Just in time for the cookout season, the country’s top grilling cities were revealed, naming the Show-Me State’s St. Louis as number one.
“St. Louis is known for its great barbecue and rubs, and we’ve got the grills going to prove it,” said Earline Walker, owner of one of the city’s best barbecue 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.”
Memphis, Atlanta, and Tampa were also named in the top ten list, which was compiled by Kingsford® Charcoal with SureFire Grooves™.
Easy Does It
Use a chimney to light the briquets. Simply place loosely wadded newspaper in the lower chamber, charcoal in the top, and light the paper. Once the briquets are ready (they’ll turn an ash-gray color), just pour them into the grill. You can find chimneys at any hardware, home, garden, or superstore. Visit kingsford.com for additional lighting methods.
Seasonal Sides
Spice up seasonal sides! Sprinkle fresh veggies like summer squash and corn on the cob with Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix instead of butter.
5-Minute Dessert
Before grilling desserts, brush the grates to remove any marinades or meat flavors from the meal. Then, drizzle KC Masterpiece® Barbecue Sauce on slices of pineapple, melon, and apple, lightly grill to caramelize the topping, and serve with ice cream.
Think Outside of the Kitchen
You can grill almost anything! Try grilling chicken wings instead of deep-frying or baking them, as they’re traditionally prepared. You can also heat sides, like beans and veggies, in a saucepot on the grates, or grill pizza and quesadillas for a great smoky, real barbecue flavor.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Recipe created by Earline and Otis Walker, owners of Smoki O’s, St. Louis
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 11/2 to 2 hours
Serves: 4
4 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 teaspoons red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound chicken wings
11/2 cups Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® dressing
2 cups KC Masterpiece® Original Barbecue Sauce
Light grill using Kingsford® Charcoal with SureFire Grooves™. Mix garlic, red pepper, and salt; rub onto wings. Pour Ranch dressing into Glad® food storage bag; add wings. Shake bag to coat wings.
Remove wings from bag; place on aluminum foil, fold into cooking pockets and seal tightly. Place pockets on the main grill rack for about an hour and a half. Remove wings from pockets 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 wings on the smoker. Cook for 11/2 to 2 hours. Remove and place on grill over moderate flame and grill as directed above.
Of course, you don’t have to live in St. Louis to enjoy great grilling. Make your next cookout shine with these tips from Walker.
