Book Review: How to Grill

How to Grill - The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques
Steven Raichlen
2001 - Workman Publishing

OK. I admit it. I'm a barbeque snob. I know the difference between barbecue and grilling. I know what it means to barbeque, to hot smoke, to cold smoke and to grill. And I take those definitions seriously. Probably a little too seriously.

Because of my self admitted snobbery and preference for barbecue over the more plebian art of grilling, I usually don't pay attention to "grilling" cookbooks. I've been known to dismiss them simply because the word "grilling" was on the cover.

Only recently have I come around and loosened my snobbery and begun to seriously read the grill cookbooks. So you need forgive me that this review is so late. "How to Grill" was published way back in 2001. I picked up "How to Grill" the other day at my first visit to the Christmas Tree Shops, along with some other cookbooks that I'll review later. I only paid $5.99 for this beautifully illustrated book.

This is a great book for the beginning griller. It has tons of recipes all fully illustrated with some amazing color pictures. One of my favorite picture series is on steaks. Most, if not all, of the popular cuts of steak are shown in full color. And it has photographs explaining the poke test. What's the poke test you say? It's a way to tell how done you steak is by poking it with your finger. Who needs thermometers?

The book covers everything from appetizers to desserts. Steaks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, pizza; you name it, if it can be cooked on a grill Mr. Raichlen has provided a recipe for it.

"How to Grill" also strongly focuses on cooking with charcoal. Most recipes include instructions on how to properly build a charcoal fire for cooking. This alone has won this book a place in my heart.

I strongly recommend this book, especially at the amazing discount price of $5.99 for the beginning griller. Experienced cooks can even pick up some new tricks and inspirations. I know I learned a few things in the section on how to grill a whole lamb.