How to Achieve the Perfect Indoor Barbecue with an Electrolux Range
A good old-fashioned barbecue is a summer staple—but what if you don’t have an outdoor grill? Whether you’re a barbecue newbie or you just don’t have the outdoor space to fit a grill, don’t fret—you can still host a delicious barbecue right from your kitchen, and Electrolux is here to make everything simple. Follow these tips for cooking up all your favorite barbecue foods using only your range.
Invest in a Grill Pan
A good grill pan is an absolute must for range barbecuing. Pick out something large and sturdy that gives you plenty of space to work on. Look for cast iron if you can find it—a well-seasoned cast iron griddle or skillet is the perfect grilling surface. Electrolux’s line of grill pans are a one-way ticket to a simple and delicious grilling experience, and they fit perfectly any Electrolux range. Food cooked on a grill pan can be even more delicious than dishes made on an outdoor grill, because meats are able to cook in their own fat, enhancing their natural flavor. To get that classic smoky flavor that makes barbecue so delicious, cover up the pan with aluminum foil (or a lid if it comes with one), and let the food simmer on low heat. Be sure to give your meat a quarter turn partway through the cooking process, to give it those beautiful, crosshatched sear marks that make barbecue foods look so delicious. Guests will be blown away by your grill skills!
Prep Your Food
There’s no faster way to ruin a cookout than a visit from the fire department! Prep your food before it goes on the range by lightly brushing your meats and veggies with olive oil, especially if you’re using a dry rub. The oil will coat the herbs and seasonings and prevent them from falling off or catching fire. You may want to trim excess fat from your meat too—burning fat can quickly smoke up your kitchen. If you’re cooking skewered meat or veggies, be sure to soak the wooden sticks for about 20 minutes before getting them near the heat. This will keep them from burning up or falling apart before your food is evenly cooked.
Don’t Skimp on Seasonings
Seasonings are even more important than the type of grill you use when it comes to achieving a perfect barbecue. Give all your meats a delicious spice rub before you go to work. Smoked salt and chipotle powder can help infuse your food with the smoky flavor and natural heat your get from an outdoor barbecue. Spices like paprika, pepper, and garlic are a safe bet for just about any kind of meat, but be sure to pick flavors that complement your dish—seasonings like lemon pepper might not be strong enough for a hearty beef, and bold flavors like ground cumin could overwhelm your fish filet. Mix your seasonings just right and you’ll be well on your way to barbecue perfection.
Broil It Up
No grill pan? No problem! Just use your Electrolux range’s built-in broiler setting for a perfect indoor char. It won’t give you the same naturally smoky flavor or the fancy crosshatching you get from a griddle, but you can still give meats and vegetables a beautiful golden glow using just your broiler. With the right dry rub, you can even replicate that smoky, barbecue taste without the use of charcoal. Use a broiler pan or baking sheet with raised edges and keep the food at least 4 inches away from the heat. Most meats will be perfectly cooked in less than 10 minutes, with a fresh-off-the-grill taste.