American Cook Out Time

Gird yourself!

America has unveiled the country's top grilling cities and has selected the city of St. Louis as number one. St. Louis is immensely noteworthy for its great barbecue and rubs. It is proven by the long standing grills still used by its famous restaurants. "That's because we know nothing can bring family and friends together like a cookout with that great smoky, real barbecue flavor of charcoal-grilled foods", said Earline Walker, owner of one of the city's best restaurants.

If you dream of throwing your own garden cookout, start it with the meat you want to serve. If kids are coming, prepare hotdogs and hamburgers, while steak, chicken or ribs may be preferred by adults. There are a number of grills on the market from charcoal to gas powered and even slow smokers that you can easily try. Kingsford introduces its new charcoal briquets featuring Charcoal with Sure Fire Grooves™. Cookout must always be fun.

Easy to Do

Employ a chimney to light the briquets. Simply set loosely wadded newspaper in the lower chamber, put charcoal on top and light the paper. The briquets are set when they turn an ash-gray in color. Just pour them into the grill. Chimneys are available at any hardware, garden and superstores, or you can visit Kingsford for additional information on lighting techniques.

Seasonal Side Dishes on the Grates

Everybody will be delighted with a side dish, so develop splendid seasonal sides by sprinkling fresh new veggies such as summer squash and corn on the cob with Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix, instead of plain butter. Likewise, you can heat side dishes, like beans and veggies in a saucepan on the grates, or grill pizza and quesadillas for a great smoky, real barbecue flavor.

Quick Desserts

Desserts can also be grilled, but be sure to brush the grates first before grilling to eliminate meat tastes, or marinades from actual meat. Drizzle KC Masterpiece® Barbecue Sauce on slices of pineapple, melon and apple. Gently grill to caramelize the topping, and serve with your favorite ice cream.

Think of the Great Outdoors

It is possible to grill just about anything! Try grilling chicken wings instead of deep frying, or might as well bake them as they are conventionally prepared. You might like this awesome grilled chicken wings recipe created by Earline and Otis Walker, owners of Smoki O's, St. Louis.

Grilled Chicken Wings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 1/2 to 2 hours

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

- 4 tablespoons granulated garlic

- 5 teaspoons red or green pepper

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 pound chicken wings

- 1 1/2 cups Hidden Valley Original Ranch dressing

- 2 cups KC Masterpiece Original Barbecue sauce

Procedure:

Light grill using Kingsford Charcoal with Sure Fire Grooves. Mix garlic, red pepper and salt, then rub mixture onto wings. Pour Ranch dressing into glass food storage bag and combine wings. Shake bag to coat wings. Remove wings from bag, place on aluminum foil, fold into cooking pockets and seal tightly. Place pockets on main grill rack for about an hour and a half. Remove wings from pocket and finish directly on grill over moderate flame. Turn every two minutes until wings develop a crust. Baste wings with KC Masterpiece Original Barbecue Sauce. Serve warm

If a smoker is available, arrange the wings on smoker. Cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Remove and place on grill over moderate flame and grill as directed above.

Now you have one of the best chicken recipes in the world. You don't have to live in St. Louis to have a little kicky, a little offbeat, a little unusual, but home cooking good menu. With these tips from Walker, you can create your own pork and ribs smoked out back with fine Missouri cherry wood to give it a sweet aroma.