Grilling Beyond the Main Course

Grilling Beyond the Main Course

by | May 31, 2018 | Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

With spring here andsummer around the corner, we begin to enjoy the pleasures that come with enjoying more of our outdoor spaces for the season. Whether quietly enjoying breakfast with a view, soaking up some sun over lunch, or hosting friends and family evening apps, outdoor entertaining is made simpler and more creative by exploring how to use our grill for beyond the main course!

Internationally acclaimed chef Andreas Rummel’s recent book Finger Food From The BBQ and Grill is the place to start! Published in collaboration with Napoleon Grills, and with chapter titles such as With Your Hands, On a Stick, On a Spoon, In a Roll, and With Your Fingers, you can start to guess how diverse the recipes in this book are. These amazingly creative finger food recipes take their inspiration from the vibrant street food scene and present ideas for rolls, wraps, waffles, gyros, quesadilla, hotdogs, ribs, kebabs, gyozas, tataki, wings, pancakes, pulled meats, toasted sandwiches and bruschetta, as well as salads, sauces and dips to accompany these dishes.

The recipes can make ideal starters, small snacks or form part of a multi-course menu. Each one shows how long it takes to prepare and there is a star system indicating the level of difficulty. Many recipes are easy, some are more sophisticated, but with the help of numerous tips and a little practice you will turn out success every time.

Chef Rummel, a celebrity speaker and guest chef at the 2018 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo in Nashville Tennessee, graciously provided two recipes, as a preview of those available in his book.

 

Coppa Baskets with Melon

Makes 12
Cooking Time: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: 1 of 3 stars

Ingredients
  • 12 thin slices coppa
  • 1 cantaloupe melon
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 8 mint leaves
Preparation

Make 12 balls out of aluminum foil with a diameter of about 4 cm. Cover with a coppa to create the shape of a small bowl. Place the balls with the coppa in the barbecue and cook indirectly for 45 minutes at about 150°C (preferably on the warming rack). This will dry out the coppa and make it crispy. In the meantime, peel and de-seed the mellon. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the flesh into fine strips. Mix the honey with the lemon juice and marinate the melon in mixture for 20 minutes. Cut the mint leaves into fine strips. Take the coppa out of the barbecue and leave it to cool. Arrange uniform amounts of melon strips inside the coppa bowls and sprinkle with the mint.­­­­

Mozzarella Sticks

Makes 8-12
Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
Difficulty: 1 of 3 stars

Ingredients
  • 4 slices toasting bread
  • 1-2 mozzarella cylinders, very cold
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper ­­­­(or Thai Seven Spice seasoning)
  • 4 bacon slices
  • 100ml barbecue sauce
Preparation

Cut the crust off the bread and roll the bread slices out flat with a rolling pin. Cut the cheese into four strips, lightly season with the cayenne pepper and roll tightly inside the bread. Gently flatten the bacon strips on a chopping board and wind one tightly around each of the bread and cheese rolls. Cook the sticks indirectly o­­­­n the barbecue with medium heat, turning several times, until the bacon is crispy. Finally, glaze the bacon with the sauce and cook for another 5 minutes with the lid open. Cut the mozzarella sticks into bite-sized pieces and serve.

The Pizza Oven: A New Addition to Outdoor Grilling

The Pizza Oven: A New Addition to Outdoor Grilling

by | May 31, 2018 | Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

Pizza ovens have erupted onto the grilling scene over the last few years. These products offer a fun spin on grilling and expand your cooking options during the grilling months. Rather than order delivery, why not buy fresh ingredients and make your own masterpiece at home? It’s a great way to get the family involved!

The range of products available now fit any budget and lifestyle – products that sit on top of the grill, stand-alone portable units, or built-in stationary units are all available. Whether you are a grilling fanatic or you’re a fair-weather griller, there’s a product that is right for you, and we promise you won’t be disappointed in the delicious food you create.

An Extension of Your Grill

Smaller grill-top products can offer you versatility while keeping the cost low. Some products sit on top of the grill and hold the pizza inside. Others require a pizza stone to cook right on the grill itself with a separate cover over top to keep the temperature high. These are often sold as a kit. Products are available for both classic gas grills or kettle charcoal grills. Cooking on a charcoal grill offers the option to cook with charcoal or wood chunks, offering you the smoky wood flavours you miss when cooking on a gas grill. These units typically range from $125-$300.

An Appliance All On Its Own

Stand-alone portable units are a great option if you don’t have a grill large enough for a pizza oven accessory, or if you want the option to use different fuels. These appliances can also be portable, making them easy to bring to a friend’s backyard party or on a camping trip. There are units that cook with wood chunks, charcoal, gas, or wood pellets, offering the results of an authentic pizza oven but that can fit within a modest budget. Additionally, they are great for cooking a variety of foods – whether it be pizza, meat, bread or desserts. Stand-alone smaller units range from $300-$750.

