Charcoal Grill Time

The weather has been outstanding here in Oklahoma for the month and has allowed us to charcoal grill a lot this month. The mid February snow storm came and went and now the bad weather is out of the way I hope. Can you believe 85 degrees today? Nice.

I noticed that each spring I find some of my charcoal grill equipment is either in need of repair or replacement. Usually is is the small things that need replaced like the batteries in the grilling light and fan combo, the cheap rusted out drip pan on my over priced Char-Broil unit and the grill brush.  I am all set now. Take a few minutes to check you equipment as well.

Last Sunday was another one of those 80 degree days as well. We decided to invite a couple for friends over for dinner that night for charcoal grilled steaks. We fired up the charcoal grill and while waiting for the coals to get ready my girlfriend and I decided it was time to start back on our Summer Time evening ritual with a Mojito for cocktail hour. Pam makes the very best Mojito I have ever tasted.

Pam’s Mojito Recipe:

• 6 to 8 Spearmint leaves (fresh)
• 3 or 4 lime slices (1/2 of a lime)
• 1 tablespoon of simple syrup
• 1 1/2 shots of Bacradi White Rum
• Club Soda

In a large glass about 16 oz place the spearmint leaves and the lime slices, saving one slice for later. Uses a muddler or something else to crush the limes and the spearmint leaves. You want to get the spearmint leaves and lime slices crushed really good. Add the simple syrup and rum. Fill the glass with ice and then top fill the glass with the Club Soda within an inch of the top of the glass. Top the drink off  with another lime slice(sqeezed) and another spearmint leaf and stir.

It might take a couple of times making these cocktails until you get the blend that fits your taste but they are the most refreshing drink on a warm spring and summer evening. We have decided it’s officially Mojito time.

Back to Charcoal Grilling

Back to the grill, by the time we finished our first cocktail the charcoals were ready and I commenced to cooking 2 large ribeye steaks and 2 meduim sized filets. My trusty ol Weber Kettle Charcoal grill worked fine and in about 12 minutes the steaks were all done to perfection. While I was grilling, the girls completed the meal with a fresh salad and some awesome scalloped potatoes.

After dinner was filled with conversations of what has been going on at the lake and what we are looking forward to this year. Grand Lake has a lot to do and none of us can wait until Sharky’s opens back up. We finished the dinner time off with a slice of hot apple pie. Sunday evening dinners always turn out great and no one leaves the table hungry.

The rest of that evening was spent watching a movie but I can’t remember what it was. Our friends left after the movie and Pam and I settled in for the night.

We had a great time grilling and it was all because of the weather, the Mojitos and our good friends. I hope everyone is taking advantage of this time of the year to check their charcoal grill, their charcoal grilling accessories and doing what we like best, backyard cookouts at Grand Lake.