QUESTION: When Is It Cooked?

ANSWER: One of the toughest things in barbecue or grilling is trying to determine if your food is cooked. This generally comes with practice, and adhering to the following:

		Know the meat you are cooking (poultry, beef, pork), the cut (brisket, ribs, breast, etc.), thickness, and size.
		The temperature of your barbecue or grill should be kept constant for the best results. Remember that every time you open the lid of your grill or smoker, the internal temperature will drop. Don’t open the lid just to look, open it when you have a reason, such as adding coals, checking temperature, rotating food or mopping. If there is a wind blowing, if it is cold, damp or wet you will need to pay more attention to keeping your barbecue temperature consistent.
		If your food is getting burnt on the outside but cool on the inside you're grilling, not barbecuing. Try grilling at a lower heat temperature. This will keep the outside from becoming further charred, but allow the inside to cook. This also traps moisture and natural meat juices making for very juicy barbecue.
		When slow cooking your foods, a "smoke ring" will develop as your meat is being cooked. This smoke ring is commonly red in color and may be anywhere from 1/8 inch to perhaps 1/2 inch or more. Don’t mistake this for what appears to be uncooked food.
		Use an instant read thermometers to tell when your food is cooked. It is safe, easy and foolproof. Remember to insert the probe of your thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, staying away from bone since bone gets hotter than the actual meat.

GRILLED GARLIC AND ROSEMARY RUBBED
NEW YORK SIRLOIN STEAK

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: about 16 Minutes
Ready in: about 40 Minutes WITH refrigerating time
Makes 2 to 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 lbs. Boneless New York Sirloin Steak
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons of rosemary
2 tablespoons olive oil
cracked black pepper
salt

Directions:
1. Preheat grill to medium heat.

2. Rub both sides of the New York Sirloin Steak with olive oil then season with the salt and pepper to taste.

3. Next rub the garlic and rosemary into both sides of the steak and place he steaks in a glass dish. Cover and put in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.

4. Place the steaks on the preheated grill grid and cook uncovered 7 to 8 minutes per side. Turn with tongs to retain juiciness.

5. Remove streaks from grill and carve steaks across the grain into thin slices to serve.

GRILLED GARLIC AND HONEY PORK CHOPS I

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: about 14 Minutes
Ready in: about 2 Hours and 20 Minutes WITH marinating time
Makes 6

Ingredients:
6 center cut boneless pork chops
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons dry sherry
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

Directions:
1. Slash fatty edge of each chop in about three places without cutting into the meat (This will prevent the meat from curling during cooking.)

2. In a plastic, resealable bag, place the pork chops; then add the lemon juice, honey, soy sauce, dry sherry, garlic and parsley. Seal the bag and marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator.

3. Pre-heat the grill to high heat.

4. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan and boil 1 minute. Keep warm.

5. Reduce the grill temperature to medium; then place each pork chop on the grill grid; close the cover and grill about 7 to 8 minutes per side or until internal pork temperature reaches 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), basting each side with the marinade while grilling.

GRILLED BONELESS CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ORANGE-GINGER GLAZE

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready in: 20 Minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 boneless-skinless chicken breasts
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup orange marmalade
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 small shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat grill to medium heat.

2. In small bowl, combine marmalade, shallot, garlic, vinegar and ginger until well blended.

3. Grill boneless-skinless chicken breasts, turning occasionally and brushing with glaze, 15 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center registers 170°F. Note: Do not brush during the last 5 minutes of grilling.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH APPLE-PEAR SALSA

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Refrigerate Time: 4 to 24 Hours
Cook Time: 10 to 14 Minutes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Marinade
2/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup pear nectar
1/2 cup apple juice
2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Salsa
2 medium Granny Smith apples, quartered, cored and finely diced
2 medium Bosc pears, quartered, cored and finely diced
1 small red onion, peeled and diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. light brown sugar, packed
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. apple juice
2 Tbsp. pear nectar

Directions:
1. For marinade: In large bowl, combine olive oil, wine, pear nectar, apple juice, soy sauce, cilantro, salt and pepper. Whisk to blend. Reserve 1/2 cup of marinade in small bowl for basting. Cover and refrigerate. Arrange chicken breasts, in a single layer, in shallow baking dish. Pour remaining marinade over chicken and turn to coat. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 and up to 24 hours.

2. For salsa: In a medium bowl, combine apples, pears, onion, cilantro, brown sugar, lime juice, apple juice, and pear nectar. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

3. Preheat grill on medium-high heat. Remove chicken dish from refrigerator and remove chicken breasts to plate; discard marinade.

4. Place chicken breasts on grill and grill until cooked through, 5 - 7 minutes per side. Baste with remaining marinade as needed. Transfer chicken to plates (2 breast halves per plate) and top with salsa.

DID YOU KNOW?: Haverhill Beef's meat packages are made from the fresh, high quality meats you would buy from our display cases. Never put up and frozen; always packed when ordered. The meat packages are suitable for freezing.

Haverhill Beef stocks its deli with the finest quality products which are brought in fresh several times a week. All our deli meats and cheeses are cut fresh to order so you get the freshest product with the best flavor.

Having a party, reunion or family gathering?

Try one of Haverhill Beef's deli platters. We have various sizes to fit every occasion. All of our deli platters are made fresh to order for guaranteed satisfaction.