BBQ TIPS FROM WORLD CHAMPION BBQ PITMASTER CHRIS LILLY plus RECIPE

I’ve been grilling since I was a kid… duh, I’m from the South. We all think our sauce is the best and we all think even if we can’t beat those television chefs in the kitchen, we would smoke them on the grill. J We want our bark just right, the perfect degree of doneness, and those highly prized grill marks. As much as I know about grilling, I recently got some higher education. I got the chance to attend The Q, a gigantic beachside grilling event at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival where 40 teams from across the country competed for annual BBQ bragging rights. This is one of the biggest and certainly one of the most fun barbecue events of the year. While there, I got a chance to pick up some tips from meat masters Chris Santos, Michael Symon, and one of the most celebrated BBQ chefs in the country, Chris Lilly, just in time for opening day of grilling season.

Chef Chris Lilly of Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ in Decatur, Alabama has won every major BBQ championship there is. Chef Lilly won Grand Champion three times and is a seven time category champion at Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cookoff, Reserve Grand Champion at the legendary Jack Daniel’s World Championship BBQ Invitational, Grand Champion at the American Royal Invitational Barbecue Championship and many prestigious barbeque titles. I watched Chris create his magic during the Bubble Q event going as far as to meet him out at the pit at 4:00 AM to help him prep. I quizzed him on his technique, which he’s shared in his new book, Fire & Smoke: A Pitmaster’s Secrets. (Clarkson Potter)  Between the two of us, we’ve got you covered for all of your backyard barbeques and parties this summer.

Here are our top tips for firing up the grill for the first barbecue of the season:

CLEAN. For your first cook-out of the season, clean your grill really well. According to Chris, it is essential to also use a wire brush to clean and then oil the grill grates no matter what kind of grill you’re using. Chris also recommends starting the grill several days before you plan to cook to make sure it is working properly.

PREP. Make sauces, rubs, condiments, or side dishes in the days leading up to the party. The more you have prepped in advance, the more you can relax and enjoy the fun.

ZONE OUT. Chris says to set up two zones for cooking, no matter what grilling method you are using: gas, wood, or charcoal. Create one zone for direct cooking and one for indirect cooking, says our pro. Use the direct zone to sear and seal in the juices and then move it to the indirect heat to finish cooking.

PUT THE TOP DOWN. Chris says when you close the lid on your grill, you are also baking the food so you are able to grill faster without burning. For thin cuts of meat, you won’t need to close the grill lid, according to Chris but for a thick filet, he recommends this technique: Sear the meat over direct heat for about four minutes per side. Move it to indirect heat and close the lid. Use a meat thermometer to check for the perfect degree of doneness.

TAKE THE TEMP. Chris recommends always using a meat thermometer. His favorite is a digital instant-read thermometer like Therma-Pen. Get a good thermometer and go by the recommended internal temperature for the cut you are grilling. This is a foolproof way to achieve the most consistent results. Remember that the internal temperature of your food will increase even after you remove it from the grill.

TOOLS. Other grilling essentials include a pair of extra-long tongs, a fire extinguisher and a spray bottle of water. A cutting board is essential. Transfer grilled meat to a clean one to rest before carving or slicing. Be careful not to cross-contaminate and clean your cutting board thoroughly if you used it to prep raw meat.

WOOD YOU? Chris uses a lot of wood when he’s at the restaurant or in a competition but when he’s grilling at home, he uses a combination of Kingsford charcoal and hickory chips. Make sure to soak the chips before you use them so they don’t burn up immediately. 

BE CREATIVE. “Don’t think you can just grill steaks; grill anything you would cook in your indoor kitchen. My new book has recipes for everything from okra to dessert. I even have a chapter dedicated to cocktails. Grilled fruit makes incredible cocktails like sangria, margaritas, mojitos, and wait until you try grilled lemonade or grilled apple cider” says the BBQ Guru.

ASK FOR HELP. Chris always asks his family and friends to help him with grilling duties on party day; that way they feel more involved.

Get Chris' Grilled Peach Sangria recipe from Fire and Smoke...

RECIPE: EASY THREE INGREDIENT WHIPPING CREAM BISCUITS

These are fast, easy and delicious biscuits that work for breakfast or even as a dessert when you serve them toasted with a scoop of ice cream and some fresh fruit. I often use them for strawberry shortcake because they're fast and easy.

NOTE: If you don't have self-rising flour, you can use all-purpose flour. Simply add 3 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt to 2 cups all-purpose flour.

EASY WHIPPING CREAM BISCUITS

Prep Time: 15 minutes   Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 cups self-rising flour plus 2 tablespoons, reserved

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Pinch salt

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix all ingredients together just until moistened. Using the reserved flour, dust the work surface. Turn the dough out. Knead 2 times only, folding the dough over on top of itself. Flour the rolling pin and roll out the dough to about ½ inch thickness. Flour a biscuit cutter and cut out circles or cut the dough into squares. Place on prepared sheet. Make sure the edges barely touch as you place them on the pan. That way, they will help each other rise. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes about a dozen.

WEDDINGS: GUEST ARRIVAL BAG SUGGESTIONS

MAKING GUESTS FEEL WELCOME FOR YOUR WEDDING WEEKEND...

You’ve received the RSVP’s and blocked off the rooms at the hotel. But to really make the friends and family who traveled from near and far to witness your vows feel warm and fuzzy upon arrival, welcome them with some special items in their room to make their stay in your city more fun and fulfilling:

A few of my favorite ideas for favors or for guest arrivals include Starbuck's cards, LL Bean or Lands End monogrammed totes, mini Champagne bottles, local transit cards, or local favorites like Garrett's Popcorn in my other hometown of Chicago or Peanut Depot roasted peanuts in my hometown of Birmingham.

A gift card for the coffee shop on the corner – who wants to go without their grande latte mochaccino fix on the morning of the nuptials?

A snack pack assortment of locally made items that you just can't get anywhere else. In my hometown of Birmingham, that would include Golden Flake potato chips and Milo's Sweet Tea along with some Good People Beer and maybe some fresh, hot peanuts from the Peanut Depot. In Chicago, of course that would include Garrett's Popcorn. Enough said.

Maps, coupons or recommendations to nearby shopping, family attractions, and restaurants of interest (tailor it for each guest for an extra touch!)

In larger cities like Chicago, public transit maps, tickets, and local parking permits for zoned areas make stays less hectic.

Bottled water, small bottles of champagne and healthy or homemade snacks like cookies, muffins, or granola.

Ibuprofen, Gatorade, and other hangover remedies for the morning after the party, especially if you opted for an extra hour of open bar at the reception!

Toys, puzzles, a DVD or something special for the kids.

A playlist for the weekend with some of your favorite song. If the wedding is in Mexico, get your guests going with “Tequila." If the nuptials are in Birmingham, add “Sweet Home Alabama!” Other ideas: your college fight song, “Going to the Chapel” or even the song you'll play for your first dance at the reception.

A personalized tote pulls it all together. Allow enough time to order from a company specializing in monogrammed totes like Lands’ End or LL Bean. Embroider the totes with initials or a quote that embodies the feeling of the weekend.  I like "I get by with a little help from my friends."

Whatever you greet your guests with upon their arrival, remember that information is crucial to an organized and enjoyable weekend. After all the trouble they’ve gone through to help you celebrate this milestone in your life, they deserve a few special extras to make them feel loved and appreciated.