A Key Piece of Your Backyard

Large, built-in pizza ovens can be a true focal point in your backyard space. There are many masonry oven options or units that can be built into an outdoor kitchen. On summer nights when you are entertaining but are looking for an alternative to lighting the barbecue, these ovens can prepare delicious food and offer a lovely ambiance at the same time. As with the smaller units, there are a variety of fuel options. For those looking for an authentic pizza oven taste, a wood-fired appliance is the way to go. However, a gas appliance offers more convenience for homeowners. It is important to consider how much space you have available for a built-in oven before you move ahead to purchase and install. And keep in mind, you can’t take this style of unit with you if you move. Factory-built units that are installed in a backyard setting or in an outdoor kitchen typically range from $1,500-$5,000, while masonry units that are built on-site run $5,000-$10,000

Why not consider mixing it up this summer with a new grilling toy? With so many different products to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding the right product that fits your needs and your budget.

Designing the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

Designing the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

by | May 31, 2018 | Grilling & Outdoor Living, HPBAC Blog

Relax, socialize, eat… These daily activities take place largely outside in summer months of the year. Current barbecues have multiple functions and offer different cooking possibilities. With so many different cooking options, we can prepare the entire meal outdoors!

Creating a kitchen area around the grill allows the cook to enjoy family and guests while cooking – making the grill not only a utilitarian appliance, but also a social gathering place. There are a wide range of home kitchen appliances built for outdoor use. Fridge, ice machine, pantry, beer keg… everything you need.

Quality is Key

It’s important to choose quality appliances and products that are designed for outdoor use. Quartz or granite countertops are suitable for an outdoor kitchen, but a protective sealant must be applied every year to preserve the luster of the stone. Concrete also needs to be sealed regularly. Another option is a non-porous material such as neolith, not requiring any yearly maintenance. Appliances and materials of good quality are essential for the sustainability of an outdoor kitchen. Even with protective coverings for the winter months, appliances must be able to withstand extreme temperature ranges, so buying good quality appliances that are suitable for outdoor use is crucial. Specialty retailers generally offer good warranties.

Plan Ahead When Designing

Be sure to always check dimensions and sizing of new appliances in order to integrate them without trouble into the kitchen. Although you may be only installing a few features now, proactively think about what else you would like to add in the future so you have the space to do so. Accounting for counter space is crucial – side burners, sinks, portable appliances and a work area all take up counter space. If the area is small, you may want to stick to a grill, a prep area and a space for the trash. Installing a sink with running water available in your outdoor kitchen is very practical. However, this requires plumbing work and the convenience may not outweigh the costs, depending on the configuration of your outdoor area.

Smart and Stylish Design

Make your outdoor kitchen an extension of your home – both in use, but also in style and design. Be sure to choose colours and styles that flow with the rest of the home and consider tying in different features to match your indoor kitchen, whether it be your cabinet colour, backsplash or countertop. This will harmonize the feel of your home. Also, remember to consider the amount of direct sunlight your outdoor space receives – dark colours can become very hot. You may want to avoid a dark counter if your outdoor kitchen is exposed. It’s important to prioritize what is important for you and your family to make the most of your outdoor living area. Don’t be afraid to start by brainstorming your dream outdoor kitchen and working backwards to ensure you meet your budget.

Combat Climate Change Through Energy Conservation & Renewables

Combat Climate Change Through Energy Conservation & Renewables

by | Mar 30, 2017 | Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog

With continued innovation in the energy sector and government regulation being put in place in the fight against climate change, Canadians are becoming more aware of the ways we can help to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

Wood is Good

Choosing to burn locally-sourced, seasoned wood as a source of heat in an efficient appliance can be a great way to both reduce your dependence on the power grid and to reduce your home’s emissions. The Canadian hearth industry has continued to develop innovative products that substantially reduce particulate matter emissions which contribute to air quality concerns. Advanced technology, certified wood stoves can require 1/3 less wood to generate the same amount of heat as an old uncertified stove, saving homeowners both fuel and money. If you’re interested in learning more about best wood burning practices, visit the EPA’s Burn Wise website for all the information you need!

The fact is that localized air quality issues associated with wood burning are almost always caused by old, outdated wood stoves or older technology outdoor wood boilers. New technology wood stoves are a world apart from their older counterparts.

HPBAC promotes wood stove changeout programs across Canada. These programs help retire old, uncertified stoves and replace them with cleaner-burning, more efficient EPA/CSA-certified stoves by offering incentives. Wood stove changeouts are hugely beneficial, especially when replacing stoves made prior to 1992, when wood stoves had limited control on smoke emissions. By changing out an old unit for a new certified stove and using good wood burning practices, homeowners can reduce particulate emissions by over 90%.

