Ultimate Test

July 08, 2015

 

What is the Ultimate Test of man? Providing for one’s family, building a shelter with your own two hands, benching double your bodyweight… Whatever it is, you have to prove yourself. Forget the notion that you can live however you want and that no one should assess your worth. Because no matter how much you want to believe it, the fact is that once you let time pass there’s no catching up. So, what will you do today to make yourself better? Something every man should know how to do and do well is cook over an open flame. Let’s forget about primitive diets and cavemen culture for a moment, and focus on providing a necessary summer service. John Davies, Founder of Renegade training, will discuss what it takes to be a grill master.

 
 

 
 

“Part of our daily ritual just as our early morning rush began to slow was BBQing. I’m reasonably sure our culinary skills stopped at filleting the day’s catch and didn’t match what you see today but the meals were the stuff of legends and very much part of our passage into manhood. I can assure you we weren’t the best cooks but the line was long when we BBQ’d as it created quite the local following.

 

Deflect attention to the food all you wish but the aroma of a BBQ signals not only food you enjoy but peace, a time to relax and memories with friends. That said, if you have never BBQ’d there a few simple tips to make the most of the moment and give you the allure of someone who knows what they’re doing.

 

1. Apron – Bold, daring and likely with your favorite team’s insignia, an apron for BBQing states you’ve been here before, not to mention you prefer to avoid food splatter on the Hawaiian motif shirt (or InnerCircle Barbell Club Tee) underneath. Seriously though, an apron for time behind the grill is quite important and saves issues of food mess and endless clean-up.
2. Take your time – Allow the meat to marinate prior to cooking and once cooked, take from the grill and further provide a few minutes before serving. This will result in a better-tasting product and further aids a relaxing afternoon at the grill.
3. Choice of Meat – Quite naturally, only purchase meat to suit your budget but ask the butcher behind the counter for the best available steaks for your needs. I’ve never met a butcher who doesn’t take pride in their craft or that isn’t helpful.
4. Set the Table – The art of the entire experience of BBQing is sitting around the picnic table, talking with friends and enjoying the meal. Set the table to suit your needs beforehand, and possibly enlist a few friends to help. Take your time to enjoy the process. Fellowship, oh how I can be so very subtle.
5. Clean the Grill – Before cooking, ensure the grill is clean from previous cooking. Follow these instructions for Cleaning and Preparing your grill.
6. Tub of Ice – Help keep whatever beverages you have available nice and cold. A grill master always has chilled beverages available, especially on a hot day!
7. Turn electronics off – Unplug from the digital world and PLUG INTO LIFE. I cannot express how important this is. Life is not lived online and not every moment needs to be documented to garner a like.
8. Simplicity – Keep the meal simple. Steak, poultry or fish with grilled vegetables and a possible salad is a feast. The following marinade has served me well for either the most expensive or most affordable cut.

 

Meat and/or Poultry Marinade

 

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Homemade Ketchup
• 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons Worchester Sauce
• 1/2 Cup Blackstrap Molasses
• 1 Clove of Fresh Garlic, Minced
• 1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cayenne Pepper
• Dash of Liquid Smoke (optional)

 

Preparation:
Combine ingredients in bowl and place in large cooking pot. Cook to near boiling point slowly, then simmer for ten minutes and allow it to thicken.

 

Apply marinade to choice of meat, steaks preferably 1 to 1½ thickness, or chicken and allow it to marinade for at least 1 hour in a covered dish. If you are using steaks, remove them from the refrigerator about an hour before grilling as they are best cooked at room temperature.

 

Pre-heat grill to a high heat and lightly coat grill grates with olive oil.

 

It’s always advisable to use a meat thermometer in order to bring the meat to an appropriate internal temperature: (Rare- 120° F/48° C, Medium- 130° F/55 C°).

 

Finally, a reminder: be patient and enjoy these moments. Part of physical culture and living the life of an athlete is appreciating this great gift called life. Today is a gift, #LiveModern.”

 
 

 
 

Prepared by John Davies

 

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Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of USPlabs or any employee thereof. Examples used within this article are only examples. USPlabs is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the authors of this article. Content contributors are not employees of USPlabs. Authors may have been remunerated by USPlabs.

 

The information provided in this article, as well as this web-site blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice for any condition. Always consult a qualified medical professional before beginning any nutritional program or exercise program. By reading this disclaimer, you hereby agree and understand that the information provided in this column is not medical advice and relying upon it shall be done at your sole risk.

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