The Grill

... this is gonna get messy.

What we have here, on this initial post, is the baseline photograph of my "first" propane powered grill. Although I prefer the taste and drama of charcoal, living in an urban setting limits my choice of fuel to Electricity or Propane. I gave away my underpowered George Foreman using the "Free" sign method in the alley, and worked to get the shiny new stainless steel 2-burner portable grill up and running.

I've been playing with fire grilling food for a few decades. I considered it a rite of passage to grill a plate of hamburgers for the family. I still remember filling the patio with so much rosemary smoke that my mom thought that the fog had rolled in early. I was surprised that I did not set off the smoke alarms inside the house. I don't remember if I was more paranoid about the patties falling apart, or burning them.

With no daughters to raise, Mom indulged any and every curiosity I expressed in the kitchen. I still claim that I was enticed by the fudge and cookies. I was even more intrigued with the care and passion that Mom put into making our meals. It takes a great deal of dedication to cream butter and sugar together with a wooden spoon, but at the same time, mom kept things simple, and timely. Her taps on the window let me know when it was time to flip the burgers.

If I were pressed, I'd have to say that they were the best burgers ever. A slice of process Swiss-cheese, sweet pickles, mustard and ketchup. And the rosemary smokey flavor. I devoured the burger so fast that I wanted to eat a second, and a third. I finished the fries instead, and the applesauce. The feedback loop of being pleasure was multiplied by the satisfaction I experienced with my own cooking. And the rosemary flavor was fantastic. We had bushels of the stuff growing in the back yard and used it naught.

Regardless of my memories, that food is gone now, and has to be replaced on a regular basis. Perhaps I replace it too often. Perhaps not often enough. I do like taste and flavor to my food, and I do experiment. I returned to grilling a little more than a year ago after taking a long hiatus. I suppose that being limited to an electric George Foreman patio grill was a major reason for the departure, and having access to a larger propane grill on the rooftop deck was responsible for rekindling my grilling flame.

In addition to the serial updates and recipes as we watch my new grill change with use and exposure, I have imported a ready library of past rooftop gill exploits. I am happy to report that the original community grill that is featured in the posts was indeed recalled for safety, and a new replacement has been acquired and installed. The new community grill will get it's due as well, while we watch to see how my portable stainless model holds up.

Grill Up!