Heating With Gas

Using natural gas as a fuel source can be a cozy and convenient option for space heating. Natural gas freestanding stoves, inserts and fireplaces are easy to use and there are units designed to be excellent supplementary heaters within a home. Zone heating can reduce your fuel consumption which saves money on your heating bill and reduces your carbon footprint.

A central furnace cycles on and off several times an hour and heats your entire house – even unoccupied rooms – wasting money and energy. Turn on your supplemental gas hearth appliance and turn down the thermostat for the central furnace and save. Studies show that zone heating solutions can provide energy savings of 20-40%.

To ensure you are operating your hearth appliance to best serve the environment be sure to schedule annual maintenance. Seasonal inspection and cleaning is crucial to ensure clean operation and safety. No matter what fuel source you are using, having your unit serviced and cleaned at least once a year will reduce its emissions and give you peace of mind knowing you are being environmentally responsible and safe.

Take Advantage of Savings

Within Canada there are currently several jurisdictions with rebate incentive programs for hearth products. Follow HPBAC on Facebook or visit our Woodstove Changeouts page for alerts and information of new programs that could benefit you.

Wood Burning Is Virtually Carbon Neutral

There are other tangible benefits that we as Canadians should recognize as being derived from residential wood heating. Wood is a renewable resource that does not contribute to global warming. The major cause of global warming is the increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide that has been trapped far beneath the surface of the earth for millions of years is now being released through our use of fossil fuels (natural gas, oil). As we increase the efficiency of the products we use, we reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, lessening the impact. The carbon dioxide released through combustion of wood is equal to the amount the tree has absorbed as it grows. Providing forests are managed in a sustainable way, which is almost always the case in our country, the amount of carbon locked up in the forests remains the same. Wisely managed, this represents a huge and immensely valuable fuel resource for Canada in perpetuity. It is completely renewable, virtually carbon neutral and is independent from the whims of foreign governments. While wood and other biomass cannot fulfill all of our future energy requirements, it would be wise to consider them as important components in our future energy mix. Not only is this energy source independent, it also represents tens of millions of dollars in local, largely rural economies.

Hearth Safety: Detectors & Alarms

Hearth Safety: Detectors & Alarms

by | Mar 15, 2017 | Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog

Smoke Alarms

Although there are several different kinds of smoke alarms, all are effective and can be electrically connected, battery-powered or both. Having battery back-up is a smart idea especially if you operate your fireplace during power outages. The alarm should be installed on the ceiling of your home in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Alarms should be installed near all bedrooms and on every storey of a building, including the basement. All alarms should be tested once a month and have their batteries changed at least once a year. Smoke alarms typically require replacement at least every 10 years to ensure they do not become worn out or faulty. Always follow the manufacturer’s manual on upkeep and operation.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Carbon monoxide is a clear, colourless, odourless gas that is created as a by-product when carbon-based fuels, including wood, propane and natural gas, are incompletely burned. It can cause severe injury if inhaled in even small amounts, and can be deadly. To ensure the safety of your family, have all fuel-burning appliances inspected by a qualified service professional at least once a year. In addition to proper use and service of your appliances, CO alarms should be installed near all bedrooms and on all storeys of a building. CO alarms should be certified to the CSA/CGA 6.19 or UL 2034 standard.

If a CO alarm ever goes off, always react by leaving the building and calling your local fire department for assistance. Follow the manufacturer’s manual for alarm upkeep and when to buy a new alarm.

Other Things to Consider

Keep a fire extinguisher in your home in case you ever experience a fire. Your extinguisher should be labelled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, and should be serviced and inspected regularly. It should be stored near an escape route, away from potential fire hazards, and recharged after use.

The Benefits of Radiant Heat in Your Home

The Benefits of Radiant Heat in Your Home

by | Mar 15, 2017 | Heating Your Home, HPBAC Blog

Radiant heat is a form of heat energy we are all familiar with – it’s the type of energy we experience from the sun’s rays. You can feel the difference in heat between standing directly in the sunshine on a hot day versus standing in the shade. The heat you feel while standing in direct sunlight is radiant heat, and it’s the same heat you experience when standing in front of a fireplace. Radiant heat is the most comfortable and immediately warming form of heat energy. It travels in straight lines, warming all objects in its path. While other forms of heat energy rely on air particles or solid objects to transfer heat, radiant heat transfers heat energy directly to objects.

While a fireplace also provides convective heat, there is a significant benefit to radiant heat that you don’t experience from a furnace or other central heating systems. Make sure to keep this in mind when you’re trying to keep your home nice and cozy on cold winter nights. Just turning on your fireplace or starting a fire in your wood stove can have an immediate and substantial impact on how warm you feel in your home – specifically zone heating the central living spaces of your home. If you find your home to be drafty and not well sealed, installing a fireplace in the main living spaces of your home – or even your bedroom – can make a significant difference to your comfort level. It is hard to dispute that there is anything quite like the warmth you experience from sitting in front of the fireplace!