Cooking School

COOKING SCHOOL
TIPS AND TRICKS FROM THE SOUTH’S MOST TRUSTED KITCHEN
Dividing RuleUpgrade Your Cookout Great gear and clever hacks for top-notch summer grilling
1Say Goodbye to Wooden Skewers
Try this sustainable option instead
Choose stainless steel skewers for your kebabs. Sturdier than wood or bamboo, they don’t require soaking and are reusable. We like the OXO 6-Piece Grilling Skewer Set, which features a flat design to keep ingredients from spinning. Their long handles are ideal for grabbing with tongs, and the sharp tips easily pierce meat, veggies, and more for effortless threading. Bonus: They’re dishwasher-safe. $15/set of six; oxo.com

Dividing Rule-1712669376Three Kebab Commandments
1 Don’t combine other proteins with chicken on the same skewer; it takes longer to cook.
KITCHEN TIP DASHED LINE 2 Use dry rubs and spice mixes instead of brushing on sauces that can burn.  KITCHEN TIP DASHED LINE-17126694403
Keep all ingredients roughly the same size for even heating and easy eating.
2DITCH THAT OLD, RUSTY BRUSH
______
An onion will remove stuck-on food with ease

It’s never fun cleaning grill grates, but there’s a surprising solution that tackles the mess without harsh chemicals or wire brushes: half of a raw onion. Use tongs or a long grill fork to rub the onion, cut side down, over the hot grates. The heat will release steam from the vegetable, which will help loosen cooked-on bits. For extra cleaning power, spray the grates with a little lemon juice or vinegar first.

3 TAKE IT INSIDE
______ Pick the right pan to bring the fun indoors

If it’s raining or you’re not in the mood for open-fi re cooking, one work-around for indoor barbecues is a grill pan. Cast-iron ones tend to be more durable than nonstick versions, and they retain heat better too. Be sure to preheat your pan on medium high before adding food to achieve good charring. To test whether it’s hot enough, flick a little water across the pan’s surface; it should sizzle. To make up for the lack of flame-kissed flavor, season your food with smoky ingredients like paprika, bacon, and chipotle peppers. Minimize cleanup by avoiding sugary sauces.

Southern Staple Hidden Valley Original Ranch
4True to its name, this condiment’s story started on a farm called Hidden Valley (yes, it was a real place) in the mountains near Santa Barbara, California. Founder Steve Henson and his wife, Gayle, purchased the 120-acre property in 1954, turning it into a dude ranch where Henson invented his now-revered dressing. Soon, guests were asking to buy it by the jar, which evolved into a mail-order business before becoming the company we know today. Although not born in the South, it’s regularly found in many of our refrigerators. Here are four fun ways to use it besides on a salad.

KITCHEN TIP DASHED LINE-3■ Swap it in for marinara sauce on a pizza. ■ Dip chicken in it before dredging and frying. ■ Fold it into mac and cheese for a zesty kick. ■ Mix it into the filling for deviled eggs.
5
photographs by GREG DUPREE
ILLUSTRATIONS: KENDYLL HILLEGAS; FOOD STYLING: JULIAN HENSARLING; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY CoverSherwin Williams Ad 1Sherwin Williams Ad 2Sherwin Williams Ad 3Sherwin Williams Ad 4Charleston Ad 1Charleston Ad 2Marvin Ad 1Marvin Ad 2Food & Wine Charleston AdContentsSketchers AdLife at SLSweet Home Alabama AdWestlake AdCenterpiecesAmerican Cruise Lines AdIvy's KitchenBountyDining InFamily TraditionLandscape DesignSL Idea House AdPedigree Dentastix Ad 1Pet FriendlyPedigree Dentastix Ad 2The GrapevineSL Plants AdBelgard AdHistoric RenoTimberTech AdSystane AdVetter Stone AdClopay AdCommand + Claw AdJames Hardie AdJames Hardie Ad 2Gardens of the SouthFresh Step Outstretch AdPella Ad 1Pella Ad 2ContainersSL House Plans AdGlad AdPropane Ad 1Propane Ad 2The Grumpy GardenerEndless Summer AdPurina Beneful Ad 1Purina Beneful Ad 2SL Inspired Communities AdLong WeekendSL Travel Planner AdBay WatchBounty in the BayouStrawberry Shortcake ForeverReynolds Wrap AdSuppertimeStouffer's AdSouthern Hospitality AdSouthern Affairs AdLighten UpSouthern Hospitality Ad 2HospitalityOver EasyEnsure AdPiece of CakeCooking SchoolRecipe IndexMama Knows BestPurina AdCafe Appliances AdPioneer Woman's Furniture CollectionSouthern Living Cookbook Ad