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Memorial Day: cookbooks for grilling outdoors

These seven, recently released cookbooks could give you the steps and recipes you need to have a grill-tastic summer, whatever your tastes or skill level may be.

2. Grill Master by Fred Thompson

'Grill Master' by Fred Thompson (WeldonOwen, 223 pp.)

  • By Caroline Kelly Staff writer

In a straight-shooting cookbook from culinary icon Williams-Sonoma, Fred Thompson provides delicious recipes that are guaranteed to make you a grilling pro in "Grill Master: The ultimate arsenal of back-to-basics recipes for the grill." With a whole section at the beginning dedicated to “Grilling Basics,” Thompson explains not just the tips of how to grill well, but why these methods work. With explanations of key tools, basic methods, different fuels, food safety, grill maintenance and meat section, you’ll be ready to get started.

The recipe selection is just as comprehensive – the basic burger, hot dog, and steak, and a dizzying array of variations of each. Thompson makes each dish relevant by basing the less meat-centric recipes around a grilled meat. The Cuban Sandwiches made with Slow-Smoked Pork Tenderloin, the Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage Paella, and the Grilled Fish Tacos with Creamy Avocado Salsa all show that with a good grilling foundation, the possibilities are endless – and delicious.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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