Are you stuck in a food rut, making the same meals over and over again? Well, you’re not alone. With cookouts and barbecue grilling still in full swing this September perhaps it’s time to get out of that rut. But how?
Culinary experts advise that taking a “risk” on an ingredient or flavor you’re not familiar can be very helpful in getting you out of a cooking rut.
Sure, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers will always be standard fare during the summer months and this weekend, but isn’t “variety the spice of life?” Here are some savory grilling recipes that should inspire you to try fresh ideas. They all have one thing in common: that special umami characteristic that will make your taste buds think ‘wow’. Promise! And MSG as an ingredient in these recipes will give your cooking creations that extra umami burst – yes, More Savory Goodness!
These smokin’-good dishes range from beef and chicken to grilled vegetables that are prepared on an outdoor grill.
Talk about savory goodness!
These Sesame-Ginger Grilled Vegetables (see recipe below) are a real treat. “This umami-packed grilled veggie side dish is one you’ll come back to again and again. The flavor bomb Sesame-Ginger Marinade soaks in and flavors broccolini and baby bok choy in a most delightful way. Add a little char from the grill, and you have a seriously delicious vegetable dish on your hands.”
You must give these BBQ Chicken Thighs a shot. The zesty marinade and the hearty thigh meat flavor are key to this extraordinarily savory dish.
Not forgetting about always-popular BBQ wings, Lette’s Cajun Chicken Wings and Spicy Rub is a recipe that’s a real crowd-pleaser.
This Spice Rubbed Grilled Ribeye Steak recipe is crazy good.“The combination of spices, lemon and hot sauce will drive your taste buds wild!”
Okay, fire up those grills and get your savory (umami) taste buds ready…
Asian Sesame-Ginger Grilled Vegetables
Asian Sesame-Ginger Grilled Vegetables
The flavor bomb Sesame-Ginger Marinade soaks in and flavors the broccolini and baby bok choy in a most delightful way.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sesame oil
- 1/4 cup peanut oil
- 3 Tbsp. seasoned rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger
- 2 Tbsp. Asian chili-garlic sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Thai basil fresh, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp. fish sauce
- 1 shallot medium, thinly sliced
- 3 10-12 oz. bunches broccolini
- 12 baby bok choy
- Kosher salt optional
- black pepper optional
- sesame seeds optional
Instructions
-
Except for the broccoli and bok choy, combine all 10 marinade ingredients in a 1-gallon zippered plastic freezer bag.
-
Add all vegetables and gently massage bag until all vegetables are coated in marinade. Seal bag, squeezing out excess air. Lay bag flat on a small rimmed baking sheet, and place in refrigerator.
-
Chill 2 hours, turning bag once or twice.
-
Remove from refrigerator; let stand 20 minutes.
-
Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F to 450°F).
-
Remove vegetables from bag, reserving marinade. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
-
Grill broccolini and bok choy, uncovered, until tender-crisp and grill marks appear, about 5 minutes per side. (You may need to turn more often, since the vegetables are delicate.)
-
Drizzle grilled vegetables with reserved marinade.
BBQ Chicken Thighs
BBQ Chicken Thighs
The zesty marinade and the hearty thigh meat flavor are key to this extraordinarily savory dish.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. boneless chicken thighs
- 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp. tabasco sauce
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 pieces ginger crushed
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. sake
- 1/2 tsp. MSG (umami seasoning)
Instructions
-
Remove skin from chicken thighs if desired. Set chicken aside.
-
To make the marinade, mix the remaining ingredients in a shallow dish.
-
Place the chicken in the marinade. Cover and marinate up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.
-
Cook on a preheated charcoal or gas grill, turning once, until chicken is thoroughly cooked; chicken should reach internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) and will be firm and opaque.
Lette’s Cajun Chicken Wings and Spicy Rub
Lette’s Cajun Chicken Wings and Spicy Rub
These always-popular BBQ wings are a real crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs. chicken wings
- Wicker’s® Marinade can be found in grocery stores or online
- gallon plastic bags to marinate wings
For Lette’s Spicy Rub:
- 3 cups salt
- 1/4 cup Ac’cent® Flavor Enhancer*
- 3/4 cup paprika
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
- 1/4 cup onion powder
- 1/4 cup black pepper
- 1/2 cup cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup red peppers crushed
Instructions
For Lette’s Spicy Rub:
-
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Note: This will make more than you will need, so put the excess in a tightly closed jar for future use.
For Chicken:
-
Marinate wings in Wickers® Marinade for at least 2 hrs. (or longer).
-
Heat grill to about 350 degrees F.
-
After taking wings out of marinade, sprinkle generously with Lette's Spicy Rub (above) and place on grill; turn the wings often and cook to your desired doneness.
Recipe Notes
*Learn about Ac’cent Flavor Enhancer.
Recipe source: Yummly.com.
Photo courtesy of Park City
Spice Rubbed Grilled Ribeye Steak
Spice Rubbed Grilled Ribeye Steak
“The combination of spices, lemon and hot sauce will drive your taste buds wild!”
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/3 tsp. hot pepper sauce
- 4 ¼ lb. boneless beef rib-eye steaks
- 2 Tbsp. Ac’cent® Flavor Enhancer*
- 4 slices lemon
- parsley
Instructions
-
Combine first 4 ingredients in small bowl. Blend in oil and hot pepper sauce to form a paste. Rub mixture on steaks.
-
Prepare barbecue to a medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with Ac’cent®. Grill about 5 minutes on each side or to desired doneness.
-
Cut steaks into 1/2-inch-thick slices on a cutting board; garnish with lemon and parsley to serve.
Recipe Notes
*Learn about Ac’cent Flavor Enhancer.
Recipe source: Accentflavor.com.
Photo courtesy of Alex Munsell @Unsplash
Featured photo courtesy of Louis Hansel on Unsplash
* * * *
For More Savory Grilling Recipes…
