Get Your Grill On

I’m sure by now most of your friends, family, and co-workers probably know about your obsession with BBQ, and mastering the flame.

If you have children ( and if they’re like mine) they want to “be like daddy”, “ba-b-coo toooooo”, or - maybe they have some other way to work themselves into what you are doing. For my daughter, it was her competitive side coming out – she watched kids get their names called for cooking in a Kid’s Que – and she was hooked. She wanted to cook with me, and she wanted to learn how to be in a Kid’s Que. At 4 years old, she was too young to compete, but that didn’t stop me from fostering her desire to master the grill.

Here’s a few tips on how to share your love of BBQ with your children, and allow them to feel the excitement, and passion you do. In general, cooking with your children is a great way to teach them lots of great skills that will transfer to other aspects of their lives.

Plan ahead. Not rocket science, I know, but KEY! Before you ever think about lighting a grill… Set the expectations and walk through the process. Every little step. Chances are your little one has not paid attention to any of the prep work that goes on, just the few minutes of glory prior to pulling off that perfectly cooked meat.

1. We start with choosing what is going to get grilled… Wings? Burgers? Brats? What do they like best – let them choose ( from your list of a few easy items).

2. What do we want to season with… Simple seasoned salt? Choose a special rub (by tasting them with your li’l one). My daughter loves mixing rub. (Emeril has some in his Children’s cookbooks, such as “Baby Bam”).

3. How will we cook it? Tour of the grill and tools, Charcoal, or gas, and safety rules… Then, cooking details. Searing, indirect cooking, use of smoke, etc. Don’t forget to address the amount of time it will take to go through the process.

Set them up for Success. It’s time to cook. Let’s make sure they succeed! Have the chosen meat ready and the spices they need handy. Make sure you have table space for them, and all the tools they need ( Ziplocs, paper towels, latex gloves, etc.) Adhere to the plan you set with them. Children are creatures of habit!

I can do it, Dad! Ok, lets watch them season… rub, and bag it! ( congrats are in order) Fire up the grill for them, and show them the temp they want to start cooking at. (Dad, the grill is ready!!!) Ok, Open the lid – and set your coals as desired. Let them cook – talk with pointers, but let them use the skills you reviewed. Most of the time they will surprise you with their efforts! Praise often… it does wonders for motivation level, and it lets them know what they are doing right.

The final result will be something they are proud of. A nicely charred burger, a nice golden chicken wing…. And when you, or a neighbor/friend says. “wow this is awesome”… then they are hooked. Nothing is more exciting than that feeling of accomplishment.

On the competitive side of things, If they get to compete, they will love the ribbon or trophy they get…and make lots of new friends. Sometimes they even get a check, just like Dad!

Good luck, and enjoy the memories you’re going to make.