Outdoor Recipe Ideas for Backyard Kitchen Lovers

The outdoor cooking experience means something different for everyone. But we're going to focus on your backyard kitchen as an extension of your home's indoor kitchen. I generally do some of the cooking outside when I want to get that wood-fired taste on my food, and other things I do inside. Too much smoke can be overwhelming. Of course, a lot of you probably use gas grills and don't really know what I'm talking about. Get a charcoal grill for pete's sake! I just gave you a great link to check out.

The Breakdown of Outdoor Recipe Ideas

I'm going to assume you're more like me than not. So, that means that when you decide to cook outside, it's not because you think it's better to bake cookies on the grill (although, they don't taste good that way). So here are some general things that I like to cook outside that just don't cut it when done in the oven or on the stove.

• Smoking Meat - Folks, liquid smoke just isn't going to cut it. If you've ever had true barbecue (BBQ), you know what I'm talking about. For those that haven't, this is one of the best discoveries you can make in your life. Ribs, Pork Shoulders and Chicken all benefit from this approach to cooking. The process doesn't fit nicely into today's hectic world. But if you can sit back and relax one Saturday, you may find that you get addicted to the process, the smell and the tasty results. You can find some good outdoor recipe ideas here as well.
  
  Smoking food involves a little bit of preparation. Sometimes it's brining a chicken, but most of the time it's finding the correct dry rub to season the meat. After that, you just need to have a barbecue smoker that can cook for long periods of time at low temperatures; usually around 225°F. This process slow cooks the meat, which ends up coming out juicer, more tender and also carries a distinct pink smoke ring on the out most layer. Yummy.

• Grilling Meat - I've always enjoyed grill meat on my gas grill. That is, until I re-discovered charcoal grills. Unfortunately for me, my Dad was so inept at using the charcoal grill that I was completely turned off at a young age. Having made a grilling turn in my life, my gas grill is now used for purposes like storing grilling accessories.
  
  Grilling meat on a gas grill, to me, is more like cooking it in the oven. While those Flavorizer bars try to impart some extra flavor, they are nothing like what you get over charcoal, whether natural lump or briquettes. If you're going to grill, charcoal grills are inexpensive, so at least have one handy. It doesn't matter which outdoor recipe ideas you're using, cooking them over charcoal adds a dimension that is hard to explain.

• Baking Pizzas, Etc. - Have you ever been to a pizza joint that actually has a wood-fired oven? If you have, I need not explain. There is something unique about the smoky flavor your get when you cook a pizza this way. It's natural. It's mouthwatering. It's my favorite way to do it.
  
  While you can cook a pizza on any outdoor grill, I recommend charcoal and I further recommend the Kamado style grills like the Big Green Egg, the Primo or even the Bubba Keg grill I mentioned earlier (it's much less expensive). These are truly performing appliances since they can smoke low and slow, grill at high temperatures, or act like an oven in the middle range. Best of all, the use natural lump charcoal, which is simply the best fuel you can use for any cooking.

• Grilling & Roasting Vegetables - If you're going to cook outside, you may want to take care of everything all at once. This means you'll need to figure out how to cook vegetables. Yea, I know all those fancy gas grills come with side burners where you can boil or steam your vegetables. How about roasting them on the grill instead? Even better, make sure you do it on a charcoal grill. I'm sure you'll find some outdoor recipes you like.
  
  The one bit of advice I would give you is not to overwhelm your guests with too much smoky flavor. If every dish you serve imparts smoke, you may get a few raised eyebrows. I know that I've experienced that myself. On the other hand, don't be afraid to cook your vegetables a little bit differently.

Fish and Seafood Recipes

If I'm cooking outdoors, it's on the grill....a charcoal grill. And I make no exception for fish and seafood. If you're cooking outdoors for the sake of not being inside, you need to broaden your horizons just a bit! I've got plenty of outdoor recipe ideas for fish and seafood cooked on the grill. I've also got a number of favorite websites I go to in search of excellent ideas. You'll find both right here!

My friend in cuisine, Liz Alderson, has a fantastic website called Find a Seafood Recipe. You'll find a lot of great ideas there for both indoor and outdoor cooking. One of my favorite recipes is on her grills and barbecue recipe page and I know you'll find some great recipe ideas there as well.

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