The joy of cooking, indoors and outdoors
Anyone who knows me knows that I love to cook. It’s not just my hobby, it’s my form of relaxation and joy. My favorite thing to do is have people over for a meal that I’ve planned, prepped, pureed; stirred, sauteed, and served.
So much good conversation happens when you’re cooking and friends and family are gathered around!
There is nothing better than grilling meat on an outside grill and relaxing with people you care about, great food in front of you and stimulating conversation all around. I think the French call it, “dining alfresco,” or cooking, “la cuisine en pleine air.” (Just to channel my inner Julia Child!)
So my outdoor grill is very important to me….Wait. It’s not just important. It’s an essential part of my chef persona!
Have you considered an outdoor kitchen?
Did you know that outdoor kitchens in the warm Southern and Southwestern states are a great investment? A study has shown that outdoor kitchens in warm-weather states like Florida are likely to garner a 100% - 200% ROI. (Return on investment.) Even conservative estimates for states farther north suggest that there’s a 55% ROI on outdoor kitchens. That’s huge!
In a hot real estate market, your outdoor kitchen could make you even more profit. (But even if you’re not interested in selling, think about how much enjoyment you get from a great cooking set-up outside!)
Lots of reasons to consider an outdoor kitchen
In Florida, we have an extended outdoor living season, so it’s nice to have a space where you can get out of the house and enjoy the natural world.
If you cook OUTSIDE, you eliminate these problems:
- Trapped smells.
- Greasy stovetops.
- Crowded spaces.
- Added heat.
An outdoor grill and cooking set-up allows you to do these things:
- Entertain bigger groups
- Keep the dirt and traffic outside
- Showcase your landscaping
- Be closer to flowers and plants
Oh, the joy of brining and dining!
Because I’m a “foodie” and “cook,” I adore kitchen gadgets. Pots, pans, spatulas, graters, dicers, blenders, processors, and squeezers are all part of my cooking addiction. And don’t even get me started on spices, rubs, and salts. You can never have too much of a good thing, right?
Do you know about brining? (It’s my Chef Billy secret weapon!)
If you like to cook, you probably do, but if brining is a new term, let me tell you about it.
Basically, it’s a technique that “preserves and seasons food while enhancing the tenderness with flavor.” I discovered the art of brining several years ago. It’s often used on meats that could get dry or tough, but I’ve “brined” pork chops, chicken, turkey, and pork roast. Sometimes I soak the meat in a liquid composed of salt, water, and other herbs or flavorings. (Google “brining meat” and you’ll come up with hundreds of recipes.”) Other times, I’ve created a dry rub with coarse salts and spices.
Try it. You’ll like it! And those guests you invite to share your food? They’ll think you’re a grilling guru…a maestro of meat….a champion chef, for sure.
It’s time to crank up the air and gas up the grill!
Now that the temps are getting hotter, it’s time to make sure that your air conditioning is up to the task of cooling that hot Florida air. Call us for a Precision Tune-Up that will prevent problems before they happen. ServiceOne has one of the best deals in the industry. Most businesses are charging $125 for a PTU. Ours is just $99!
But that’s not all!
Since I love grilling so much, I’m excited to offer you our “gas up the grill!” special.
We’ll give you a FREE estimate on the cost of installing a gas line for your grill – just in time for Father’s Day! (What better gift could there be?)
And, if after you get your estimate, you book the job before the end of June, 2022, you’ll get a $100 DISCOUNT on the job!
Call us. We’ll help you enjoy your summer by cranking up the air and gassing up the grill!