Building the PERFECT charcoal fire.....

QUESTION: I am planning a cookout using charcoal instead of a gas grill and want everything to be perfect and would like to know if you have any suggestions for building the PERFECT charcoal fire?

ANSWER: Follow the 5 easy "building a charcoal fire" steps to make your cookout a success:

		STEP 1: Buy quality charcoals and lighter fluid.
		STEP 2: Allow ample time ahead to heat your charcoals to your desired grilling and bbq temperature.
		STEP 3: Lay the charcoal in a grid-like fashion so all the coals are overlapping and touching. A double layer of charcoal in an 8 inch by 8 inch grid pattern should give you up to 50 to 70 minutes of cooking time.
		STEP 4: Lightly cover the charcoals with lighter fluid and light. Let it burn down about 30 minutes until it reaches 350°F to 375°F. To determine the temperature of the charcoals, use a grill thermometer.
		STEP 5: Go into your kitchen and bring out the beef, chicken, pork, lamb or fish you're ready to go!
		NEVER, NEVER LET YOUR CHILDREN COOK OR GRILL UNSUPERVISED!

GRILLED SUMMERTIME LONDON BROIL STEAK

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 14 to 18 Minutes
Ready In: about 30 Minutes including standing time
Makes 2 to 3 servings

Ingredients:
2 pounds of London Broil Steak (about 1-1/2 inch thick)
Sauce:
1 cup prepared fresh fruit cocktail (mashed)
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

Directions:
1. Pre-heat grill to medium heat.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine and mix the fruit cocktail, ketchup, rosemary, brown sugar and mustard.; remove and reserve 1/2 cup.

3. Grill uncovered, for 14 to 18 minutes for medium-rare (145°F internal temperature), turning occasionally. Brush both sides with remaining sauce during last 5 minutes.

4. Remove steaks from grill and place on a cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes.

4. To Carve: Cut steaks across the grain into thin slices to serve. Serve with reserved sauce.

MARINATED LONDON BROIL ON THE GRILL

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 14 to 18 Minutes
Ready In: about 4 Hours and 20 Minutes WITH marinating time
Makes 2 to 3 servings

Ingredients:
2 lbs. London Broil Steak cut to about 1 1/2 inches thick
5 large cloves garlic
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 tsp. finely chopped parsley
1 tsp. fresh rosemary
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 Tbsp. honey
olive oil

Directions:
1. With a food process or blender, add the garlic, salt, black pepper, red wine, parsley, rosemary, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and honey and mix until smooth to make marinade.

2. Add the marinade mixture above into a resealable plastic bag along with the London Broil steak. Be sure that the entire steak is covered with the marinade.

3. Seal the bag after removing all excess air and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

4. Oil the COLD grill grids.

5. Pre-heat grill to medium heat.

6. Remove the London Broil steak from the bag and place on the heated grill grid and cook for 14 to 18 minutes for medium-rare (145°F internal temperature), turning once. NOTE: Discard unused marinade.

7. When cook, place the steak on a carving board and let stand for 10 minutes. After the standing time, using a sharp knife, cut the steak across the grain a 45° angle into thin slices then serve.

GRILLED SWEET & SPICY LONDON BROIL STEAK

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 14 to 18 Minutes
Ready in: about 35 Minutes including standing time
Makes 2-3 servings

Ingredients:
4 London Broil Steaks - cut 1 1/2 inches thick
Sweet & Spicy Sauce:
1/2 cup prepared chunky salsa
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon black cracked pepper
1 teaspoon rosemary
2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard

Directions:
1. Sweet & Spicy Sauce: In small bowl, combine salsa, ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Mix well. (Reserve 1/2-cup sauce for serving with steaks.)

2. Preheat grill to medium heat.

3. Place London Broil Steaks on grill grid. Grill uncovered 14-18 minutes for medium-rare (145°F internal temperature), turning occasionally and brushing both sides with sauce during last 5 minutes of grilling.

4. Transfer grilled London Broil Steaks to a cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes.

5. To carve: Holding knife at a 45° angle, cut steak across the grain into thin slices to serve.

4. Serve London Broil Steaks with reserved sauce.

GRILLED LONDON BROIL

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Marinating Time: 4 to 6 Hours
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready in: 4 hours and 20 Minutes
Makes 2 to 3 servings

Ingredients:
2 pounds of London Broil Steak (about 1-1/2 inch thick)
6 large cloves garlic
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup dry red wine

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients, except beef, in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

2. In a heavy-duty sealable plastic bag, combine the steak and the blended marinade. Seal bag, pressing out excess air. Place in a shallow dish and marinate in the refrigerator, turning the bag occasionally, for at least 4 hours.

3. Preheat grill to medium heat.

4. Remove steak from marinade allowing excess to drip off and place on an oiled grid.

5. Grill for 14-18 minutes for medium-rare (145°F internal temperature), turning once.

6. Remove steaks from grill and place on a cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes.

7. To Carve: Cut steaks across the grain into thin slices to serve.

DID YOU KNOW?: Haverhill Beef's meat packages are made from the fresh, high quality meats you would buy from our display cases. Never put up and frozen; always packed when ordered. The meat packages are suitable for freezing.

Haverhill Beef stocks its deli with the finest quality products which are brought in fresh several times a week. All our deli meats and cheeses are cut fresh to order so you get the freshest product with the best flavor.

Having a party, reunion or family gathering?

Try one of Haverhill Beef's deli platters. We have various sizes to fit every occasion. All of our deli platters are made fresh to order for guaranteed satisfaction.