Gourmet Grilling

Directions

Preheat grill to medium-high. Peel back the husks of the corn, but do not remove them; remove and discard the silk. Using butcher’s twine, tie the husks together, creating a “handle” (see page 52). Brush or spray each ear of corn with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine chili powder and a dash of salt and pepper. Set aside. Grill the corn until nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Before serving, spoon Greek yogurt over the corn, sprinkle with the chili powder mixture, Parmesan, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Grilling Tips

For the sweetest grilled corn, prepare it the same day you buy it, before the sugar in the kernels converts to starch. Rotate corncobs every two minutes as you grill them, to char all sides evenly.

Ingredients for Pork

Serves 4

• 1 cup Sriracha hot chili sauce, plus extra for serving
• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 lbs. pork belly, rind removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Sea salt 
• Lime wedges for serving
   

Ingredients for Salad

Serves 4 

• 4 Lebanese cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber), peeled, seeded, finely chopped 
• 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. grated palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 Tsp. grated ginger 
• Cracked black pepper

Directions

Preheat grill to high. In a small bowl, mix Sriracha and oil. Set aside. Thread 6 pork cubes onto each skewer. Cook skewers for 8 minutes, turning regularly. Brush pork with Sriracha mixture and cook, turning and brushing twice more, for 4 minutes or until charred and cooked through. Make cucumber salad. In a small bowl, mix vinegar, sugar, ginger, and pepper. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Add cucumber and toss well. Top skewers with salad and salt. Serve with lime wedges and extra Sriracha.

Grilling Tips

Flat metal skewers will prevent your meat or veggies from rotating on the skewer as you turn them. If using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Directions

Preheat grill to medium-high. Lightly brush the ears of corn and the romaine lettuce on all sides with the grape-seed or olive oil. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and minced garlic; toss to coat, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to marinate. When the grill is hot, brush the grates with olive oil. Place the corn directly on the grill and cook for 8 minutes, turning regularly as it chars. Make the salad dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, blend in water 1 tablespoon at a time; season with salt if needed. When corn is done, remove from the grill and set aside to cool. Add the halved romaine hearts to the grill, sliced side down, and grill for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly charred and wilting. Remove from the grill and arrange cut-side up on a large platter. Cut the kernels of corn from the cob with a knife, and sprinkle them over the romaine. Spoon the marinated tomatoes over the corn, discarding any juices that have collected in the bowl. Drizzle the salad with dressing and serve.

Grilling Tips

Before grilling lettuce (firm varieties like romaine, endive, and radicchio work best) rinse and dry well as damp lettuce will steam on the grill, resulting in limp leaves. Cut lettuce heads in half but leave the root ends intact to hold the leaves together as you grill.