Celebrate BBQ Month with Grill Tips and a Delish Recipe

Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month?  What better way to celebrate it than by cooking dinner out on the back patio or deck?  Thanks to the generally pleasant weather experienced by much of the country in May, you can celebrate National Barbecue Month just about every night.

What type of Outdoor Grill do you prefer to use?  Gas Grills and Charcoal Grills are perhaps the most popular grills found in backyards across the country, but Electric Grills, Brick Ovens, and even Portable Grills make cooking out with family and friends a delicious affair, too.   If you don’t already own a grill, or if you’re in the market for a new one, make sure to consider the following questions when you go to buy:

1. How much space do you have for storing and using a grill?  Know where you want to put a grill and measure that space so you know what size limitations you’re working with.
2. How do you want to power your grill?  For example, some people prefer to use charcoal grills because of the flavor it adds to the food, while others like to have optimum control over the temperature of the flame and choose gas.
3. How much cooking surface will you need?  Larger families require a larger cooking surface so that everyone’s food can fit on the grill at the same time.  Small families, on the other hand, may not require as much cooking surface.
4. What kind of features are most important to you?  A grill that is easy to clean?  Easy to move around? One with a warming rack above the main grill surface? Or with additional work space and grilling tool hooks?  Knowing what features you require will help you narrow the field of choices.

With a grill at the ready, you can celebrate National Barbecue Month this month as well as all summer long.  While you’re at it, you can easily celebrate National Hamburger Month, too, which is also in May.  Here’s a delicious hamburger recipe to get you motivated:

Teriyaki Hamburgers

• 1-1/2 pounds of lean ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 slices of white bread, crumbled
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons of sugar
• 3 Tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Blend well.  Shape mixture into 6 patties.  Grill for 10-15 minutes about 5 inches from the flame, turning once.  Serves 6.  Enjoy!