Big Recipe Contest + Cookout at the Ranch

The sun is shining, the grass is turning greener, and summer is just around the corner! I need to go wax my surfboard.

Except I live in Oklahoma.

Never mind.

Ahh…summer. To me it means gardening. Tomatoes. Sunflowers. Getting up at 4:00 to get the kids ready to work cattle…

Wait. Maybe I'm not ready for summer.

 

Summer also means it's time to fire up the grill! And after the great time we had last summer, I'm working with Bush's Grillin' Beans again on another awesome grilling recipe contest.

First, I'll be sharing a handful of new grilling recipes here on PW Cooks.

Second, and more exciting, I'm having a recipe contest to find four of the very best grilled entrée recipes in the west (or the east…or the north…or anywhere.) Winners of the recipe contest (along with a guest of their choice) will come to the ranch for a weekend this June, prepare their winning recipes on camera…then we'll all party together and throw a cookout on the ranch.

I'll do the dishes!

It'll be a total blast. We all had such a good time (and ate so much great food) last summer. Here's the link to the winning recipes and videos from last year's contest:

 

Summer 2010 Winning Recipes & Cookout Videos

It really was such a fun time.

I loved it.

 

CONTEST DETAILS

Starting today, submit your very best original recipe for grilled chicken, steak, chops, shrimp, etc. in the Comments section of this post. (Note: No burgers or hot dogs, please.) Recipes should be relatively easy to prepare and use accessible, widely-available ingredients, and be served with one of the seven flavors of Bush's Grillin' Beans (Note: Please mention which flavor should be served with your recipe.) Four winners will be chosen to travel to the ranch in June with the guest of their choice, prepare their recipes on camera, and enjoy a cookout in the Oklahoma countryside.

 

SCHEDULE

April 2 – May 4: Submit your grilled entrée recipes! To submit, enter your grilling recipe and favorite flavor of Bush's Grillin' Beans in the Comments section of this post. See here for choices.

**IMPORTANT: Please read Recipe Requirements in the Official Rules.**

May 17: Four winners will be announced. Arrangements will be made for the four winners (and one guest each) to travel to the ranch for the video production and the cookout.

June 2: The cookout! Winners prepare their recipes on camera, and then we'll all enjoy a cookout on the ranch.

June 2: We all have a blast.

June 2: We all ride horses.

June 2: Ree does the dishes.

So if you're able to spend a weekend in Oklahoma this June, share your favorite grilled entrée recipe for a chance to win!

I'll post a new recipe tomorrow…but to kick things off, here are a few tips before you fire up the grill.

 

10 GRILLIN' TIPS

1. Go Big, Baby! Grill thicker cuts of meat. If you need to grill a thinner cut (e.g., flank steak) be prepared to grill the meat for a very short time, around a minute or two per side.

2. Soak wooden skewers in water before threading chicken, steak, pork, veggies, or shrimp. This will help keep the skewers from totally disintegrating over the open flame!

3. Use long-handled tools and heavy duty gloves to protect your precious forearms from the blaze.

4. Lose the Fat: Trim meats of excess fat. Marbling throughout the meat is fine, of course, but cut off excess chunks of fat to avoid spattering. (My dogs love this tip.)

5. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your cuts of meat (especially chicken and pork) reach the right internal temperature. Say goodbye to the guesswork!

6. Don't Hate – Marinate. Marinate chicken, steak and chops ahead of time to ensure extra scrumptiousness. This'll ensure not only lots of flavor, but more moisture, too. (Be sure to refrigerate as they're marinating.)

7. Never leave your wingman. I mean grill. If you're grilling for a party, it's easy to get distracted and get swept up in conversation. But if you're manning the grill, man the grill, man. It'll ensure your food doesn't burn…but it'll also ensure any kids on the scene won't accidentally get hurt.

8. Dress in cool clothes and have a bottle of water nearby. In the heat of summer, standing over a hot grill is like standing in an inferno. If you fainted, it would be a total buzzkill.

9. Use the grill to heat up sides in a heavy, ovenproof pan. Take advantage of the indirect heat on the sides of the grill to heat up pots of beans to serve with your grilled main courses. Just make sure your pot can handle the heat!

10. Keep it clean, baby! Cleaning your grill regularly will ensure that your cuts of meat will always taste good and that your life—at least your grilling life—will run smoothly.

Feel free to start submitting your recipes now! Be sure to read the recipe requirements here.