Summer is in the Air

What a beautiful day it was today here in Sonoma County, California. The temperature was in the low 80's and no fog or wind to spoil our evening outdoors. Perfect.

Who wants to cook in the kitchen when the warm spring weather is beckoning us outside? Not me. Fortunately, my sister-in-law taught me a complete meal BBQ trick. I employ this trick ad nauseum during the summer months.

If you live in a place with 1/2 way decent weather, I recommend getting an outdoor gas grill. Gas grills heat faster than regular coal ones. They are also easy to maintain. We have one, and we use it almost nightly during the summer. We are even known to use it in the winter when it's down pouring rain. My brother, who lives in northern Minnesota, will even use his grill when it's -40* in blizzard white-out conditions. My point is, there is no excuse...

Anyway..... my simple meal trick is this:

Take some chicken pieces or tri-tip steaks and marinate them in your favorite marinade in the fridge overnight. We use Greta's marinade, which is available at Costco. Again, don't knock yourself out trying to find Greta's, you can use some Italian salad dressing or whatever oil and spices you have on hand that sounds like an appetizing marinade to you.

ALWAYS BRING YOUR MEAT TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE COOKING OR GRILLING. You won't believe how that little trick will make the meat so much better.

Pre-heat your grill.

Take a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray. Place some cut up onions chunks on the bottom of the foil, followed by cut up quartered potatoes and carrots. Drizzle some olive oil on top along with sprinkling on your favorite seasonings. Wrap up foil around vegetables and seal shut.

Place foil package of vegetables on the center of the pre-heated grill for 10 minutes.

After ten minutes, move the foil vegetable packet to the higher rack. If your grill does not have an upper rack, simply place the vegetable foil packet to the side of the grill to continue cooking.

Grill your meat as usual.

By the time your meat is done grilling, your vegetable foil packet should be ready to eat with tender veggies.

You will have your meat, potato, and vegetable with absolutely NO cleanup. YEAH!!!!!!!!