swirling through the air, the smell that makes your neighbors jealous. But here’s the kicker: grilling doesn’t have to mean greasy burgers and calorie overload. Done right, it’s one of the smartest ways to cook light … Read more
Cold Doesn’t Cancel the Grill There’s a special kind of silence when you grill in winter. The air bites, the smoke hangs low, and the sizzle cuts through the cold like a promise. Most folks pack their grills away after summer, assuming barbecue season hibernates. Big mistake. Grilling during winter isn’t just possible – it’s … Read more