Memorial Day Grilling

There are a few things I don't like about living in NYC.  I'd say close to number one on the list is not being able to have a yard and then, of course, a dedicated area to serve my male desire to light fires and cook my dinner alfresco like the yuppy caveman I am.   

Instead, I get to cook my summer dinners in an air conditioned apartment while looking forward to the few times I'll get to grill over the course of the summer season.  This Memorial Day was one of those rare times and it was worth all of my "pain" and "suffering".

You'll notice my favorite Weber grill.   Forget about BTUs, fancy yuppie chrome and easy clean up. 

I enjoy flavor with my Q, so while I am yet to master wood, I grill with charcoal.  I stare blankly at those lucky grill owners who claim that gas grills are easier to deal with.  Weekends are made for backyards and grills - 5 minutes of extra time is so worth it to me.

This weekend I did what I tend to always do - grill lobster.  You can read about my preferred method here.  Nothing like butter, mint and lobster with some of that nice charcoal flavor.  I also grilled avocado and nectarines, which is a nice combination.

I then wanted to do a hunk o' meat, cooked on low heat for most of the afternoon.  But I didn't have as much time as needed, so instead I went with a technique I haven't experimented with before - the cedar plank. 

After soaking the plank, all I did was dust my fresh piece of halibut with green curry, put it on the plank and then placed them on the grill (I also added a tomato, as you can see).  Unfortunately, the green curry sort of overwhelmed the delicate cedar plank flavors, so that was a good lesson learned. 

It was very tasty, however.  I grilled some corn, jalapenos and scallions for a salad to go with the fish.   

Can someone invite me over and let me BBQ for them all day? I need to grill a marinated leg of lamb or maybe a flank steak.  I have limited experience but I'll definitely promise to grill lobster and bring some good wine (and beer).  Pretty please?

Comments

[ann]

you're going to hate me joe... i got to go to a whole lamb roast over the weekend!
the wee lambie was a tad undercooked, but who cares!
have you ever grilled out in any of the parks? i think this summer is the year i'm going to elbow my way onto a grill over at the east river park, fear of germs be damned!

[joe]

damn you! very jealous.

i have not gone to the parks to grill but have thought about it frequently. seems like a hassle but maybe i'll stop bitching and just do it!

[s'kat]

If you bring lobster, you can grill with me anytime- we actually have three of varying sizes.

[jenjen]

wow that's a serious hunk of fish you have there!
I love having BBQs, its winter right now here so not much of that going on but can't wait for summer.

[Erica]

I'm having withdrawl here... I love your blog and am awaiting new inspiration!

[jenblossom]

If you don't mind coming out to Bushwick, we may be able to work something out... ;)

[Jane]

Very nice lobster tail, make me want to go out and get some.