Here in Atlanta, people love to have barbecues. The summer seasons have the uncanny ability to appeal to one’s desire for really good grilled food. But if you’re a resident in the metro area, you understand that grilling outside is not always an option, for a number of reasons.
If you happen to live in a tight-knit apartment community, more than likely the resident management has put a restriction on using barbecue grills on patios and balconies (for obvious reasons). As an alternative, some apartment complexes provide for their residents, outdoor picnic areas with stationary grills. But anyone whose apartment happens to be a great distance from the grilling stations, knows how difficult it is to pull off a “barbecue soiree” while attempting to transport multiple items from place to place-while watching the food and entertaining guests.
There is a way however, to have that cook-out without the hassle of grills, messy charcoal, and insects: an indoor barbecue. Having an indoor barbecue is the perfect cure for the winter blues, or when the summer days’ weather is not conducive to outdoor festivities. And it’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before…
Setting the Stage
Depending upon the climate in your city, it may be impossible to grill foods outdoors. Whether the temperature is icy or steamy, having a cook-out indoors is a kitschy way of celebrating a pivotal element of American culture.
Cover your table with a festive looking checkerboard tablecloth. These can be purchased cheaply at stores like Big Lots, Wal-Mart, or even your local drug store. If you really want the feel of an outdoor party, couple the festive table decorations with a few well-placed portable folding chairs (which cost as little as $10 each) and you’ll have the perfect setting.
Where’s the Beef?
Juicy burgers, steaks, and chicken fillets are to be had if you think outside the box. The reason that people love barbecues so much (aside from simply being outdoors) is because of the wonderful hickory smoked flavor of the food. Capturing the essence of barbecues in this way can be problematic when cooking indoors. The secret to sealing that grilled flavor into your savory meats is all in the ingredients.
Liquid Smoke” is the key to getting your meats to have that outdoor grilled flavor. Liquid smoke is a concentrated liquid that made by burning hickory (or mesquite chips) and then condensing the smoke into a liquid form. There are several brands to choose from; Hormel, Wright’s, and Lazy Kettle are all excellent brands to try. Many of them are very low in calories and contain no sodium, and can be found in the grocery aisle which contains sauces, condiments, dressings, and marinades. For the best tasting grilled flavor, use just a few drops of the liquid smoke (it is extremely concentrated) in your marinade, and refrigerate your meat overnight.
“Barbecued” meats seasoned this way can certainly be prepared with a traditional stove/oven. But if you happen to have a George Foreman (or similar) fat-reducing grilling device, your meats will be cooked much better—and will even have those wonderful grill lines!
On the Side…
In case you’re wondering what happened to all those delectable side dishes that are the staples of every cookout, have no fear. The best cookouts always have baked beans, veggies, and an assortment of finger foods. Your indoor barbecue should be no different. Give baked beans an authentic make-over by seasoning them with onions, dry mustard, a hint of barbecue sauce, and a few drops of that wonderful liquid smoke. Place them in a covered foil pan, into the oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes. Make an easy coleslaw in as little as 15 minutes with a pre-packaged cole slaw mix, and Miracle Whip Dressing.
Grilling other vegetables may be a bit tricky. So explore options, like stuffed peppers or boiled corn on the cob. Lay out a few bowls of chips or other nosh items, and your barbecue will be complete.
In addition to the great side dishes, you’ll want to make sure that you have all the necessary condiments on hand. Provide your guests with various barbecue sauce flavors. Don’t forget to slice up the lettuce, onion, and tomatoes for your burgers. With the right ingredients and a little ingenuity-you can whip up an indoor barbecue with minimal effort.
