Cookbook Review: CIG to Grilling

Grilling is one of my favorite cooking techniques, and I was thrilled to discover The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grilling by Don Mauer. This book is packed with great grilling recipes that will please novice grillers as well as those who have been enjoying cooking in the great outdoors for years.

Background and Introduction

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grilling starts off by defining and giving a brief overview of the history of grilling and barbecuing. Readers will have an opportunity to learn about how different types of grills work and well as the pros and cons of gas versus charcoal grills. You'll also learn about various types of grill accessories. If you're thinking about purchasing a grill in the near future, you'll find this information to be invaluable.

Recipe Categories

The recipe sections of this book are organized by the type of dish. The book includes complete sections as follows: Rubs, Marinades, Brines, and Sauces; Burgers and other Bun Foods; Beef, Bison, and Lamb; Poultry and Pork; Seafood; and an eclectic section titled Everything Else .

My Favorite CIG to Grilling Recipes

Every recipe I have tried from this book is terrific. It's hard to narrow my choices down to just a few favorite dishes, and I'm sure the ones you love the best aren't likely to be the same as mind.

My favorite grilling recipes from the CIG to Grilling include:

• Beer and Brown Sugar Soaked Barbecue Ribs (a delicious technique for preparing grilled rips with an awesome marinade that includes beer, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, and other seasonings)
• Beer and Mustard Beef Marinade (a unique combination of beer, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and a number of spices that adds rich and delicious flavor to any cut of meat)
• Black Jack Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce (you can't go wrong with a barbecue sauce that combines Jack Daniels whiskey, coffee, brown sugar, and cider vinegar, among other ingredients)
• Fire and Spice Rib Rub (a delicious blend of spices that includes three types of pepper, sweet paprika, cumin, chili poser, and several additional spices)

If you want to learn more about how to cook on any type of grill, you can't go wrong with this book. I come from a family full of grilling enthusiasts. My house has a built in brick charcoal grill, which my husband and I actually use more than the gas grill that occupies space on our patio. I am always looking for new grilling recipe ideas. This book is probably the best grilling cookbook I have come across, and I have certainly looked at quite a few.