#grillmelean #mytexasplate #smokeandfirewithlisa
Grill Me Lean is about following my intense passion for cooking outdoors with live fire and smoke as well as healthy sides while paving my way to a healthier lifestyle for me. This is my journey and I will be posting recipes of my live fire and grilling creations and maybe you will find my recipes something you will incorporate into your lifestyle of eating healthy or just because you like what you see.
Although it’s hell hot here in Texas, it’s never quite too hot to grill. I have always loved to grill but I am now taking it to a whole new dimension of backyard cooking, grilling and smoking.
Once I moved here, I quickly became obsessed with smoking and grilling inspired by the Texas culinary scene and have acquired several of these fabulous backyard cooking devices to see what I can do. I am becoming a backyard grill master and master of smoke.
I have a Traeger pellet smoker, an electric smoker by Smokin Tex and a custom-made 20 X 42 offset smoker on the way in a few months. It’s gonna be a beast! I also have a gas grill, Blackstone flat top grill— and as mentioned above— a 48 x 30 Lonestar Grillz Santa Maria Grill with Argentinian grilling grates and a PKGrill 300 with a Santa Maria insert.
Needless to say, my goal is create fabulous meals from the smoker and grill inspired by Texas keeping in mind that I need to nourish myself and family in a healthy way with inspired meals without sacrificing flavor, quality and imagination.
I LOVE MY SANTA MARIA GRILLS!
Santa Maria Grills are magical. My grilling passion was ignited when I got my first Santa Maria grill.
I have two Santa Maria Grills now.
One grill is a massive grill- all tricked out -that was custom-made here in Texas by Lonestar Grillz and I have a smaller custom-made Santa Maria Grill insert that fits perfectly into my PK300 grill Aaron Franklin Series.
Both are awesome grills and I loving them both is an understatement. Sometimes I want to cook big and sometimes I want to cook small. Now, I have alternatives. Plus, the PK300 grill is amazing on it’s on as a charcoal grill and can actually be used for a smoker or for longer, slower cooks as well.
SKIRT STEAK VS OUTSIDE SKIRT STEAK
What is a skirt steak? This cut of beef is one of the most flavorful cuts which are marinated and made into fajitas, tacos and stir fries. It absorbs marinades well, cooks quickly and is readily available in most groceries. Outside skirt can be found at speciality meat markets and not found as easily in grocery stores since most is sold to restaurants.
Both come from slightly different areas along the rib and diaphragm of the beef.
Simply put, there is a difference in texture and flavor. Outside skirt steak is slightly thicker and a more tender cut than the inside skirt steak and the outside skirt steak is more beefy and flavorful than inside skirt steak.
Use whatever cut you like and what you can find. It will all be delicious.
Because I needed to season both Santa Maria Grills, I fired up and cooked on both! because…..why not? And, I had the outside skirts in the freezer just begging to be cooked and we needed a tasty yet lighter meal for our waist-lines and it’s also hard to eat heavy meals during these hot summer.
I often serve lots of grilled vegetables and vegetable salads as light but tasting and filling sides.
So first, I need to let you know I am not much of a measurer when it comes to ingredients. I have always cooked by “feel.” I will post a recipe but feel free to add or subtract whatever ingredients in any amounts you choose. These recipes are just a guide to get you where you are going for dinner.
- Outside Skirt Steak or Skirt Steak 1 lb for every 4 people
- Soy Sauce several dashes up to 1/4 cup
- Lime
- Olive Oil around 2 tablespoonsful
- Balsamic Vinegar or balsamic glaze
- Worcestershire sauce-several dashes
- Granulated garlic powder- a dash or two
- Cumin – 1 t or to taste
- Coriander – 1 t or to taste
- Italian Parsley- 1 bunch, chopped
- Cilantro – I bunch, chopped
- Oregano – I bunch, chopped
- Red Wine Vinegar 1/4 cup
- Garlic – 2 cloves, smashed and diced
- Olive oil 1/2 cup
- salt and pepper to taste
- red pepper flakes – a dash or two to taste
- Avocado 1 or 2 ripe and diced
- Veggies for grilling such as sliced squash, eggplant and whatever else you love to grill.
- In a plastic resealable bag, add the meat.
- In a bowl, add the next 7 ingredients, mix well and pour over meat in bag.
- Reseal and marinate for one hour up to overnight.
- While the meat is marinating, make the Chimichurri.
- Either use a food processor or chop by hand. Works both ways.
- Except for the avocado, mix the last 10 ingredients together well adjusting for salt and pepper.
- Add the red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- Mix all ingredients well and store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Fold in avocados just before the Chimichurri is served.
- Start your grill.
- Brush sliced veggies (eggplant and yellow squash) lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper
- Cook skirt steaks until medium well, turning to keep from burning.
- Slice on bias and serve with Chimichurri.
Mediterranean Broccoli Salad with a Greek-Flair
Part of following a lifestyle of healthy eating is finding ways to incorporate lots of veggies in your daily meals. We love broccoli and try to make lots of vegetable salads during the summer.
Blanched and cooled Broccoli tops
Feta cheese
Sun-dried tomato slices
Olives -sliced and your favorite
Purple onion slices, whatever amount you like
1 Lemon, juiced
Olive oil-a couple of tablespoonfuls or so
Greek Seasoning – your absolute favorite
Dried oregano
Place all in bowl, toss and chill.
Grilled veggies are just the best from the grill. This method of cooking seems to bring out the best in their flavors and leftovers can be used in salads, omelets etc.
Here’s my baby Santa Maria Grill insert that is fits into my PK Grill. This size is just right for a quick meal for a small family week night meal.
Here’s my BIG BAD Santa Maria Grill made right here in Texas. SHE’S A BEAST! This is perfect for cooking meals which has several components such as variety of meats and vegetables. It cooks like a dream!
