'Tis the Season

Spring has finally arrived in our little neck of the Midwest and it’s time to break out the grill. Wikipedia has a fascinating description of the meaning of BBQ around the world; some of this is highly entertaining. I love to grill because with it's little work and even less cleanup. As an added bonus, my husband is usually in charge of running the grill, which gets me off the hook for the majority of the cooking.

Men In Aprons is a website devoted exclusively to grilling and the men who love it. In fact, until recently, grilling has been the express purview of men and often one of the last bastions of “Manliness”. But increasingly, women are stepping up to the grill as a main part of the cooking experience. Elizabeth Karmel of Girls At The Grill has a terrific website devoted to all things grilled for women and men, from novice to expert. I highly recommend her site to anyone who’s ever been confused or intimidated by their BBQ.

One of my favorite recipes is Apple Sweet BBQ Chicken. It’s simple to make a works well with Citrus Grilled Vegetables and Grilled Baked Potatoes.

Add some apple juice to the barbecue sauce for an even sweeter taste.

Ingredients

1/2 C. barbecue sauce
1/4 C. frozen apple juice concentrate
3 lb. cut-up frying chicken (up to 3 1/2 lb.) -- skin removed if desired Heat grill.

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine barbecue sauce and apple juice concentrate; blend well. Set aside. When ready to grill, place chicken, skin side down, on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4-6 inches from medium coals. Cook 25-35 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear, turning often and brushing frequently with sauce during last 15 minutes of cooking time. Bring any remaining sauce to a boil; serve with chicken.

Enjoy the season and enjoy your grill!